QRC work
Information on the work and activities of QRC in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic including correspondence, member surveys and media.
Media statements
The latest media statements on COVID-19 from QRC:
- You can count on us: Queensland Resources Council
- Legislate to secure resource role in COVID-19 recovery
- QRC urges Queensland Government to copy WA plan for resource role in COVID-19 recovery
- QRC applauds Glencore’s $725,000 UQ COVID-19 vaccine investment
- More Red Tape and Bureaucracy with the Palaszczuk Government’s $8M Rehabilitation Commissioner
- Resource exports keep Queensland earning overseas amid COVID-19 fallout
- Resources jobs steady, supported by coal: ABS
- Stable royalties required – don’t risk regional recovery from COVID-19
- Resource jobs momentum to continue despite COVID-19: State of the Sector
- Resource sector employment boost for post COVID-19 recovery
- Premier calls in QRC for resource role in Queensland COVID-19 recovery
- QRC shares new Minister’s ambition for Regional Development and COVID-19 recovery
- More than 1000 new jobs closer with Olive Downs mine approval milestone
- Resource exports holding up despite COVID-19
- QRC welcomes new Ministers and focussed on partnership in COVID-19 recovery
- QRC welcomes explorer package to boost resource jobs
- QRC applauds Glencore’s investment to secure COVID-19 testing equipment for Mount Isa
- Miners welcome ACCC OK for COVID-19 cooperation
- Queensland resources sector encourages workers to download COVIDSafe app
- QRC welcomes BHP’s investment into COVID-19 testing centres
- Miner victory in Queensland COVID-19 response
- Resource companies to fly essential family members, health officers to regional communities
- Arrow investment boosts resource role in Queensland’s COVID-19 recovery
- QRC donates $2000 for seafarer care packages
- Resource exports strong but COVID-19 impacts to come
- QRC COVID-19 update: travel restrictions
- QRC statement on COVID-19 new border restrictions
- Miners to play major role in Queensland COVID-19 job recovery
- Resources sector’s commitment as an ‘essential’ industry to COVID-19 response and recovery
- Queensland resources going strong into COVID-19: survey
- Queensland’s resources sector’s “people first” COVID-19 response
- Payroll tax deferral boosts cash flow for mining companies and suppliers
Social media
Interview footage of QRC CEO Ian Macfarlane
Resources role in COVID-19 recovery
Company implementation of FIFO measures
Resources major role in COVID-19 recovery
Queensland resources strong going into COVID-19
QRC COVID-19 Working Group
Since February, the QRC COVID-19 Working Group has maintained in regular contact with the sector’s leaders and safety experts with a twice-weekly teleconference meeting. As an industry, it remains critical we continue to share information and inform our resource communities and the broader Queensland community about the industry’s response to COVID-19.
The Working Group is made up of one representative per QRC full member company. Local and state Government have been invited to join the second-half hour of the call to provide and receive updates.
To view the briefing summaries from past teleconference meetings of the working group, click here.
QRC surveys
The QRC has developed several surveys to understand the impacts and challenges facing its members throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the QRC’s surveys have focused on the workforce challenges and safety initiatives undertaken by its members. The results obtained have greatly assisted the QRC to provide factual and timely advice to local, state and federal authorities.
In particular, the results from QRC member surveys have assisted the QRC to:
- Demonstrate the ‘people first’ approach of the sector – QRC members have undertaken a range of measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including staff education, enforcement of social distancing measures, securing chartered flights, temperature testing staff before travel, and offering opportunities to live locally.
- Reliably advise authorities on the impacts of border restrictions – QRC advice demonstrated the significant steps taken by members to constrain interstate FIFO to a small number of critical workers.
- Establish the industry’s role in Queensland’s post-COVID-19 recovery – At a time when large parts of the Queensland economy are struggling, survey results showed that 58% of QRC member CEOs said they planned to maintain or increase their workforce over the next three months.
The QRC sincerely appreciates the tireless efforts of its members to respond to the surveys despite the challenging times. Your assistance has greatly supported the sector to develop a range of workable protocols and initiatives to protect resource sector workers and the communities in which they operate.
QRC correspondence
Resource Industry Recovery Agenda
AMEC and QRC have outlined 40 recommendations focused on industry recovery spanning infrastructure investment, fiscal stability, Regulatory and streamlining reform and industry initiatives.
Click here to view the Resource Industry Recovery Agenda
QRC Streamlining Report
The report is a decade review of the 2009/2010 streamlining project and offers 20 recommendations focused on streamlining and efficiency improvements of the assessment and operating processes.
Click here to view the Streamlining Report
Government Assistance Requested
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane wrote to Premier Palaszczuk on 23 March to support the Queensland Government’s swift action to assist business since the pandemic of COVID-19 was declared. Further to the measures already put in place such as the payroll tax deferral, QRC suggested a variety of immediate support measures which Government could provide to the sector over the next six months (outlined below).
Primarily, these measures should focus on ‘suspend and extend’ – an explicit suspension of required compliance with work program activities and an extension of upcoming relinquishment requirements.
- Provide relief from operational fees and charges such as tenure rents, applications, transaction fees and Environmental Authority annual fees;
- Suspension of strict compliance on work program timeframes and expenditures on tenures;
- Extend (or provide relief) for compliance with Environmental Authorities where activities necessary to meet conditions are affected by COVID-19;
- Accelerate industry support initiatives, such as the Collaborative Exploration Initiative; and
- Suspend live regulatory reforms that are currently generating operational uncertainty for industry such as the Lake Eyre Basin proposal.
QRC received the following advice from the Department on 16 April 2020:
The department understands that the resources sector, along with many other important parts of the Queensland economy, is experiencing difficulties in the current economic climate.
It is important that resource companies that have concerns around their ability to meet their tenure obligations, as a result of COVID-19, remain in close contact with the department so that we can work with them through these challenges.
Applications for variations to work program and expenditure commitments can be submitted via normal lodgement processes, such as MyMinesOnline.
Letter to regional Mayors
Click here to see a letter to mayors from QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane (sent 30 March), outlining how companies are responding to new protocols and procedures and implementing these across their organisations as a matter of urgency.
QRC member company initiatives
Queensland’s resources sector understands the community concerns about coronavirus and is strictly following the advice of health authorities to stop the spread. Aside from implementing and enforcing procedures across all areas of operation to adhere to national protocols, the industry continues to work collectively with governments, suppliers, communities and employees across the state during this difficult time.
See below for a few examples of how QRC’s member companies are assisting our communities:
AGL Energy COVID-19 Customer Support Program
For retail customers and small and medium business customers who are impacted by COVID-19, AGL are extending payment terms and suspending disconnections.
Anglo American Community Response Plan
Anglo American is reducing payment terms for all small-to-medium business to 14 days, supporting vulnerable groups through their grants programme and helping with critical supplies to regions.
Anglo donation of laptops
Our member company Anglo American is supporting the communities in which they operate by donating devices to help with at home learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 100 laptop computers and mobile broadband connections will help ensure families in Middlemount, Moranbah, Moura, Theodore and Banana have access to the technology they need to support their education and advance their technology skills.
Aurizon donation towards UQ’s COVID-19 vaccine development
Aurizon has provided a $250,000 donation towards the development of a COVID-19 vaccine by the University of Queensland (UQ) using its breakthrough Molecular Clamp technology.
BHP donation to set up clinics
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on public health facilities across Australia. BHP has donated $7.59 million to Vanguard Health Australia which will help set up and service two clinics in Central Queensland offering walk-in, drive-in, telehealth and regional outreach facilities.
BHP Vital Resources Fund
BHP will establish a $50 million (AUD) Vital Resources Fund to help support regional Australian communities in its areas of operation through the challenges of COVID-19.
Glencore NQ Metals PPE donation for Mount Isa
Glencore donated hundreds of pairs of plastic goggles to the Mount Isa Hospital to help frontline emergency staff to provide essential services amongst the COVID-19 pandemic
Glencore employing displaced staff from Spotless Group
The resources industry is employing displaced staff from Spotless Group hospitality business due to the effects of COVID-19. Employees who provided catering services at Brisbane City Hall will temporarily relocate to support our member company Glencore with their increased operational demand.
Glencore investing in UQ development of COVID vaccine
QRC member company Glencore has invested $725,000 into the The University of Queensland’s development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mitsubishi Development and Wesley Medical Research
QRC member company Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd has partnered with the Wesley Medical Research’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Research Centre to deliver vital mental health services in the Bowen Basin, aiming to help communities through the hardships caused by the pandemic.
Origin’s response to Coronavirus
Origin Energy has committed to not disconnect any residential or mall business customers in financial stress until at least 31 July 2020, not listing defaults for customers who have trouble paying and pausing all late payment fees.
Rio Tinto’s COVID-19 contributions
Rio Tinto has invested $25 million globally to support initiatives such as the supply of masks and protective equipment to emergency and health professionals, donations to national and local communities and hospitals and further investment in education and financial literacy programs.
South32 Supporting our Communities
South32 are contributing US$5 million globally to our communities to areas that need it most, which includes providing access to essential hygiene and medical supplies, developing public health education campaigns and supporting those at risk who cannot access critical goods and services.
Companies continuing with Apprenticeships despite COVID
Glencore, BHP and Hastings Deering will push ahead with their apprenticeship intake programs for 2021 to help fast-track the State’s economy post COVID-19. 150 opportunities across the three intakes.
Follow QRC on our social media channels to keep informed of our member company’s initiatives.