Amendments to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 will aim to streamline the delivery of critical mineral projects in Queensland.
As part of the Queensland Government’s latest announcement, the reforms are designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and provide greater certainty for major projects.
By prioritising enabling infrastructure and reducing duplication, the reforms can help shorten project timelines and make Queensland more attractive for investment.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) says the proposed changes will create a new pathway for projects to be recognised as state strategic projects, while also strengthening the planning and coordination of the infrastructure needed.
CEO Warren Pearce says that for many critical mineral projects, access to well-coordinated infrastructure is often the difference between a project proceeding or stalling.
“Better planning and alignment will give greater certainty and help projects move from discovery to production faster,” Pearce says.
Capital gains tax
This news comes after the Australian Government proposed to remove the current 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount, which was first introduced in 1999.
Capital gains tax is a component of a standard income tax. It is the tax paid from the disposing of assets, including investments such as property, shares, and crypto assets.
AMEC is currently pushing for an exemption from CGT changes for mineral exploration investors, as reported.
Pearce says that if the changes are to proceed, it could negatively impact mineral exploration and companies’ ability to raise capital.
“These are high-risk, high-reward companies searching for the next discovery that could lead to new mines, deliver jobs, royalties, exports, and the minerals Australia and its trading partners need,” the CEO says.
Mining is Queensland’s largest industry, valued at $115.2 billion as of 2024-25. The sector employs nearly 550,000 people and supports over 17,600 local businesses.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: AMEC
