Record Qld export value on the back of resources

QUEENSLAND’s exports have surged to a new record of $82.8 billion – the third record month in a row – on the back of another increase in the value of coal and minerals.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the increasing value of exports was a plus for every Queenslander.

“Queensland’s commodity exports make up about 80 per cent of the state’s total exports,” Mr Macfarlane said. “Every shipment of coal, minerals or LNG adds to the budget bottom line and puts money in the bank for every Queenslander.

“Coal exports alone are worth $36.2 billion of the export total and are $5.5 billion higher than this time last year. This reinforces the important role of Queensland’s coal communities and all 316,000 people who work in or with the resources sector and who do so much to add value directly to the state’s economy.

“Today we see even more evidence of the way the resources sector is supporting regional jobs, with the official commissioning of Rio Tinto’s $2.6 billion Amrun bauxite mine project on Cape York in far north Queensland.

“When the resources sector is strong, the Queensland economy is strong to deliver for all of us," Mr Macfarlane said.

“This year the resources sector will pay a record $5.2 billion in royalty taxes to the State Government to pay for schools, hospitals and roads and build projects like the Cross River Rail.”

www.qrc.org.au

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