Queensland resources sector has welcomed an agreement signed today with the Queensland government that takes a long-term view to develop the state’s minerals and energy wealth to its full potential.
ResourcesQ is signed in Brisbane. From left are APPEA Chief Operating Officer Paul Fennelly, AMEC Regional Manager Bernie Hogan, QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche, Premier Campbell Newman and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps.
Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council Michael Roche said the signing of ResourcesQ, a 30-year vision for the sector, was an important blueprint for the sector’s future, particularly with its emphasis on global competitiveness.
A statement of intent between the Queensland Government, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), and the QRC was signed today.
‘The QRC acknowledges the work already under way by the Newman and Commonwealth governments to streamline the approvals process and cut red and green tape, but this agreement recognises the need for long-term and stable policy and legislation to attract investment in the sector,’ said Mr Roche.
‘What the resources sector doesn’t need is unexpected cost increases, such as increased royalties. Investment in the sector is by its nature long term, and changes to royalties affect the global competitiveness of resources operations, and reduce our attractiveness as a destination for resource investment.
‘We also don’t need an added impost on our inputs in the form of the federal government’s mooted changes to the diesel fuel tax credit scheme in tomorrow night’s budget.
‘However, I’m very pleased to see included in ResourcesQ measures to ensure that we have the skilled people we will require into the future.
‘I’m also gratified to see in the agreement an emphasis on properly informing the community about the sector’s importance to the economy, and regaining the confidence of the community in the government’s stringent environmental legislation.
‘As has been seen in our current television commercials on the Great Barrier Reef, there is a real need to push back on the misinformation being spread by an ever increasing bevy of anti-resource industry activists.
‘Also covered is the importance of demonstrating prospectivity through the provision of geological information, and actively pursuing investment to identify future resource deposits.’ Mr Roche said.
ResourcesQ is a Queensland Government initiative to drive growth and jobs in Queensland’s resources sector.
The initiative was formulated by the government to generate an economically strong, competitive, diverse and agile sector over the next 30 years. It’s about planning for the future to ensure we all prosper from Queensland’s resource wealth.
Throughout 2014, the government will work in partnership with the resources sector to develop a shared vision for Queensland’s resources over the next 30 years and an action plan to deliver that vision.
A long-term vision underlying the initiative is designed to:
The initiative features innovative and strong formal partnership with peak bodies representing the industry, which will remove constraints and realise the benefits the resources sector offers to all Queenslanders, leading to the signing of an agreement with QRC, APPEA and AMEC in Brisbane yesterday.
Stakeholder input will be sought through a range of methods including targeted industry consultation.
The ResourcesQ process includes the following key actions and engagement activities:
ResourcesQ initiative timeline
Queensland’s resources industry includes a large number of stakeholders from a broad range of sectors including:
ResourcesQ will give industry the opportunity to guide the strategic direction for the resources sector. Businesses and other stakeholders, including resource communities, will be encouraged to contribute to the development of solutions that will ensure resources remains an economic pillar in Queensland for future generations.
More information regarding the ResourcesQ initiative is available from:
Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Email: ResourcesQ@dnrm.qld.gov.au
You can also sign up to a ResourcesQ newsletter or visit the ResourcesQ web page.
AIG learned of the ResourcesQ programme, somewhat by accident, through the Cairns stakeholder workshop being held this week. While the initiative is one that many geoscientists would welcome, the promotion of the initiative amongst stakeholder groups appears to have gotten off to a very slow start, with little awareness of the initiative evident amongst Queensland geoscientists this week. Hopefully we’ll see this situation change as the initiative gains momentum.
Andrew Waltho, 13 May 2014
