QUEENSLANDERS should cut Alan Jones some slack as he hits their airwaves this week.

No doubt the notorious broadcaster’s trademark nastiness and unique mix of abuse and vitriol will confuse and shock many Queenslanders. But people should appreciate that many years on the Sydney waterfront with a butler in tow and a chauffeur on tap can leave a man a little disconnected from the reality of Queensland life circa 2015.

While we live in a state where both sides of politics have traditionally ignored him, not everywhere is like this. Jones is actually taken quite seriously by some in his home town of Sydney, where his progressive lifestyle and inner-city views have resulted in him becoming the pin-up boy of anti-development politicians, such as Jeremy Buckingham of the Greens.

Some people say Jones too strenuously denies what is obvious to many (that the resources sector is good for Australia), but Jones has one or two political boosters up here as well, such as Greens Senator Larissa Waters.

In fact, it is fair to assume the Queensland Greens warmly welcome the arrival of their favourite Sydney shock-jock to hector us about the evils of our way of life. After all, they see no issue with flying in candidates to many of this state’s 89 electorates.

But rather than switching off Jones’ torrent of bile and venom, Queenslanders should consider tuning in. If we offer a willing ear, perhaps Jones will, in turn, become more inclined to listen to what Queenslanders think.

media_camera Radio broadcaster Alan Jones.

From a gas industry perspective, the contrast between Queensland and where Jones is from could not be more stark.

Leadership and good sense from both sides of politics in Queensland has in recent times delivered more than $60 billion in gas industry investment and tens of thousands of Queensland jobs. And, as of last month, Queensland is exporting a cleaner form of energy to the world. For decades to come, billions of dollars in natural gas royalties will help fund the schools, hospitals, public transport and regional initiatives Queensland needs.

Jones’ home state of NSW is unfortunately facing a rather different scenario. Despite possessing enough natural gas to meet the state’s current demand for something like 500 years, NSW continues to import 95 per cent of its supply, household gas prices are rising by more than 10 per cent per annum, and a supply shortage is predicted to hit as soon as next year.

The anti-CSG movement has largely vacated Queensland as no-nonsense Queenslanders saw through its pseudoscience and scare campaigns. Queensland’s farmers and gas producers are today working side-by-side to deliver mutual benefit far removed from the environmental Armageddon so often promised by Jones and his fellow-travellers.

The gas industry hopes a few weeks in Brisbane will result in Jones flying back to Sydney a little happier and with a greater understanding of what makes our state such a great place to live and work. But we realise he can’t do it alone. Please do what you can to help.

Paul Fennelly is the eastern Australia CEO of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.