Industry leaders to help drive ResourcesQ vision

A 30-year vision driving resources investment and jobs will be guided by respected industry leaders, assisting the Queensland Government deliver on its election promise to grow the sector as one of the four pillars of the economy.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps announced the ResourcesQ Partnership Group had been established on the back of the ResourcesQ Industry Leaders’ Forum in Brisbane, involving senior government and resource industry representatives.

“The Newman Government is committed to working in partnership with industry to achieve a 30-year ResourcesQ vision and action plan for the resources sector,” Mr Cripps said.

“The resources sector is one of Queensland’s four economic pillars so it is vital we have a strong, competitive and agile industry to see us into the future.”

Mr Cripps said the group would comprise six well-respected senior industry executives and provide strategic advice and recommendations through the Minister to the government’s Resources Cabinet Committee.

“Achieving our vision will require broad consultation across the sector and we will need to ensure industry has maximum opportunities to guide the strategic direction,” he said.

“We also promised at the election to restore accountability in government and this decision shows our commitment to consulting widely on the decisions we make.”

Mr Cripps said the purpose of the partnership group was to provide industry-grounded advice and recommendations directly to government on the ResourcesQ initiative.

“The representatives will have an array of industry experience including experience in the coal, gas, minerals, exploration, supply chain and innovation industries,” he said.

“I am very pleased to announce that the partnership group will be chaired by Mr Steve de Kruijff, the former Chief Operating Officer of Xstrata’s North Queensland Copper Division and former Queensland Resources Council President.

“The group will play a key role in testing and challenging concepts, ideas and draft material prior to broader industry consultation and Mr de Kruijff, as a respected leader in the resources sector, will lead this effort with distinction.

“The group will also provide government with recommendations and feedback on the 30 year vision, partnership report and ResourcesQ action plan.”

The Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche welcomed the appointment of Mr de Kruijff.

"The Queensland Resources Councils and its member companies have been enthusiastic participants in ResourcesQ and we are delighted to see such a respected industry leader as Steve de Kruijff appointed to a key role to help drive the process forward," Mr Roche said.

Mr Cripps said the Department of Natural Resources and Mines would also host a series of five regional workshops to consult industry about the ResourcesQ initiative.

“These workshops will be held in Cairns, Mount Isa, Gladstone, Roma and Emerald starting in April and will run through to June,” he said.

“There will also be a workshop in Brisbane focused on supply chain leaders on 4 April, 2014 followed by a larger ResourcesQ Forum in Brisbane in August.”

More information about the ResourcesQ initiative is available at: www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/resourcesq

[ENDS] 28 February 2014

Media contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516