Everyday Queenslanders from across the state will be the new face of the “Keep Queensland Competitive” campaign — highlighting the damage being done to their businesses and jobs by the world’s highest coal royalty taxes.
Launching the next round of the campaign, Queensland Resources Council CEO Janette Hewson said the “Everyday Queenslanders” advertisements would demonstrate the impact on regional and rural communities of sudden increases in tax rates.
“Up until now, the ‘Keep Queensland Competitive’ campaign has focused on the facts and figures – showing how suddenly introducing the world’s highest royalties has led to billions of dollars of projects being cancelled or postponed,” Hewson said.
“Now we are handing the microphone to the everyday Queenslanders who are feeling the effects of those cancellations in their businesses and jobs.”
The campaign features retail workers, publicans, farmers, trucking business owners, fencers, electrical engineers, admin officers, and apprentices from regional parts of the state, including Clermont, Mackay, Charters Towers, and Moranbah.
“They all rely on a strong and confident resources sector to help their local businesses thrive and to secure their local jobs,” Hewson said.
“And their message is simple: they want politicians to sit down and have a genuine discussion about finding a fair and competitive level for royalties.”
Hewson said the sector has been asking for the last two years for a dialogue with the government about royalties, with little response.
“Hopefully, they will listen to these everyday Queenslanders who want the same thing,” she said.
The campaign will run until the state election on October 26, focusing on regional areas where businesses rely on a strong and stable resources sector. It will be featured across TV, radio, digital, and outdoor platforms.
“We know that our campaign has resonated across the state, and our research shows that people everywhere have agreed with our message that when you hurt Queensland’s resources sector, you hurt Queensland,” Hewson said.
“However, we are now severely limited by the government’s third-party electoral spending laws, so we intend to focus our efforts over the next five months in those parts of the state where everyday Queenslanders are feeling the greatest impact.”
She reiterated the invitation to both sides of politics to sit down with the sector and come up with a fair and sustainable royalties regime that keeps Queensland competitive and protects and grows jobs and opportunities for everyday Queenslanders.
