Authorities ask Government to support ag and resources
Leading bodies in the resource and agricultural sectors are pleading with the State Government parties to prioritise regional Queensland and the advancements they’ve made.
Development
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Regional bodies are calling on the State Government parties to back regional Queensland and its three R’s: Revenue, Regions, and Regulation.
One in three Queenslanders are employed by five key industries – agriculture, mining and gas, tourism, timber and property.
The Darling Downs and surrounding regions are up-and-comers in terms of making their mark in the resource industry, and now AgForce are encouraging the Government to pledge their assistance to maintaining that growth.
AgForce along with Queensland Resources Council, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Property Council of Australia and Timber Queensland have joined forces to call on the next State Government to prioritise the three R’s to ensure a strong post-COVID recovery.
AgForce General President Georgie Somerset said regional Queensland was a driving force of the State’s economy and needed an appropriate level of prioritisation to continue in that way.
“Agriculture – driven by around 18,000 primarily family-owned farms who feed and clothe us – pumps $18 billion into the economy annually and is the cornerstone of thousands of rural and regional communities,” Mrs Somerset said.
In the southwest in particular, the resource sector has been an important creator of jobs and economic enrichment for the region.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said each industry body shared the view that keeping Queenslanders earning, working and contributing to the State economy was the best way to respond to and overcome the challenges of COVID-19.
“The Queensland resources industry contributed $74 billion to the state economy last year and supported the jobs of 372,000 people, so we’re asking the next government to work closely with our sector for the benefit of all Queenslanders to create more jobs and stimulate a strong economic recovery from COVID,” Mr Macfarlane said.
The state election will be held this Saturday, October 31.
