QRC calls on all industry to stand against anti-mining activists

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said it was disappointing to see reports that engineering firm Aurecon would end its business relationship with Adani "based on ill-informed bullying from anti-resources activists".

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said regional Queenslanders would be the ones who missed out on jobs as a result.

“All businesses and CEOs should stand up to defend the opportunities in our resources sector,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The resources sector is one of Queensland’s biggest employers. It supports more than 315,000 jobs, and over 262,000 of those jobs are in associated businesses and industries.

“The majority of those supporting jobs are in regional Queensland.

“So it’s disappointing to see any business give in to bullying tactics from activists, many of who are acting illegally to disrupt lives and businesses," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Ultimately every company can make its own business decisions. But it’s local workers who will miss out through the lost opportunities of working on new investments and new resources projects.“

The resources sector creates one in every eight jobs in Queensland and generates one in every five dollars, according to QRC figures.

"It delivers for every Queenslander through more than $5.2 billion in royalty taxes and making up 80 percent of Queensland’s export earnings," Mr Macfarlane said.

“It provides jobs and opportunities in every town and city in Queensland. All Queenslanders should be proud of our resources industry and the incredible things it helps build. 

“We should stand up against the bullying tactics of anti-resources activists, most of who rely on the very industry they demonise for their everyday lives.

“The QRC backs our resources workers and we hope to see everyone in our great industry do the same.”

www.qrc.org.au

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