Mining’s many pluses
SINCE being elected to the Australian Senate, I’ve been a strong supporter of prodevelopment economic projects and policies in Northern Australia and in particular, North Queensland.
As a proud North Queenslander and the only North Queensland based senator, I’m for more jobs and stronger communities in the North.
So I was delighted to hear the news that Adani is committed to building the missing link of the railway line between Abbot Point and Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.
This will mean real jobs in constructing the railway line, building the mine site and operating the mine and the railway.
The announcement will give much needed confidence to would- be investors wanting to invest in North Queensland.
On top of that I was very pleased to hear Clive Palmer’s announcement that he intends to proceed with his long planned coal- fired power station in conjunction with his Waratah Coal Project in the Galilee Basin.
Now while I would normally be “over the moon” enthusiastic about this announcement which mirrors LNP policy, I am understandably cautious because of Mr Palmer’s history in completing some of the headline grabbing projects he announces.
After all, Mr Palmer’s application to build a power station in the Galilee Basin was lodged with the Queensland Coordinator- General in 2009 and lapsed in 2015.
What’s more, his Galilee coal mine and rail project has had state and federal approvals since 2013 – five years ago.
And as I understand it, his Dinosaur Park along with his much heralded Titanic project have never been completed.
So I take Clive’s power station and coal mine promise with just a grain of salt.
But I hope that project does proceed because, again, this would be a confidence boost to the North and if it ever eventuated, would provide real jobs and community wealth.
I would also support Clive’s proposals for Yabulu if he could pay off money still owing to workers and fix the apparent environmental problems associated with the plant.
Of course, Australia’s energy policy challenge is a bit more complicated than that. Our Government, under Prime Minister Scott Morrison, has made it absolutely clear that our primary concern is energy affordability and reliability.
I will do everything I can to support policies that deliver on this key policy outcome.
I will battle the crazy and costly State Government renewable energy approach.
Australia has an abundance of energy resources and a welldeveloped resources sector that has the capacity to help deliver reliable and affordable energy to consumers.
The mining industry has been a mainstay of economic opportunity in Northern Australia and regional Queensland in particular.
Along with our agriculture sector and more recently tourism, mining has created jobs, sustained local communities and underpinned the development of infrastructure in our regions.
Unfortunately, due to dishonest campaigns of activist groups around the energy and climate change, it’s getting harder to find elected representatives who are prepared to give credit where it is due and to publicly support the resources sector, especially the role it will play in our future.
To be clear, I’m for new coalfired power stations ( including one in North Queensland) where they are needed.
I’m also for new coal mines in Queensland, where they can secure the appropriate approvals. Through royalties, taxes and wages, resource projects help build our nation’s wealth and prosperity.
Here in North Queensland, I’m disgusted by the political and legal sabotage waged against Adani’s Carmichael coal mine, rail and Abbot Point port projects by those activist groups along with the Labor Party and the Greens political party.
They have robbed Townsville, Bowen, Rockhampton and other local communities of new jobs and opportunities.