Qld banks first $8 billion trade month thanks to resources

EXPORTS from Queensland broke a new monthly record banking $8 billion ($8.033 billion) in the month of June thanks to another strong quarter from resource exports.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the latest ABS trade data revealed the State’s exports for the 12 months to June reached $86.98 billion with coal and minerals powering up 13 percent.

“Queensland’s resources sector is yet again doing the heavy lifting when it comes to exports accounting for $71 billion (new record) or 81.3 percent of the State’s total export earnings. Importantly, that’s more jobs for Queenslanders and more royalty taxes to spend on building new hospitals, schools and roads," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queensland has what the world needs. With stable policy settings, the resources sector can continue to grow and in doing so grow the State’s economy.

“We back the Premier and Minister for Trade Annastacia Palaszczuk when she noted Queensland was exporting more than Victoria and New South Wales combined.

“Both these states exported a combined value of $82 billion which is less than the value of Queensland exports. 

“These figures show Queensland is an exporting powerhouse.  Not only do our resources and energy reserves power our own state and supply the gas and electricity that southern states need, but they are also underlining both Queensland and Australia’s strong trading record.”

Mr Macfarlane said it was important Queensland continued to play to its strengths with a long-term plan for new investments and new export markets. He said QRC welcomed the appointment of senior public servant Paul Martyn as the new chief executive officer of Trade and Investment Queensland.

“Since his appointment as acting CEO in late last year, QRC and our member companies have worked with Mr Martyn and TIQ to promote even stronger trade for our resource commodities and promote incoming investment to support new projects, new jobs and new prosperity for Queensland,” Mr Macfarlance said.

www.qrc.org.au

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