Photo by: Bloomberg
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australia’s Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Matt Canavan, has warned that attacks on the coal industry could threaten more than 180 000 jobs and A$30-billion in economic activity in Queensland.
Canavan accused the Labor party of throwing its weight behind the Greens party, in undermining the confidence in the coal industry, including a push to shut down coal-fired power stations.
“This directly puts at risk the jobs and income generated by the industry in Queensland.
“In 2015/16, the mining industry generated more than A$55-billion in economic activity across Queensland, and coal was the largest contributor, accounting for 58% of direct spending, followed by the gas sector on 23% and the metals sector on 15%.”
Canavan said the latest industry figures indicated the coal industry in Queensland in 2015/16 paid A$2.7-billion in wages to more than 19 000 full-time employees.
“As well as wages, our coal industry in Queensland spent a further A$11.3-billion on goods and services and on community contributions, and paid A$1.6-billion in royalties. Indirect, flow-on benefits generated another A$17.1-billion and provided full-time employment for a further 164 000 people.”
He said the coal industry was vitally important to regional Queensland in particular, where in the regions surrounding Gladstone, Rockhampton and Mackay, the coal industry last financial year generated A$11.6-billion in economic activity and provided almost 80 000 full-time jobs.