‘Coal jobs well beyond 2040’: Net zero details revealed

Despite senior Morrison Government ministers pledging that Queensland coal miners will have a job “well beyond 2040 and probably well beyond 2050”, regional MPs remain concerned about how the net zero plan will be received.

Incentives for mining and manufacturing industries to adapt to a net zero economy, as well as a refusal to force the closure of resources or agricultural industries, are expected to be part of the Morrison Government’s net zero plan to be revealed on Tuesday.

But there are fears in the government over how its net zero emissions plan will be received in regional Queensland.

While senior Morrison Government ministers have pledged central Queensland coal miners will have a job “well beyond 2040 and probably well beyond 2050”, regional MPs remain concerned the policy will see them lose votes to minor parties like One Nation and Katter’s Australia Party.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt has been promoted back from the outer ministry to Cabinet. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Resources Minister Keith Pitt has been promoted from the outer ministry into Cabinet, as one part of the deal for the National party to support the net zero policy, a move which drew criticism from the Opposition as the government “only looking out for their own jobs”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison his government would not break its promise at the last election by increasing it’s 2030 emissions reduction target of 26-28 per cent of 2005 levels.

But he said the burden of taking climate action “should not fall unfairly on rural and regional Australians”.

“We want our heavy industries, like mining, to stay open, remain competitive and adapt, so they remain viable for as long as global demand allows. Our plan is not about shutting anything down,” Mr Morrison said.

“We will not support any mandate – domestic or international – to force closure of our resources or agricultural industries.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce secured a deal for the Coalition Government to commit to net zero emissions by 2050. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The policy is also expected to have a focus on hydrogen and carbon capture and storage technologies.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the National party had fought for amendments to the plan, which now meant “if you’re a coal miner today in central Queensland you will have a job well beyond 2030, well beyond 2040 and probably well beyond 2050”.

Senator Matt Canavan, who continues to campaign against the climate policy, said he will “review every piece of emissions reduction legislation” that goes through the senate.

“I reckon there will be a lot of stupid laws coming through on the back of this net zero madness,” he said.

Kel Appleton, the Clermont publican who organised the counter rally to the 2019 anti-Adani rally, has lashed out at the Liberal and Labor parties in the wake of its net zero decision.

“We have been lied to and let down … it’s obvious no one cares about our industry,” he posted on social media.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said any commitment to net zero emissions should be legislated.

“The only beneficiary of the change of policy is the Minister for Resources. It’s always about them, not about the substance of what Australia needs,” Mr Albanese said.