Resources sector has plan to dig Queensland out of COVID-19 unemployment hole

A QUEENSLAND resources industry plan for the COVID-19 recovery will assist keeping Queenslanders in work and get more back into employment, with confirmation today the State’s jobless rate was now the nation’s highest at 8.8 percent.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the industry had worked extremely hard to flatten the curve and to keep the workers prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The resources industry is seeking an industry development plan to work in partnership with government to seize on the opportunities for new investment and new jobs across the state,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The industry needs greater certainty about the assessment and approval processes for new projects and stability on the taxes and royalties the industry pays.

“On the same day, the ABS confirms Queensland’s unemployment rate is 8.8 percent, there are 800 job vacancies in resources and energy across Queensland on Seek."

QRC’s Resource Industry Recovery Agenda is a detailed plan that has been presented to the State Government, all Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Government’s economic recovery. 

Link to the QRC’s plan https://www.qrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Resource-Industry-Recovery-Agenda_updated.pdf.

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