Allan Dale (Professor in Tropical Regional Development, The Cairns Institute at James Cook University) argues that it need to be a matter of either jobs or the environment, and offers six tips on how to bridge the divide.
‘Queensland isn’t the only place where the political narrative has see-sawed from heavy-handed regulation to blinkered developmentalism. But the Sunshine State now has an opportunity to show the rest of the nation how this mindset can be overcome.
‘Queenslanders now expect a more nuanced approach that delivers better environmental outcomes and economic growth and jobs. Neither of the major political parties in Australia has yet devised such an approach. Hopefully, these six tips might encourage the Queensland, Commonwealth and other governments around the country shift their thinking.’