Xstrata is a commercial operation that will always ere on the side of a cost/benefit analysis and as most multi-national companies are conscious of return on investment. The Copperstring project was on this basis always going to be debatable.

Mr Pattel said, "The addition of green energy technology will compliment the power system. A venture such as Copperstring was designed to help support the proposed clean energy projects along the North West corridor. What is really needed is a main base load power source. It is fanciful to think that we can meet the power needs of the State into the next decade without a considerable increase in capacity."

The building of new power generation facilities in Queensland should be a priority in the coming decade to meet demand. Those in Government should be looking at all alternative power sources and working towards the facilitation of safe and clean technologies for their use. A Liberal National Party Government must investigate and develop an alternative power source to meet the developing and expanding economy of the states north west.

If we are to get affordable and reliable power into the homes of Queenslanders government will need to become pro-active in maintaining investment and ownership of our power supplies. We can't allow the needs of multi-national companies to dictate the agenda.

"What we need is constructive alternatives that will address the problem of power supply in the North West mineral province. A Campbell Newman lead LNP government will explore every solution for the long term, not for the moment," Mr Pattel said.