Work with industry to keep the resource project pipeline and Queensland moving

THE Queensland Resources Council has urged the Palaszczuk Government to focus on moving the multi-billion-dollar pipeline of resource sector projects from planning to purpose.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said while he welcomed the Government’s advertisement promoting the fact $20 billion worth of resource projects had been approved with the creation of 7000 jobs over the last four years, there was in excess of $60 billion of resource project investment in the pipeline.

“We are competing with the world for investment in the development of our resources -— coal, gas and metals. Our resources are first class. We have dedicated and skilled workers. We need the confidence that stable policy settings from government gives to secure the new projects and new jobs for Queensland,” he said.

“It’s great to celebrate the investment secured over the last four years, but no one won a race running backwards. We are in a race — commodity prices and demand is strong.

“Abrupt and unpredictable government policy and decision-making from government is our biggest threat.

“With Queensland’s unemployment rate now back over 6%, there is no better time to give the resources sector the renewed confidence to invest, employ and export for all Queenslanders.”

Mr Macfarlane said since the 2017 State election, full-time equivalent jobs in the Queensland resources sector had grown at the rate of one every 57 minutes.

www.qrc.org.au

ends