The Queensland Resources Council is turning the heat up over the coal royalty tax again in the lead-up to the State election with the latest round of advertisements in its Keep Queensland Competitive Campaign.

QRC chief executive officer Janette Hewson said it was important the issue was part of the public discussion as Queensland headed to the polls.

“Once again we have real Queenslanders including farmers, an apprentice, a publican, business owners, an electrical engineer, and retail workers from Mackay, Charters Towers, Clermont and Moranbah expressing their genuine concerns about the impact of the world’s highest coal royalty tax on local jobs and livelihoods,” Ms Hewson said. 

“A strong resources sector in Queensland relies on continued investment to deliver the new projects that will create the jobs and economic opportunities, particularly in regional areas.

“Our message to all political parties in this election is that policy uncertainty created by the sudden change to coal royalties is a significant deterrent to attracting investment and makes Queensland uncompetitive. 

“Industry concerns over new investment spreads beyond coal across all Queensland commodities, including critical minerals that are so important to the energy transition with enormous potential to drive the ongoing success of Queensland’s resources sector.” 

The message will feature prominently in broadcast, digital and social media in the lead-up to October 26. 

The QRC said the Keep Queensland Competitive Campaign was restricted by the Queensland Government’s election spending cap and would focus on regional areas where the resources sector was a major contributor to local jobs and economic opportunities. 

Related: Curragh takes a hit, owner rails against royalties slug

“In the 2023 financial year, resources companies spent $33 billion supporting Queensland businesses, sports clubs and charities on top of the royalties paid to the government,” Ms Hewson said. 

“Just over half of that, or $16.7 billion, was spent with businesses based in the regions. 

“The real Queenslanders who feature in the advertisements are just a few of the tens of thousands of people across the state who know what’s at stake if the government doesn’t get the right policy settings to keep our resources sector strong.”