After seven years at the helm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane has announced he will retire from the role at the end of the year.
Ian leaves an important legacy to the mining industry, advocating strongly for the sector as the federal Resources Minister under the Howard Government and in recent years as the CEO of the QRC.
Minerals Council of Australia Chief Executive Officer Tania Constable said his tenure as the federal Resources Minister included the establishment of the LNG industry in Australia, helping to make Australia a key exporter of energy resources to the world.
“During his seven-year tenure at the QRC, Ian helped oversee industry improvements in safety, training, inclusion and diversity, and guided the industry in Queensland through the COVID pandemic keeping mines open that significantly contributed to the nation’s economy during difficult times.
“Ian has also worked hard to oppose the Queensland State Government’s decision to significantly increase coal royalty taxes that are putting Queensland jobs and future investment at risk.
Ms Constable said he hasn’t only been a strong advocate of mining in Queensland but across Australia and I want to thank him for his support for the industry nationally.
“His contribution to public life since 1998 has been tremendous, including 18 years as a federal Member of Parliament holding ministerial positions for small business, resources, industry, science and tourism.”
Mr Macfarlane said it has been a privilege to lead Queensland’s resources sector during an incredibly challenging and dynamic time in the industry’s history.
“Over the past three years, our sector proved its importance to Queensland when resources companies quickly adapted to the challenges of Covid and were able to continue to operate and support the state economy. This kept hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders in jobs and in business at a time other industries such as tourism were forced to shut down.”
Mr Macfarlane said the resources sector was undergoing a period of great transformation, as companies moved to decarbonise their operations as fast as the technology would allow.
“Our industry’s ability to continually innovate will see the mining and energy sector underpin jobs and the state economy well into the next century,” he said.
“Our determination to reduce our industry’s environmental impact will continue under new leadership at the QRC, along with an ongoing commitment to make our workplaces safer and more diverse and inclusive for all employees.”
QRC President Brent Gunther said the board and QRC members offer their sincere thanks to him for his strong advocacy on behalf of Queensland’s resources sector.
“For the past seven years, Ian has been a strong advocate for not only Queensland and Australia’s resource sector but also for mining communities, mining suppliers and the tens of thousands of Queenslanders who work in mining operations around the state,” Mr Gunther said.
“During his time as Chief Executive, the resource sector added more than $509 billion to Queensland’s economy, supported more than 2,343,000 jobs and paid more than $31.5 billion in royalties.
“Ian has also successfully led the industry through the incredible challenges posed by the Covid pandemic and has overseen industry improvements in safety, training, inclusion, and diversity.
“When the resources sector is strong, Queensland is strong, and Ian has been a tireless advocate for the sector, always working to keep the industry strong for the benefit of all Queenslanders,” he said.
“Ian and the QRC team have ensured that mining’s role in supporting the Queensland economy is recognised and celebrated.
“We are extremely grateful for his contribution, and he goes with our best wishes for the future.”
Mr Gunther said the QRC Board will commence an immediate global process to recruit a new Chief Executive, and thanked Mr Macfarlane for agreeing to continue in his role until a successor is found to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership of the QRC.
