QRC puts 'flip-flop' premier on notice

Former federal resources minister Ian Macfarlane says Queensland needs strong leadership for the mining industry and not a premier who will bow to activists.

Queensland Resources Council boss Ian Macfarlane has put Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on notice she can't keep flip-flopping on mining issues if her Labor government is re-elected on the weekend.

Speaking at the QRC's annual luncheon in Brisbane, Mr Macfarlane delivered a veiled shot at Ms Palaszczuk over her controversial campaign backflip on Adani's massive Carmichael project.

The lunch was a target for protesters and the former federal resources minister made a point of demanding the winner of Saturday's election needed to show more strength in the face of increasingly "shrill" activism.

Mr Macfarlane said the state needed "a government that doesn't go weak at the knees or flip flops for reasons of political popularity".

"We cannot have a situation where a government that bows to activists," he later told AAP.

"That is anarchy, that is not democracy. The next government will be elected by the people of Queensland, not by the 120 people standing out the front."

The QRC has stayed politically silent during the four-week election campaign despite pressure to pan the premier over her wavering support for the $16.5 billion Carmichael coal mine.

Mr Macfarlane did not name the premier, nor her change of mind over Adani's billion dollar loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for a rail line to Abbot Point port.

But he stressed a "government who speaks out in support of a project but then (backs down) under pressure from activists" sent a poor message to investors in a crucial industry.

"The consequences of the slightest whiff political cowardice can be clearly seen south of the border in states like NSW and Victoria," he said referring to the vocal anti-fracking movement.

"Their governments and policy makers who are elected to be impartial and cool-headed gave up defending the resource sector.

"We need the next premier, not just the next resources minister, to stand up and support the industry."

Mr Macfarlane proudly reported the resources sector contributed $55.1 billion to the state's economy in 2016-17, twice the value of crop exports, and $3.8 billion in royalties.

He called for Labor to match the Liberal National Party's commitment to a royalties freeze through to 2022.


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Source: AAP



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