The Queensland Government has gathered all Ministers involved in the state’s resources sector to fast-track industry investment and support.
The Ministers met as part of the newly formed Resources Cabinet Committee under the Queensland Government’s 100 Day Plan.
Calling such a committee together is part of the state Government’s mission to ensure all portfolios affecting resources are on the same page when it comes to improving the sector.
Ministers gathered included:
- Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last
- Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie
- Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home ownership David Janetzki
- Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last, who also chaired the committee, said the Ministers are considering policies and initiatives to maintain and improve the competitiveness of Queensland’s resources sector and the value of its supply chain.
“We’ve pulled together the key players in our ministerial team that have a direct impact on resources,” Last said.
“The committee ensures a coordinated approach and open lines of communication going forward, giving resources companies certainty around their investment decisions.”
Last said the first task of the committee is to bring forward solutions that will reduce delays and improve approval time frames including actions that will reduce process duplication, simplify and align notification processes, and improve consistency in assessment and administration of applications.
“The committee will report back on its progress at the second meeting, which will be held in February,” he said.
“No longer will projects and opportunities languish for years without a decision. Industry, investors and communities will be given certainty one way or another.”
Under the new Queensland Government, Last said the state is open for business and will lay out an ambitious long-term agenda which will see new and expanded mining opportunities across the state.
“We will never take for granted the abundance of our resources and the value the sector delivers to the Queensland economy, nor will we take for granted the more than 60,000 people who are directly employed in the sector,” he said.
In 2023-2024, the resources sector was the largest industry in Queensland accounting for nearly 13 percent of the economy.
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