Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Canavan for the further question and, indeed, for the invitation!

In terms of threats, Senator Canavan and others know a little more about Queensland politics than me, but it's tempting to say that one of those threats could indeed be Jackie Trad, as I understand it—a name that I hear again and again in terms of the risks that are faced by the Queensland resources sector. Sadly, Queensland, even coming in pre COVID, had amongst the highest unemployment, the highest level of bankruptcies and the lowest business confidence in Australia. It's an economy that is so reliant on the resources, energy and mining sectors. That's why it's disappointing to see delays in approvals for developments such as New Hope's New Acland Stage 3. It's a prime example of legal and bureaucratic intervention delaying the potential creation of new jobs and new opportunities in a state like Queensland. And of course losing the potential for 500 additional jobs through these types of delays doesn't— (Time expired)