SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

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.

Hanson confident in One Nation win at Queensland election

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

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.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"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.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world