THE Palaszczuk Government’s creation of a dedicated Resources Investment Commissioner is a positive move for Queensland’s mining, oil and gas sectors as well as the array of businesses and employment it supports, says national resource industry employer group AREEA.

“AREEA welcomes the announcement by Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines, Anthony Lynham, that from next year a dedicated commissioner will ‘match-make’ international investors with miners and explorers,” says AREEA executive director Scott Barklamb.

“By 2017, Australia will likely be the world’s largest coal exporter and by 2020, the largest exporter of LNG. Queensland will play an absolutely critical role in realising these opportunities.

“Ensuring Queensland secures its share of global resource exports will deliver jobs for Queenslanders, enhance government receipts that pay for schools and hospitals, and improve living standards at a state and national level.

“The appointment of a new Queensland Investment Commissioner comes at a critical time for resource employers as they experience suppressed commodity prices, policy and regulatory challenges that are impacting productivity and competitiveness, and a decreasing investment pipeline of major projects.

“This is creating anxiety for explorers, constructors, operators, mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) suppliers, and all other support sectors that service Queensland’s resource projects.

“The commissioner will play an important role in addressing these issues and securing new international investment for capital intensive exploration and large-scale resource projects in the state.

“AREEA and our diverse membership looks forward to working with the commissioner to promote the state’s growth and development prospects and contribute to government policy development particularly where processes or regulation may hinder new investment.”

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