Queensland’s investor profile at further risk over resource royalty uncertainty
Published by Jessica Casey,
Editor
World Coal,
The Queensland Resources Council has recently told a state parliamentary committee that the state’s investment profile in resources would slip even further unless the government committed to keeping royalties at current levels for the next 10 years.
A global survey of mining companies and investors released earlier this year by the Fraser Institute showed investors were seriously worried about Queensland’s investment potential.
Macfarlane said the onset of COVID-19 would have eroded global investor confidence even further since then.
“When the survey was released in February, Western Australia ranked number 1 in the world in terms of investment attractiveness, South Australia ranked 6 and the Northern Territory came in at 13,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Queensland was 15th, which is well behind our state counterparts and incredibly disappointing for such a resource-rich state.”
Macfarlane told the Economics and Governance Committee that Queensland needed certainty at a time of uncertainty and that the industry already paid the highest royalty rates in the country.
“The resources industry is not wanting to reduce what we already pay in terms of royalties, we just need the State Government to keep coal, metals and gas royalties at their current levels for the next decade,” he said.
“We’re also asking for a more streamlined project assessment and approval process, to make sure projects progress in reasonable timeframes.”
The State Government has previously committed to a 3 year freeze on coal and metals and a 5 year commitment on gas.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/30072020/queenslands-investor-profile-at-further-risk-over-resource-royalty-uncertainty/
You might also like
EIA reduces its forecast for US coal exports following Port of Baltimore closure
The US EIA has decreased its forecast for US coal exports following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the resulting closure of the Port of Baltimore.