Mining and Heavy Industries

Ian Macfarlane named new head of Queensland Resources Council

Coal operations at Abbot Point. Photo: North Queensland Bulk Ports

Former resources minister Ian Macfarlane will be the next chief executive of the Queensland Resources Council, the body announced this week.

Incoming president of the QRC, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance asset president Rag Udd, said the board of the council was delighted to have secured the services of someone of the calibre of Macfarlane.

Macfarlane was up until this year’s election the federal member for Groom, in Queensland. He served as resources minister for six years under the Howard Government.

“Ian has had a distinguished career in the federal parliament and for most of that time served as a Minister or shadow Minister in portfolios which included responsibility for the resources sector,” Udd said.

“Ian is much admired in the resources sector for his deep knowledge of and affinity for the sector. He has proven himself to be bipartisan in his approach to policy and advocacy.

“Ian brings to the role a deep knowledge of bureaucracy, government and industry players, which means that he will be able to hit the ground running.”

Udd also said Macfarlane’s near-seven years spent as president of the Grain Growers Association in Queensland prior to his career in politics, gave him extensive experience working in the industry association space.

“The Queensland Resources Council is a highly respected industry peak body on both sides of politics and throughout the wider community and I am honoured to be asked to build on the excellent work of outgoing Chief Executive Michael Roche,” Macfarlane said.

Udd said that an induction and handover process will commence next month and Macfarlane will formally take over as QRC boss on 17 November.

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