General News
23 April, 2025
We'll push North West Minerals Province, says Coalition
The LNP says it is keen to get more mining activity happening in the region.
The Coalition says the North West Minerals Province would be brought into sharp focus under a Peter Dutton-led government after major election announcements aimed at mining and regional development.
Senator Susan McDonald, the Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, said the Coalition had released its detailed and fully costed Plan for a Strong Resources Industry, including the expansion of the official Critical Minerals List to include uranium, along with copper, zinc, bauxite, aluminium, potash, phosphate and tin.
“These announcements will have a huge impact on the North West Minerals Province and will kickstart a modern-day mining boom,” said the Senator, who is also running for re-election.
“Adding copper and uranium – both in abundance in the North West – to the Critical Minerals List is a game-changer and something the copper industry has long been calling for.
“As new technology emerges, the world will need twice as much copper as has been mined in the past 200 years.
“Copper’s inclusion on the list opens up special government incentives, funding and approvals processes which will aid in the establishment of new mines and secure the viability of the copper smelter at Mount Isa.
Senator McDonald said an increase in mining activity would benefit Queensland via the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund to be established under a Coalition government and funded by mining revenue.
“This means wealth created in the regions will go back to the regions, and it’s in addition to – not instead of – other government funding streams,” she said.
“Regional Queensland will no longer be competing with metropolitan areas for funding for important community infrastructure, job creation and improved roads.”
LNP candidate for Kennedy Annette Swaine said the Coalition’s announcements would improve regional economies.
“This is one of the most significant announcements for North Queensland in recent memory,” she said.
“Combined with CopperString coming online, North Queensland will become an even more attractive place to live, do business and raise a family.”