“Northern Queensland contributes so much to the nation, but given its distance from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra is often ignored by decision makers who repeatedly underestimate its contribution and lumps it with far too many economic burdens,” said Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs.
This week, the IPA team, including Dr Peter Ridd, will visit Mount Isa, Townsville and Cairns, as part of the IPA’s Australia: Our Future research programme, to listen to local communities about the role northern Australia can play in securing and driving the nation forward.
“Northern Australia—the region encompassing Northern Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory—is key to fuelling and sustaining the nation’s economic prosperity through its strong resource and agricultural industries,” said Mr Wild.
“Yet, despite this, the region remains underdeveloped, private investment is subdued due to high taxes, young people are leaving the broader region in higher numbers, and many policies demanded by the inner-city elites and the political class threaten vital local industries.”
“Embracing ideas such as a Special Economic Zone in Northern Australia will enable policy settings that address worker shortages, reduce tax and red tape burdens on northern Queensland industries, and encourage Australians to stay and invest in the region,” said Mr Wild.
Previous IPA research found the emissions reduction policies of the Queensland state government are working against this goal and will put up to 157,000 jobs at risk across the state, with over 32,000 jobs at risk in the greater northern Queensland region.
“Many regional communities face the risk of being wiped out as the local industries they rely on for employment, and the rest of the country relies on for energy and food, are to be destroyed due to reckless emission reduction policies,” said Mr Wild.
“We need political leaders to back the regions like northern Queensland. Our regions have so much promise and potential but are being held back by short-sighted policies which risk closing critical industries, and ending well-paid, full-time jobs.”
The IPA’s research tour of northern Queensland follows those which have included Victoria’s Central Highlands, Western Districts and the Mallee, South West Western Australia, regional New South Wales, along with several tours throughout regional Queensland.
“The political class and inner-city elites who demand policies, such as net zero, are never the ones who are most impacted by them. It is working Australians in the outer-suburbs and rural and regional areas that get left with the bill and left behind,” said Mr Wild.
“Australia relies on our regions to put food on our tables and keep the lights on, yet these communities are being held back by short-sighted policies which risk closing our critical industries, destroying jobs, and driving energy bills and grocery prices higher.”
To download previous IPA research click here.
