The lobby group’s CEO Simon Bennison warned that the state’s standing as a globally competitive jurisdiction for mining investment was under threat.

“AMEC’s priorities focus on increasing exploration and mining activities in the state and reducing the cost of doing business, he said.

“This is achievable through a number of government initiatives including streamlining the approvals processes, a moratorium on current royalty rates, providing cost-effective regional infrastructure, and committing to co-funding drilling programs.

“AMEC looks forward to continuing the strong working relationship with the incoming Queensland government to reinvigorate the exploration and mining industry and boost Queensland as an attractive investment destination.”

AMEC found that Western Australia was eclipsing Queensland’s mining policy performance in several areas.

“As a benchmark, Queensland should aim to at least match and then better the approval processing times of Western Australia which handles considerably more tenements in less time,” AMEC said in its Queensland policy platform document.

AMEC also appreciated policy measures which aided smaller, entrepreneurial companies.

“AMEC strongly supports the introduction of a pooled fund model, similar to Western Australia’s Mining Rehabilitation Fund that removes the need for expensive bonds without reducing any environmental standards or obligations.”

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman’s surprise move to call an early election for January 31 might not backfire with recent polls giving his Liberal National Party a 52-53% standing on a two-party preferred basis.