Call for recognition of coal’s key economic role

Coal Australia is calling on the Albanese Government to commit to genuine reform ahead of the upcoming election, saying this week's Budget failed to recognise the importance of coal mining. The industry group argues that the 2025-26 Federal Budget missed a vital opportunity to put genuine downward pressure on energy costs, instead relying on a handout to households rather than substantive measures to promote the cheapest form of electricity generation; coal. Coal Australia chief executive officer Stuart Bocking. “The Government has used this Budget to subsidise Australian green metals using taxpayer funding, when instead they should be focused on backing mining projects that are economically viable and do not need government handouts to stand on their own two feet,” Coal Australia chief executive officer Stuart Bocking said. "Every Australian family depends on affordable energy, secure employment and a thriving economy. Our coal mining communities deliver all three. "It’s time the government stopped holding Australia back and instead allowed this nation to achieve the prosperity it deserves." The Budget fell dramatically short of removing restrictive regulations and legislation that held back the nation’s coal mining communities, Coal Australia said. "We cannot tax or regulate our way to economic resilience. We need to be creating more opportunities for our coal mining communities, with jobs and investment in coal mining certain to chart a path back towards a budget surplus,” Mr Bocking said. Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter (pictured above) joined the chorus on coal and criticised the lack of Budget support for the critical minerals sector. "The 'Future Made in Australia' has been hijacked by the wokie Greens as a junket for costly renewables," he said. "The critical minerals sector is a strategic asset for this country, and yet the government is sitting on its backside while promising that we'll be swimming in wealth. We'll be drowning in foreign ownership and green tape. "The so-called 'use it or lose it' legislation is needed to address the bottlenecks in mineral extraction, but the reality is that new mines are being held to ransom by unnecessary regulations. "Significant investment is required to ensure Mount Isa remains the industrial and service hub of the North West Minerals Province. This Budget lacks that detail," Mr Katter said. "And coal should not be regarded as a dirty word but instead be seen as a cheap and reliable energy solution to provide for Australia's wealth and economic generation for many years to come. "We make no apologies for being the black warriors. Coal is King."

Call for recognition of coal’s key economic role

Industry Queensland

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