Queensland’s resource sector is making further inroads into bringing down the State’s unemployment rate by investing in new projects and expanding existing activities, said the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said ahead of today’s ABS jobs data the resource sector was already doing the heavy lifting with more than 1,300 jobs available in mining, resources and energy on the employment website SEEK.
“These are long-term jobs and can provide education and training to advance employees into the next stage of their careers,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“Our sector continues to drive economic opportunities in all corners of the State with more than $14 billion in new or commissioned projects this year alone.
“The mining industry has by far the highest average weekly full-time adult earnings of any industry at $2659 – or over $138,000 per annum. Over 75 percent of these current vacancies pay $100,000 or more which is income that flows through to the butcher, bakery and hairdresser.
“In the Mackay region there are more than 500 vacancies, 84 in Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast, 65 in Townsville, 80 in Mount Isa, 38 across the Darling Downs and in the nation’s biggest mining town Brisbane there are 372 jobs.
“Premier Palaszczuk highlighted the importance of the resource sector’s contribution to employment at the QRC’s Annual lunch last November and the resources sector shares the Government’s ambition.
A report by CSIRO found people wanted industry and government to work together with communities and wider society to promote effective, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationships.”
The Queensland resources sector supports more than 316,000 full-time jobs and contributed $62.955 billion to the State’s economy in 2017/18. The sector also contributed more than 80 percent of the State’s exports with overseas sales of Queensland coal, metal and petroleum increasing to more than $60 billion, propelling Queensland exports to a record $81 billion in 2018.
