New data shows Queensland's resources sector supported 117,812 jobs and added close to $19.9 billion - an incredible 110 per cent increase – to the Mackay and Coalfields' economy over the past financial year.
This includes 13,465 direct full-time jobs and 104,347 indirect full-time jobs (up 33.4 per cent) across the electorates of Burdekin, Gregory, Mackay, Mirani and Whitsunday.
Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said this wasoutstanding news for the Mackay and Coalfields' region during what are some very tough times for local businesses and industries heavily impacted by COVID-19.
Mr Macfarlane said the latest data shows the enormous importance of the resources industry to job security and the state economy.
"The total number of statewide jobs supported by resources has now reached 420,000-plus, with data showing an extra 50,000 jobs have been added across the sector in 2019-20," he said.
"Resources also contributed a record $82.6 billion to the state economy in the same period, which is up $5 billion on the year before."
Mr Macfarlane said the data shows one in every five dollars and one in six jobs in Queensland are now associated with the resources industry, highlighting the significance of the sector to every single Queenslander.
"Statewide, 52,676 people are now directly employed by our mining, gas and energy companies and a further 367,493 jobs are supported by the resources sector, which demonstrates the substantial flow-on benefits to the wider community," he said.
"Jobs are more important than ever as Queensland businesses continue to battle the headwinds of COVID."
In the Burdekin, Gregory, Mackay, Mirani and Whitsunday electorates, the resources sector has also supported almost 3,000 businesses and spent $7.4 billion purchasing local goods and services in the past financial year.
Click here for more detail about the statewide, regional and electorate level data for this region.
Mr Macfarlane said the QRC was urging voters through its Protect Your Job campaign to think about their own job security and to back candidates who support the resources industry at this Saturday's state election.
"On top of the billions of dollars contributed by resources to the state economy each year, Queensland companies also pay Australia's highest royalty tax rates, which collected $4.5 billion last year for the state government," he said.
"This money goes directly into the state budget to fund teachers, nurses, doctors, hospitals, schools and roads so that gives billions of reasons for voters to back candidates who support the resources sector."
The top 10 Queensland electorates ranked in order of economic contribution to the state economy in 2019-20 are McConnel, Mackay, Burdekin, Gladstone, Gregory, Whitsunday, Clayfield, Cooper, Mirani and South Brisbane.
Video:
Click here for grab from QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane
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QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane headshot
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane
