He said the Opposition had made a series of announcements on the Galilee Basin and the Abbot Point port over the course of this state government election campaign that had left the QRC wondering whether the Galilee Basin coal province would be developed under a Labor government.
“What we have heard to date is what Labor would not do,” Roche said.
“Labor will not invest in a new multi-user rail line from the Galilee Basin to the port of Abbot Point, despite the fact that successive Queensland governments have invested in such infrastructure over many decades to open up mining areas such as the Bowen Basin and the Mount Isa Minerals Province.
“Labor will not provide any financial support for the dredging program at Abbot Point required to provide export capacity for Galilee Basin mines. This is a government-owned port and successive Queensland governments have taken seriously their responsibility to ensure port development keeps pace with demand.”
Roche said Labor would also not allow dredge spoil disposal at sea and the party had said it would also block the alternative of beneficially re-using the dredge spoil on land at Abbot Point.
“This stance appears to ignore the fact that only 2-3% of the existing wetlands would be used and the proposed wetlands strategy would involve a huge overall expansion of the wetlands,” he said.
The Galilee Basin coal province has the potential to be a huge jobs and revenue generator for Queensland.
Roche argued that despite this the electorate has heard nothing from Labor in the lead up to the state elections about what they would do to unlock it.
He said the Adani mine, rail and port projects in the Galilee Basin would provide 10,000 jobs and $22 billion in taxes and royalties, which could be invested in frontline services right around Queensland.
“It should not be a case of jobs or the environment,” Roche said.
“It is possible to have both.
“What we need to hear from Labor is what they will do to help make the Galilee Basin coal province a reality.
“The Greens and anti-mining activist groups may approve of Labor’s policies but regional communities such as Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton are anxious for good economic news, an injection of confidence and, most importantly, new job creation.”
