Queensland Resources Sector to work on industry development plan
Published by Jessica Casey,
Editor
World Coal,
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is ready to work with the Palaszczuk government on the Resources Industry Development Plan to consolidate the gains the state has made in the most recent jobs figures.
QRC Chief Executive, Ian Macfarlane, said with the end of JobKeeper looming, it is more important than ever to ensure a long-term plan for the industry is in place to keep the Queensland resources sector thriving.
“The resources sector is Queensland’s chief job-maker,” Macfarlane said.
“Our companies have been able to support hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders through the worst of COVID-19 by keeping our employees and associated businesses and industries working and earning at a time other sectors have not been as fortunate.
“Our sector has taken great care to continue our operations safely and to continue to support regional communities and regional jobs at a time Queensland needed economic stability.”
Macfarlane said Queensland must now have a laser-like focus on a strong economic recovery.
“While there are challenges ahead, there are green shoots that show cause for optimism,” he said.
“As Treasurer Cameron Dick has pointed out, the most recent national jobs figures show 60% of the full-time jobs created in February were here in Queensland.
“The resources sector supports more than 420 000 Queensland jobs, and right now we have more than 1000 resources-related job vacancies across the state.
“Queenslanders have every reason to feel optimistic when they see our sector go from strength to strength and create even more jobs.”
Macfarlane said Queensland has a golden opportunity to build on its traditional industry strengths of coal and gas, and minerals such as copper, zinc and bauxite, and to take advantage of renewables, hydrogen and critical minerals opportunities.
“The Queensland government’s commitment to work with the QRC and other stakeholders to implement a Resources Industry Development Plan is a game-changer because it will zero in on new investment, regional job opportunities and best practice regulation,” he said.
“We welcome the opportunity to get cracking on this plan to benefit all Queenslanders.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/24032021/queensland-resources-sector-to-work-on-industry-development-plan/
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