The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s announcement today that it will support the state’s mine exploration companies during the COVID-19 downturn is a direct result from the sustained pressure levelled on behalf of industry by the LNP.
LNP Shadow Minister for Mines Dale Last thanked the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) for working with the LNP in standing up for their members and important Queensland resource jobs.
“AMEC was very clear that small exploration companies were finding it increasingly hard to work in Queensland, especially given the impact covid-19 was having,” said Mr Last.
“The mining exploration industry is essential to the development of the future mining projects that Queensland desperately needs.
“The LNP understand that without explorers we won’t have the mines that create thousands of jobs and pay the royalties that build new schools, hospitals, roads and fund extra police. It’s that simple.
“That is why the decision by the Palaszczuk Labor Government to listen to the LNP and industry by delivering temporary freezes on exploration tenements rentals and work program commitments is good news for Queensland.
“The LNP will always stand up for rural and regional resource industry jobs, especially in these difficult times.
“Given that Labor is now taking policy advice from the LNP its time that the state government supported the LNP’s promised 10-year royalty freeze to provide investment certainty, instead of Labor’s obsession with royalty hikes that will cost jobs.”
