Majority of Queenslanders back the mining sector and most want changes to coal royalties scheme

Queensland's controversial coal royalties face mounting pressure as a survey shows the majority of Queenslanders want to protect investment in the industry.

A majority of Queenslanders want the state government to either wind back the controversial coal royalty regime that’s put thousands of jobs at risk or reach a compromise with the mining industry.

The survey of 1500 Queenslanders, commissioned by the Queensland Resources Council, also found that support for the mining industry is at its highest level since 2022.

The independent survey prepared for QRC by JWS Research found 55 per cent of respondents believed that the increase in royalties was making coal mining less competitive for investment compared to other states/territories.

It also found that 58 per cent of respondents supported some form of action on the royalties.

Of those surveyed, 29 per cent wanted a compromise on the royalties, 14 per cent to decrease the current rate, 13 per cent wanted to return to pre-2022 levels and 2 per cent called for it to be abolished altogether.

Regional Queenslanders were most against the scheme.

A dump truck pulls at Stanwell’s Meandu Mine near Kingaroy.

QRC chief executive Janette Hewson said that after last year’s election, the survey’s results showed a majority supported change to the coal royalties regime, with Queenslanders emphasising the need for consultation.

“Queenslanders want businesses to have a fair go, especially if they believe policy to be impacting their livelihoods or the competitiveness of our state,” she said.

“Reflecting on this sentiment, and seeing the announcements from industry roll in, it’s time for some tough decisions to be made to live up to Queensland’s expectations about sustaining their quality of life.”

Janette Hewson QRC Chief Executive Officer

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki said there will be no changes which the government committed before the last election.

“This is in contrast to Labor, which promised 26 times not to introduce new or increased taxes and broke it repeatedly,” he said.

“Unlike Labor, the Crisafulli Government respects Queensland’s resources sector and is supporting the industry with faster decisions and streamlined approvals.”

Research is regularly undertaken by the Queensland Resources Council to check the sentiment of Queenslanders and their thoughts or opinions about mining.

Overall 75 per cent of Queenslanders agreed that mining, including coal, was very important to maintaining our way of life and this increased to 77 per cent in the regions.

It also revealed that more than three in five Queenslanders (88 per cent) believed there was an

important long-term role for the mining and resources sector.

The latest findings come at a time when regional communities, particularly those in resources-rich areas, are concerned for the long-term future of their area.

Queenslanders highlighted the extent of the sector’s importance for its economic contributions, with seven in 10 people agreeing it supports jobs, especially in regional areas, and 76 per cent acknowledging its importance to the state economy.

The resources sector makes a significant contribution to jobs and regional economies

across Queensland.

In 2024, nearly half of the $36bn spent by resources companies purchasing goods and services from local businesses was in the regions.

This contributes to the $120bn generated by the sector across all commodities, of which $12.8bn in royalties were paid and used for Queensland’s public services and infrastructure.