Published Sunday, 18 February, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
AUSTRALIA’S BOOM MOVES ABOVE THE BRISBANE LINE: BEATTIE
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will work with Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin and Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter to plan the future of industry and exports across the top end.
Mr Beattie said the region has water and a wealth of mineral resources including iron ore in the Pilbara, base metals (silver, lead, zinc and copper) in Queensland and the Northern Territory, together with a rich supply of natural gas in the north western shelf and Timor Sea, and large proven reserves of coal seam gas in the Surat and Bowen Basin.
The north, he said, was rapidly emerging as Australia’s new economic frontier.
“Now is the time to attract investment to unlock the new opportunities for value-adding our natural resources,” he said.
“Here in Queensland we have an abundance of resources, a strong industry presence and a growing population outside of Brisbane.
“We are also well advanced in developing our strategies to support the growth and development of our state’s northern economic triangle between Townsville, Bowen and Mt Isa. It has the potential to become one of the world’s great export zones.
“Imagine what could be possible if Queensland joined forces with the Territory and the West to identify our common strengths and opportunities.
“Between us we have the resources – including water – to support the emergence of industries that value-add to our natural resources, such as steel making, aluminium refining, zinc and copper processing.
“We also have the energy resources to make this a reality. That’s why we are investing in the development of new technologies to secure the sustainability of our energy sector, such as clean coal.
“We have the population, skills development programs and export infrastructure to go even further. Together, we can make a serious contribution to the nation’s economy.
“The top end is the ideal geographic gateway for exports, with our region just starting to experience the insatiable appetite of China and India, let alone demand for resources, products and services from right across the Asia Pacific region.”
Mr Beattie said Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney have played an historic role in Australia’s economic and cultural development but the dynamics for this century have changed.
“Fundamentally the old power axis on our south eastern seaboard has run its course,” he said.
“Ironically, our military planners during World War II were prepared to abandon Australia’s north.
“But the world has moved on. The economic balance has tilted northward and will continue to shift further north as the 21st century unfolds
“It is time to look above the Brisbane line.”
The first meeting between the top end Premiers and Chief Minister is expected to be held before Easter.
Media Contact: Premier's Office 07 3224 4500
Mr Beattie said the region has water and a wealth of mineral resources including iron ore in the Pilbara, base metals (silver, lead, zinc and copper) in Queensland and the Northern Territory, together with a rich supply of natural gas in the north western shelf and Timor Sea, and large proven reserves of coal seam gas in the Surat and Bowen Basin.
The north, he said, was rapidly emerging as Australia’s new economic frontier.
“Now is the time to attract investment to unlock the new opportunities for value-adding our natural resources,” he said.
“Here in Queensland we have an abundance of resources, a strong industry presence and a growing population outside of Brisbane.
“We are also well advanced in developing our strategies to support the growth and development of our state’s northern economic triangle between Townsville, Bowen and Mt Isa. It has the potential to become one of the world’s great export zones.
“Imagine what could be possible if Queensland joined forces with the Territory and the West to identify our common strengths and opportunities.
“Between us we have the resources – including water – to support the emergence of industries that value-add to our natural resources, such as steel making, aluminium refining, zinc and copper processing.
“We also have the energy resources to make this a reality. That’s why we are investing in the development of new technologies to secure the sustainability of our energy sector, such as clean coal.
“We have the population, skills development programs and export infrastructure to go even further. Together, we can make a serious contribution to the nation’s economy.
“The top end is the ideal geographic gateway for exports, with our region just starting to experience the insatiable appetite of China and India, let alone demand for resources, products and services from right across the Asia Pacific region.”
Mr Beattie said Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney have played an historic role in Australia’s economic and cultural development but the dynamics for this century have changed.
“Fundamentally the old power axis on our south eastern seaboard has run its course,” he said.
“Ironically, our military planners during World War II were prepared to abandon Australia’s north.
“But the world has moved on. The economic balance has tilted northward and will continue to shift further north as the 21st century unfolds
“It is time to look above the Brisbane line.”
The first meeting between the top end Premiers and Chief Minister is expected to be held before Easter.
Media Contact: Premier's Office 07 3224 4500