Labor trading on LNP initiatives

Labor has continued to take credit for the hard work done by the former LNP Government to encourage investment in the struggling exploration sector and grow the resources industry in Queensland.

Shadow Minister for Mines Andrew Cripps said today’s announcement of 16 successful projects under the Collaborative Drilling Program, were funded as part of the LNP’s Future Resources initiative.

“The Mines Minister Anthony Lynham has dressed this announcement up as Labor’s own, but the reality is he’s handing in the homework the LNP did in government,” Mr Cripps said.

“The Future Resources initiative was a hugely successful $30 million commitment by the LNP to boost exploration throughout Queensland and it appears Labor is desperate to take credit for it.

“During the last sitting of the Queensland Parliament in March, the Minister talked up the expansion of the Drill Core Library at Zillmere – another project the LNP approved through the Future Resources initiative.

“These grants are good news for exploration sector in the resources industry. The $1.4 million will see a number of areas assessed for potential future mining projects, particularly in regional Queensland.

“The funds will be used by innovative explorers with promising projects and I know the Geological Survey of Queensland will have thoroughly examined the proposals to maximise future opportunities.”

Mr Cripps said the LNP’s Future Resources initiative was welcomed and supported by the resources sector in Queensland, because it was a genuine show of support for one of the cornerstones of the state’s economy.

“It is unfortunate that three months after becoming Queensland’s new Mines Minister Anthony Lynham is still unable to point to any of his own initiatives to support the resources sector in Queensland,” he said.

“During the last sitting of parliament, Mr Lynham also boasted about signing a Memorandum of Understanding with South Australia about the joint development of the Cooper Basin – another initiative I announced as Minister.

“The real test for Labor will be when they run out of our initiatives the LNP developed to support the resources sector and Cabinet has to do something to support industry and jobs.”

Mr Cripps said the Palaszczuk Government’s track record of banning uranium mining, delaying development of the port at Abbot Point and casting doubt over the approval of Stage Three of the Acland coal project, was causing concern for the resources sector in Queensland.

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