Editorial: Queensland a land of great opportunity, but not by accident

Queensland is a land of opportunity but that does not happen by accident, writes the editor. Careful investment by state and federal leaders will be required to ensure the next generation has the chance to create a better, more prosperous lifestyle.

Queenslanders have always punched above their weight and now we have even more proof.

Whether it’s the giants on the footy field pulling on the maroon jersey, or cancer researchers coming up with a world-first vaccine, we’re a state known for big achievements.

Now, new treasury analysis shows that during the 2010s more Queenslanders were able to lift themselves up out of disadvantage, earning more than their parents and making more of themselves, than people in most other states.

The data came from tracking the income of one million people born in the late 1970s and 1980s.

This Australian-first data revealed it was people in Queensland and WA who were more likely to rise from more humble beginnings to become more prosperous.

The common thread it has been put down to is the resources sector and mining boom.

With well-paying, local jobs on hand created from the boom in the 2010s, more Queenslanders have been able to make a go of it in life, earn more than their parents did and in turn, give their own children the best chance to get ahead.

The common thread it has been the resources sector and mining boom.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, a Queenslander himself from the city of battlers, Logan, has seized on the data to say the resources sector will play a role going forward in tackling intergenerational disadvantage.

He said Queensland would not only power the country through solar, wind and hydrogen, but power the economy through mining resources like bauxite, copper and nickel.

This is no eureka moment for Mr Chalmers, who has been consistent in understanding the balance required between climate action and the economic benefits the resource sector brings.

He has already flagged that he wants his next, and future budgets, to focus on tackling entrenched disadvantage.

Difficult economic headwinds and slowing wage growth have made it harder in recent years for young Australians to get ahead and earn more than their parents.

It is reassuring to hear the Treasurer say he believes the resources sector will play a role in turning this around, even as the country transitions to net-zero emissions.

This is a lesson which should be learned by some of his colleagues who take a more dim view towards the resources sector, coal in particular.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is a Queenslander himself from the city of battlers, Logan Picture: Liam Kidston

While the Albanese government’s official position is that Australia will continue to export coal for as long as there is an international market for it, this appears to be mostly lip-service for some of its members.

An abundance of resources, including coal, have helped create the wealth which has put the state in good stead.

It has given it the opportunity to expand the economy beyond the boom-bust mining cycle, but include education, research, tourism and more.

Queensland is a land of opportunity but that does not happen by accident.

Careful investment by our state and federal leaders will be required to ensure the next generation has the chance to lift themselves up and create a better, more prosperous lifestyle than the one we currently enjoy.

Originally published as Editorial: Queensland a land of great opportunity, but not by accident