Feel pain but no gain from boom
THE mining boom in Queensland might be big but it certainly isn’t broad. While the mining industry tries to suggest otherwise, the simple fact is millions of Queenslanders bear the pain of the mining boom without receiving any of the gain. Yes, the mining industry employs people and yes, they spend some of their money in local shops and yes, the mining companies even pay some tax, but that does not mean the average Queenslander is benefiting from the boom.
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