Opinion: Greens’ ban on coalmining will trash economy
If ever we needed proof the Greens are on another planet when it comes to economic prosperity, look no further than their latest move against coalmining, writes Peter Gleeson.
Opinion
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IF EVER we needed proof that the Greens are on another planet when it comes to economic prosperity in Queensland, look no further than its plan to ban coal production in the Galilee Basin.
Five weeks ago, Greens MP Michael Berkman stealthily introduced an amendment Bill to State Parliament with the aim to stop all coal production in the Galilee Basin. He did it on the grounds that coal production in the Galilee Basin would increase global warming.
It would mean the end of coalmines such as Adani Carmichael, China Stone, Kevin’s Corner and South Galilee.
Stopping those coalmines would cost regional Queensland thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in annual royalties.
The Berkman Bill was referred to the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee for detailed consideration.
The explanatory notes outline that the objective of the Bill is to “contribute to Australia’s commitment to pursue efforts to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels by 2100 by preventing any coal mining in the Galilee Basin’’.
To achieve its policy objectives, the Bill will amend the Mineral Resources Act 1989 to stop all coalmining in the Galilee Basin.
In effect, the Bill prohibits the grant of a coalmining lease for land in the Galilee Basin, terminates any existing coalmining leases for land in the Galilee Basin, amends any existing coalmining leases that overlap with land in the Galilee Basin to exclude that land, confirms that no compensation is payable to the mining lease holders affected by the Bill, and requires Mines Minister Anthony Lynham to table a report in the Legislative Assembly summarising the actions taken under the provisions of the Bill.
This Bill is a massive test for the Queensland Government.
There’s no doubt that some people on the Left of the Labor Party will come under pressure to back the Berkman amendment.
It comes as pressure mounts on prime-minister-in-waiting Bill Shorten to scuttle the Adani project, the 21st century version of the Franklin Dam battle.
As federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan observed, how can an inner-city Greens MP be putting up changes to legislation that effectively sabotages jobs thousands of kilometres away? It’s ridiculous.
The stakes for the Queensland Government are high.
The Queensland Resources Council is finalising its projections for royalty taxes payable to the Government with higher prices and stronger demand for the state’s coal. Treasurer Jackie Trad is set to update the Budget outlook in the fortnight before Christmas, and Resources Council boss Ian Macfarlane projects a major boost from coal.
Queensland coal is generating record exports, supporting strong jobs growth and paying more royalty taxes back to the Government.
The only real risk are homegrown ones such as regulation or red tape.
Then there’s this myth that the indigenous elders have sold out their own on supporting Adani. The indigenous leaders know and understand what big mining projects are worth to the prosperity of Queensland.
They don’t need patronising and idealistic platitudes from the Greens or Labor lightweights on how to run their lives.
Berkman was comprehensively outpolled on the primary vote by sitting LNP member Scott Emerson at the last election, and got into Parliament as Member for Maiwar on Labor preferences — another example where first-past-the-post polling delivers better electoral outcomes.
Labor should shut down this Bill immediately.
Boxing a knockout attraction
ANTHONY Mundine is a complex guy.
He’s a polarising figure, and much of what he has said publicly over the years was just plain dumb.
But nobody could ever say he wasn’t a showman, an entertainer.
And when it comes to the box office, there has never been a boxer with his pulling power.
Mundine puts bum on seats and his pay-per-view statistics are incomparable in this country.
It’s important to acknowledge Mundine’s contribution to Australian sport.
He was a fine boxer and an equally good rugby league player.
It’s also timely to acknowledge the current major events strategy spearheaded by Tourism Minister Kate Jones.
Not everybody supports government contributions to major events. I can understand that criticism, even though it’s short-sighted and lacks vision.
On the international stage, Brisbane has become a powerhouse in the boxing arena.
The success of Jeff Horn has transformed the way Brisbane is perceived as an international boxing destination.
On Friday night, the atmosphere in Brisbane – and for that matter in pubs and clubs throughout the nation – was electric.
This was a big event and the state’s capital was pulsating. Wherever you went, the fight dominated discussion.
The talk has now switched to a Horn fight on Surfers Paradise Beach.
What a fantastic promotion. What better way to promote our state’s greatest and most iconic beach.
Bring it on.
Gone to the dogs
THERE’S good news from Racing Queensland on prizemoney levels for the greyhounds — but still no word on a new track.
The other disconcerting factor is the fate of the former Border Park club.
The land at Tweed Heads was sold by the club two years ago for a hefty sum, but nothing has happened since.
Capalaba goes to TAB meetings from next Sunday, and local Labor MP Don Brown is over the moon.
The Grafton club is refurbishing its track with the suggestion being it will be among the best tracks in the country.
That means Queensland’s best trainers are invariably heading to northern NSW to race, with the lack of a one-turn track in southeast Queensland.
Turnaround expert
NINE News Queensland’s former news director Mike Dalton is heading to Perth to turn its newsroom around.
Dalton, who has been establishing Nine’s regional newsroom network, got a call-up from Nine news boss Darren Wick.
Perth is a major concern for Nine, with Seven dominating the news ratings.
With the Nine-Fairfax merger to take effect early next week, expect a couple of interesting appointments out of Queensland.
In the swing
FORMER Rocky lad Jake McLeod is off to the European Tour after winning the Australasian Order of Merit.
The son of former energy sector boss Ian McLeod, Jake was a champion schoolboy golfer. His recent form has been outstanding and he’s following in the footsteps of great Queenslanders like Greg Norman, Jason Day and Adam Scott playing the European Tour before hitting the big time.
Too hot for Facebook
CHERISH Life, the anti-abortion group, put a meme up on Facebook where it said the Queensland Government protects poisonous snakes, snake eggs, crocodiles, sharks but it kills unborn babies. Facebook quickly censored it.
True everyday heroes
A BIG shout-out to the emergency services people involved in fighting the fires ravaging Queensland.
This is scary stuff, and they’ve shown resilience and fortitude throughout.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is said to be getting just four hours’ sleep a night the past week.
Rory Gibson reveals the one thing women should never do
I know we are in holiday mode, but if you don’t mind I’d like your opinion on an issue of great importance before we all clock off for the year.
Think outside box with Olympic bid
Today readers have their say on Queensland’s bid for the 2032 Olympic Games, the volcano tragedy in New Zealand and an inquiry into veterans’ suicide.