THE Queensland Government’s North Queensland Regional Plan has reinforced a strong future for the resources sector.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the Plan, released by State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Cameron Dick last week, specifically focussed on the future opportunities for the mining industry.

Mr Macfarlane said it was important that policies were put in place to back in the potential outlined in the plan, in particular a commitment to clear assessment processes and timelines.

“This report points to the great prospectivity of North Queensland in our powerhouse commodities of coal and natural gas, as well as other valuable commodities such as gold and metallic ore,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“QRC believes it is essential that the State Government has a plan to develop these commodities, and capitalise on the rich prospects in critical minerals that drive our modern economies.

“To make the most of these opportunities Queensland must have a clear framework and timelines for project assessments.

“If we want to attract the investment in new projects that create new regional jobs, we must ensure that global investors have faith in Queensland’s laws and regulations to allow ongoing resources development alongside environmental and regional benefits.”

Mr Macfarlane said the QRC has worked with the government to promote new discoveries and protect existing jobs within the industry and for those Queenslanders, local businesses and communities indirectly benefiting from a strong resources sector.

“I want to thank Minister Dick and his department for their consultative approach on the development of the landmark North Queensland Regional Plan.  The Plan balances the current challenges of the industry and the future opportunities for it and the people of North Queensland,” he said.

Mr Macfarlane said QRC welcomed the Plan’s focus on three areas of opportunity for the resources sector. These are:

1. supporting the identification and extraction of precious metals and rare earth elements. There is expected to be an increase in demand, due to their increasing use in emerging technologies (such as electric cars, renewable energy products and low-emission power sources);
2. expanding the region’s support capacity (supply chain, logistics and other allied services) for the North West mineral province, Bowen Basin and Northern Galilee Basin;
3. investigating and promoting new technologies to improve the sustainability and capabilities of mining and resource extraction. Technological advancement will also help improve the viability of extracting existing mineral deposits in the region. 

Mr Macfarlane said these opportunities, along with regulatory stability, streamlined assessment processes and land access, would underpin the sector’s continued growth and will deliver more jobs and more investment for North Queensland.

“The Queensland resources sector is essential to the wellbeing of the Queensland economy.  We want to see all sides of politics commit to polices that support new investment and new jobs,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“QRC commits to working with all sides of the Queensland Parliament on policies that maximise regional and state-wide returns from investment in the North.”

www.qrc.org.au

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CPA AUSTRALIA and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand have joined 14 of the world’s largest professional accounting organisations committing to a call to action in response to climate change. The organisations represent 2.5 million accountants globally. 

Chief executive of CPA Australia, Andrew Hunter said, "Climate change presents significant economic and social challenges both now and in the future – challenges that require action from governments, businesses and people from all walks of life.”

“Accountants are uniquely placed and qualified to help businesses and organisations deal with climate change,” said Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand chief executive Rick Ellis. “They can quantify the risks, and their financial consequences, providing robust, reliable and transparent information for decision makers, investors and the public.” 

The statement includes actions the accounting profession can take, as well as a commitment from the chief executives of the organisations to support members in the coming months with the resources, information and training needed to meet the challenges ahead.

The transition for economies will rely on adapting economic policies and associated market mechanisms. The accounting profession is central to helping achieve both of these important objectives.

Mr Hunter also said, "The call to action is consistent with, and complements actions taken by, a broad range of regulatory agencies by way of pronouncements and guidance emphasising the economic and business imperatives of response to the multi-faceted challenges of climate change. 

“It also adds to the growing momentum towards identifying strategies for a just and economically efficient transition to net zero emissions.”

Mr Ellis said, "Accountants are already playing a key role assisting organisations to manage their impact on the planet and the impact of climate change on their organisation.

“Our call to action supports both these early adopters who are quantifying risk and accountants following in their footsteps.”

 www.accountingforsustainability.org/abn-climate-action 

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THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works held a public hearing as part of its scrutiny of the proposal from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to conduct integrated fit-out works for new leased premises at 152 Wharf Street, Brisbane, QLD.

The proposed works are due for completion in August 2022. The total estimated cost of the project is $49.59 million, excluding GST.

The Committee conducted public and in-camera hearings for the inquiry at Parliament House, Canberra on 26 February 2020.

Interested members of the public are encouraged to contact the Committee Secretariat.

The hearing was broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Note: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Inquiries on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

Inquiries

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4636
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information about this committee, visit its website.

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FEDERAL Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne, and Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash, were among the participants on Friday at an event in Parramatta to improve understanding of the strengths of women from diverse background in work.

Settlement Services International (SSI) hosted the event in the lead-up to International Women’s Day. It brought together nearly 200 women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, community leaders, and representatives from the corporate world.

Senator Payne said the economy as a whole, and women themselves, were better off with greater female participation.

“There are significant social, health and wellbeing benefits for women when they work. In the case of migrant women, it is good for their integration and their social wellbeing and that of their families,” Senator Payne said.

“Our government recognises these trends and truths. It’s why we’re supporting more women to work.”

Senator Cash said migrant women faced particular challenges when it came to economic participation and financial security.

“Australia’s success as a multicultural and inclusive nation depends on the economic participation and contribution of migrants. That’s why the Morrison Government has a strong focus on ensuring we provide the support services to facilitate English language proficiency, employment and education when providing settlement assistance to migrants and humanitarian entrants to Australia,” Senator Cash said.

“Women from diverse backgrounds are skilled, courageous and resourceful. What is often missing is the opportunity to fully participate and share that skill and knowledge. This is why the Government continues to ensure its mainstream employment services feature a range of interventions, activities and complementary programs to help assist CALD and refugee job seekers, including women.”

Zena Habib, head of people and culture at the Australian National Maritime Museum, said her organisation was working hard to improve the cultural diversity of its workforce and today’s session offered invaluable insights and tips.

“Hearing first hand some of the challenges women from diverse backgrounds face and then being able to focus on solutions with two key ministers and corporates has given me not only inspiration to change things but some tools for how,” Ms Habib said.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said IWD was about celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias, and taking action for equality.

“Gender equity is not just a women’s issue, it’s an issue for everyone,” Ms Roumeliotis said. “We know that when women do well, their families, businesses and whole communities prosper.

"Empowering Women through Employment recognised that women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were at a unique intersection of gender and culture that could limit employment opportunities and career progression.

“In order to drive change on a larger scale, we need to ensure the voices of women from CALD backgrounds are front and centre. Let’s be #EachforEqual."

About SSI

Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. SSI works with people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.

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