THE LATEST quarterly figures from Queensland Treasury again demonstrate exports from resources are powering ahead and lifting the state’s prosperity.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the sector is a key driver of growth in Queensland and its top-drawer deposits are in high demand.

"Despite the predictions of green activists, the value of thermal coal exports surged 18 percent while the worth of LNG exports lifted 15 percent. Demand for these commodities is expanding from both developing economies in Asia and established economies," he said.

“Thermal coal and LNG increased 34 percent and 36 percent in value over the 12 months.

“A good sign the global economy is healthy is reflected in copper demand and the base metal outshone all other commodities over the three months achieving 60 percent growth. The copper story in Queensland looks good with the Australian Bureau of Statistics recording a 41 percent jump in exploration funding last week.

“Coking coal was still feeling the effects of Cyclone Debbie down for the quarter but still achieved a 23 percent increase in value over the year.

“Resources are the state’s largest export industry which last year generated more than 70 per cent of total merchandise export value and supported close to 300,000 jobs including a 12 percent lift in full-time employment.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement by Minister Anthony Lynham to grant four new mining leases to extend Stanmore Coal’s production in central Queensland for seven years.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the coal industry continues to deliver for Queensland and applauded Minister Lynham for backing the industry and the communities it supports.

“These new leases will secure the jobs of 210 workers and deliver an extra $75 million in royalties to pay for teachers, nurses and police. What we are seeing right across the coal industry is people being employed in high skilled and high tech jobs, billions of dollars in royalties being paid to the State Government and small businesses benefiting from servicing the industry,” he said.

“Stanmore’s clear-sightedness after purchasing the mine for $1 is again demonstrated with the company looking to use existing infrastructure and equipment to develop the leases.

“The resources sector provides one in every $6 dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight jobs, supports more than 16,400 businesses, all from 0.1 percent of the state’s land mass.”

QRC’s current data shows that in 2016-17, the state’s coal industry contributed $37.8 billion to the state’s economy and supported 189,995 full time jobs.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE House Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation will hear about Toowoomba’s success as a regional town on Tuesday.

The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Meryl Swanson MP, said “Toowoomba has been consistently highlighted as a successful example of regional development in Australia.  A region that is doing things well.”    

“Public and private investment in Toowoomba has led to major infrastructure projects such as the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, and the Inland Rail project.  Redevelopment of the City’s retail precinct has also transformed the area.”

“The Committee is keen to explore what drives this success.” Ms Swanson said.

Witnesses appearing at the hearing include the Toowoomba Regional Council, Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Regional Development Australia, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, Regional Solutions, the University of Southern Queensland, Oakey Beef Exports and the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.

The Committee will also conduct site visits at the Pulse Data Centre and Interlink SQ.

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live and a transcript will be available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details:

Toowoomba
Time:                    8.30am – 1.30pm (click to listen live)
Date:                     Tuesday, 13 March
Location:             Toowoomba City Library

For the full programs of this public hearing, see the Committee’s website.

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website.

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IN CELEBRATING International Women’s Day, Master Builders Australia is calling for more women to pursue careers in the building and construction industry to help tackle the gender pay gap. 

“There is profound community concern about the gender pay gap. Getting more women into well-paying jobs in growing industries like building and construction has a big role in closing it,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said. 

“Building and construction is the nation’s second largest industry and one of the highest paying.   It currently employs more than a million Australians but only 11 percent of them are women,” she said. 

“There are great opportunities for women to achieve financial security and independence through a wide range of careers in our industry now and in the future,” Denita Wawn said. 

“On-site or off it, on the tools or in the office or, as is often the case both, women need to know that building and construction is an industry that will welcome them and where they can achieve both financially and in their careers,” she said. 

“Master Builders is committed not just to talking but to achieving real change. Women Building Australia is an initiative to change perceptions and raising awareness so the industry can recruit, train and retain more women,” Denita Wawn said. 

“We want our members businesses to benefit from the skills and aptitudes that women bring to building and construction workplaces,” she said. 

“Master Builders has also launched a National Mentoring Program to support women in their choice of a construction industry career. It brings together women who are just starting out in their careers or are training to attain a building industry qualification,” Denita Wawn said. 

“As an industry a key priority it is ensuring that we can provide the skills that young people need and that employers want. The Women Building Australia initiative is a great example of how industry can invest in the future of its workforce and help tackle the gender pay gap,” Denita Wawn said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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