Resources minister Keith Pitt said the country's resources sector had continued to expand over the past year and employment in the sector had grown to almost 250,000 jobs.
"At the same time our resources sector continues to set new records with resources and energy export earnings forecast to reach $281 billion this year."
Over the past year the government has, for the mining sector:
- Put $30 million into the School of Mines and Manufacturing at the Central Queensland University campuses in Gladstone and Rockhampton;
- Established the Critical Minerals Facilitation Office; and
- Commissioned the Productivity Commission to report on best practice resources regulation.
Pitt said the resources sector accounted for about 8.5% of Australia's gross domestic product and 35% of its economic growth, generating more than $36 million in taxes and royalties.
