That is primarily from BG Group’s Queensland Curtis LNG, Australia’s fourth overall LNG project.

Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt yesterday welcomed the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics which showed the strength of the Queensland economy and the state’s newest major export industry.

According to ABS data released this week, LNG exports contributed to a 15.7% increase in the nominal value of Queensland’s overseas merchandise exports in the August quarter, compared to the same period last year.

“The LNG industry has exported $1.38 billion worth of gas from January to August; and exports should ramp up further over the next year as all six LNG plants from three projects become fully operational,” Pitt said.

“But the LNG industry isn’t our only bright spot, with other sectors of the economy also driving Queensland’s export growth.

The growth was also driven by a 9.7% increase in coal exports and a 33.4% in beef exports the 12 months to the August quarter.

Queensland’s crops exports also grew by $315 million, with grain sorghum exports $241 million higher over the year.