IN a move that has been welcomed by the resource industry, the Queensland Government has announced plans to hire its first Resources Investment Commissioner to ‘match-make’ international investors and miners and explorers.
State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the new commissioner, to be based in Brisbane, will focus on identifying and driving investment opportunities for the state’s miners, explorer and mining technology companies.
“On my recent trip to the United States, investors were telling me they wanted to put their capital into Queensland resources projects,” Minister Lynham said.
“Our Resources Investment Commissioner’s job will be to make this happen, and to promote Queensland’s resource potential within Australia and overseas to generate more and better opportunities.”
AREEA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb said the creation of a dedicated resources investment commissioner was a ‘positive move’ for the Queensland resource sector and the ‘array of business and employment its supports’.
“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,” Mr Barklamb said.
“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.”
