Jobs supported by resources rise in Queensland
Published by Jessica Casey,
Editor
Global Mining Review,
The number of jobs supported by the resources industry in Queensland has now reached 420 000, following the release of new data showing an extra 50 000 jobs have been created by the sector in the past financial year.
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) recently released industry figures confirming mining, gas and energy companies added a record AUS$82.6 billion to the state economy in 2019 – 2020, representing a AUS$5 billion increase on the year before.
QRC Chief Executive, Ian Macfarlane, said the latest data shows one in every five dollars in the state economy and one in six jobs are due to the Queensland mining and gas industry, highlighting the significance of the sector to every Queenslander.
“The overall number of jobs supported by resources in Queensland has risen by 13% since June last year, increasing from 372 000 to 420 000+ people now working across our sector,” he said.
“Of these, 52 676 people are directly employed in resources and a further 367 493 jobs are supported by the sector, which emphasises the significant flow-on benefits to the wider community from having a strong resources industry in Queensland.
“This is more important than ever as Queensland businesses continue to battle the headwinds of COVID.”
The number of Queensland businesses directly supported by mining, gas and energy companies rose by 5% since June last year from 14 400 to reach 15 199, with companies reporting a 19% increase in spending during this period.
Macfarlane said resources is a huge contributor to the Queensland economy and to job security across the state, and he urged voters to take this into account as they head to the polls.
“The QRC has been running a Protect Your Job campaign during the state election to make people aware of the economic importance of resources to Queensland, and to encourage voters to back candidates who will protect jobs and support the mining and gas industry,” he added.
“On top of the billions of dollars resources contributes to the state economy each year, our companies also pay Australia’s highest royalty tax rates, which collected AUS$4.5 billion last year for the Queensland government.
“This money goes directly into the state budget to fund teachers, nurses, doctors, hospitals, schools and roads so that gives billions of reasons for voters to back candidates who support the resources sector.”
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/26102020/jobs-supported-by-resources-rise-in-queensland/
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