THE SUCCESSFUL implementation of a bold new industry development plan for Queensland’s $82.6 billion resources sector will provide decades of jobs for Queenslanders, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said today.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said today’s launch of a Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan (QRIDP) by Resources Minister Scott Stewart was a crucial step towards building the state’s global reputation as a low-emissions energy superpower.

“The State Government is delivering on its pre-election commitment to work with the QRC and other stakeholders to develop a plan that maximises the benefits and addresses the challenges facing resources companies and resources communities at a critical time in world history,” he said.

“The next step is to make sure a clear plan and set of actions is developed in a timely way, for government and industry to take forward to secure the future of our industry and the future of Queensland.”

Mr Macfarlane said the global pandemic had made people more aware of the importance of a strong, stable state economy to their everyday lives.

“A new development plan for the resources sector will concentrate on promoting industry growth as well as responsibly unlocking resources and using low-emission energy to lower power costs,” he said.

“This is a genuine opportunity for the government and resources sector to work together to fix what isn’t working, remove unnecessary red tape and inefficiencies and set targets and pathways for growth.”

Mr Macfarlane said the plan would expand the Queensland economy and create more jobs and business opportunities, placing the state in a prime position to benefit from the world’s ever-increasing demand for energy from a mix of low and zero emission sources.

“We know from decades of exploration data that Queensland has a broad and abundant mix of resources, ranging from coal and gas to copper, zinc, lead, bauxite, nickel and silver, as well as critical minerals such as vanadium, titanium, scandium and cobalt which are essential in the production of renewable technologies,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queensland also has 300 days of sunlight a year to support a growing solar power industry, is closely located to expanding Asian markets particularly South-East Asia, has a critical mass of skilled resources workers and a strong safety culture to support future expansion.

“We have all the ingredients we need to support Queensland’s rise as a major supplier in the global energy market and secure our state’s long-term future.”

Other QRIDP priorities include:

• maximising social and economic community benefits from the resources sector;
• streamlining of government regulatory processes;
• opportunities to expand advanced processing of resources in Queensland;
• minimum 12-week consultation process for regulatory change of material impacts;
• continued support for explorers through initiatives such as the Collaborative Exploration Initiative;
• identification of further growth opportunities for Qld’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector;
• prioritising best practice environmental protections and rehabilitation based on Queensland’s landmark financial provisioning laws;
• facilitating access to the state network of common user ports, rail lines and electricity infrastructure to create new opportunities.

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ON THIS International Day of Mourning, which commemorates those who have died at work, The End COVID for All campaign and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), have come together to pay tribute to the 3,000 nurses across the world who have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

Tragically, that is more nurses than the total of nurses who died throughout the entirety of World War One.

“Nurses around the world have been at the forefront during the fight against COVID-19. Today, we stop and reflect on their extraordinary commitment, dedication and the sacrifices they made for those people in their care,” ANMF acting federal secretary, Lori-Anne Sharp, said today.

“Sadly, their efforts in caring for people suffering from COVID-19 has come at a considerable cost, with thousands of nurses across the world losing their lives. And we must honour their service to the community.

“Many nurses across the region are exhausted and depleted. They have been running on adrenaline to keep their communities healthy and stop the spread of COVID-19. A lot of nurses are experiencing burnout and stress, related to the pandemic response.”

TShe said there must be increased investment in the size and training of the Asia-Pacific health workforce and sufficient supplies of vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), adequate fit testing and access to appropriate diagnostic and medical equipment.

“We need a serious financial and political commitment to expand nurse numbers and provide nurses with the training and equipment needed to provide safe patient care and prevent healthcare worker infections," Ms Sharpe said.

The End COVID for All campaign is calling for the Commonwealth Government to invest at least $1 billion to boost the COVID-ravaged health systems of the Asia-Pacific, to better support nurses and their patients on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Reverend Tim Costello, of the End COVID for All campaign, said the Australian Government could do its part to strengthen the regional effort.

“Right now in Papua New Guinea, top health experts warn we could have one million COVID cases within weeks. In this crisis it’s hard to think of a smarter investment than in nurses and health support for our near neighbours,” he said.

“Whilst the Australian Government have made a contribution in the region, they can and must go further. We must invest in the nurses, hospitals and health equipment that gets our mates in nations like PNG through this crisis and helps them to rebuild for the future.

“Many of our neighbours were already battling diseases like tuberculosis, HIV and malaria before COVID hit. The pandemic has made that so much harder. They need our support."

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THE Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) are focused on measures to intercept attempted identity fraud targeted at registered tax practitioners and their clients.

New guidelines will strengthen and modernise the practices and controls that registered tax practitioners follow when verifying the identity of their clients.

The ATO has seen an increase in attempts by criminals to commit refund fraud by stealing the identities of taxpayers which has coincided with an increased reliance on technology and remote working practices. Having your identity compromised can have devastating financial consequences.

A lack of consistency to verifying the identity of clients has left individual tax practitioners vulnerable to attack. Practices that retain client identity documents insecurely are also at greater risk of having these documents stolen through physical break-ins.

The ATO’s draft guidance encourages tax practitioners to voluntarily start adopting the new client verification standard immediately, with the view for the standards to become compulsory in the future following an initial transition period and further consultation with the tax profession.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Sylvia Gallagher confirmed there was not an expectation that tax practitioners need to go back and verify the identity of their entire client base as part of the transitional approach.

"We’re asking that they perform identity checks from this point on, at the next opportunity in their normal dealings with clients,” Ms Gallagher said.

Inviting feedback on the TPB’s draft guidance, the TPB chair Ian Klug said, “We value the support of the tax profession in implementing these important controls to better protect the Australian community from tax fraud through identity crime.’’

Mr Klug further said the TPB’s guidance would apply to all registered tax practitioners regardless of whether they use the ATO’s online services or not.

“The Tax Agent Services Act 2009 does not expressly set out minimum requirements for tax practitioners to verify a client’s identity. However, there are implications under this Act if tax practitioners fail to take reasonable steps to ensure the identity of their clients is established. Our draft guidance provides practical guidance and examples so tax practitioners do not fall foul of their obligations and put their registration and business at risk,” Mr Klug said.

Tax practitioners who are unable to successfully verify a client’s identity and suspect potential fraud should contact the ATO on 1800 467 033.

The ATO’s draft guidance is available on the ATO website. The ATO is seeking feedback from tax practitioners. Submissions can emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The TPB’s draft practice note is available on the TPB website. Submissions can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or sent by mail to GPO Box 1620, Sydney NSW 2001.

Submissions are due to the ATO and the TPB by June 10, 2021.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security will hold two public hearings this week for its Inquiry into extremist movements and radicalism in Australia.

Various government agencies and organisations will speak at the hearing on Thursday while the Friday hearing will hear from civil society groups, academics, and tech companies.

Committee chair Senator James Paterson said, "These hearings will provide the committee with a solid base of evidence to this Inquiry. The committee is looking forward to discussing this significant national security topic with some of the leading experts in the field of extremism and radicalisation."

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, teleconference and video conference facilities will be used to connect witnesses to committee members. The hearings will be broadcast live on the Watch Parliament website.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the committee’s website.

Public Hearing Details:

Thursday, 29 April 2021
10am – 4pm (AEST)
Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

Friday, 30 April 2021
10am – 4.30pm (AEST)
Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra

Programs for both hearings can be found on the Committee's website.

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