The importance of the Queensland coal sector to the state and national economy has been highlighted in a major new report confirming coal is set to bring in record export earnings.
Coal is set to become just the second Australian commodity to break through the $100 billion annual export mark and reach a forecast $110 billion in 2021–22.
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the figures are part of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources’ March 2022 edition of the Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ) to be released next week.
“Coal is making a significant contribution to a very successful year for Australia’s resources and energy sector,” Minister Pitt said.
“The latest REQ report has found that soaring demand and high prices for Australia’s coal will be a key contributor to our total resources and export earnings.
“Critical global shortages in energy and some resource commodities have led to the high prices for some of our commodities.”
Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said the new figures show how much is at stake for regional Queensland in this election.
“The jobs and economic opportunities the coal sector provides are critically important to our region and the Coalition Government will ensure that continues well into the future,” Ms Landry said.
“We can’t risk the future of our coal sector to Labor who’ll be led around by The Greens. It would be the end of central Queensland’s coal mining.”
Senator for Queensland Matthew Canavan said our coal workers need a Government in Canberra that supports them, not one that will try and kill their jobs.
“Nearly 92 per cent of metallurgical coal exports came from Queensland in 2021, which means billions of extra dollars in royalties and taxes to pay for the services we all rely on,” Senator Canavan said.
“We should be thanking our coal miners for the work they do, not threatening to take away their jobs which is what will happen under a Labor-Green alliance.”
LNP Candidate for Flynn Colin Boyce said Queensland’s coal industry can continue delivering jobs for the regions for decades.
“There are 91 new major resources and energy projects in the pipeline in Queensland, which will deliver thousands of new jobs, especially in regional areas,” Mr Boyce said.
“The men and women working in the coal sector throughout regional Queensland, have helped provide the bedrock for the state’s economy through the COVID pandemic.”
Minister Pitt said the efforts of Australia’s resources workers have helped put the country on track to deliver record high resources and energy export earnings.
“These earnings will keep the benefits flowing to all Australians, including through royalties the states use to pay for services such as the hospitals, roads and schools, we all rely on.”