The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is taking its campaign against the Palaszczuk Government’s coal royalty tax increase directly to homes in Rockhampton, Townsville and Mackay through a pamphlet letter box drop.
The pamphlet falsely claims that this is a tax on these towns, risks local jobs and is driving away investment in Queensland.
Local conservation group Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland (EnvA) warns the community that Queensland Resources Council are running a scare campaign. The coal royalty increase is not going to impact on local jobs or investment. The royalty increases only coming into place when the coal price is over $175 a tonne.
EnvA Director, Dr Coral Rowston said:
“The coal belongs to Queenslanders and not the mining companies.
“These companies are selling off our resources at huge profit and often escaping paying any taxes, and at the same time they are impacting on the local environment and contributing humongous greenhouse gas emissions causing more climate change harm.
“Coal prices have hit an all-time high, and it is only reasonable for some of the windfall profits are given back to the community.
“Queensland communities deserve to be paid for the sale of our resources, which can be used to provide improved regional services such as hospitals, schools, and roads, or can be used to help with the inevitable transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
“The concept that companies are abandoning investment in coal in Queensland is ludicrous, with at least 20 new proposals in Central Queensland in the pipeline.
“Regional unemployment is at a record low, with so many opportunities for workers to secure jobs in the new renewable economy or in other services that they are keen to pursue.
The brochure notes that one coal company has withdrawn its application for a large green-field coal mine near Emerald.
“I can only assume that this refers to Glencore’s decision not to proceed with the proposed Valeria Coal project. Their decision was based on the increased global uncertainty in relation to the future of fossil fuels and their commitment to a managed decline of their global coal business towards a net zero total emissions business by 2050. Royalties were not a major consideration in their decision.
“The higher coal royalties are only while coal prices are high and no jobs will be lost – QRC are running a scare campaign while not acknowledging that the world is moving forward”, said Dr Rowston.
EnvA - CQ 