QLD coal to counter Putin plan and climate change

Former resources minister Matt Canavan says Queensland coal mines should increase production to “deal with climate change”, as cheap Russian coal threatens to flood the market.

FORMER resources minister Matt Canavan says Queensland coal mines should increase production to “deal with climate change”.

The comments follow an aggressive push earlier this month by Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase coal exports from the country’s eastern ports to meet growing demand in the Asia Pacific region.

Russia exported 112 million tonnes of coal to the region last year but Mr Putin said there was “additional demand” the country could meet.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says coal is good and his country should export more to the Asia Pacific region. Picture: Alexey Druzhinin/AFP

“It is important not to pass up this opportunity; flexibly using the logistics capabilities of our transport system, we should increase the export capacity of the domestic coal industry,” he said according to a translation on the Kremlin website.

“And this, I emphasise, means new jobs and higher incomes for people employed in this industry and Russia’s transport sector.”

Senator Canavan said it would be a disaster for climate change if low-quality, high-polluting Russian coal replaced Australian coal in developing countries such as India.

Former resources minister Matt Canavan says burning Queensland coal instead of Russian coal would help the planet reduce climate change. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

“Every time a greenie stops or slows a Queensland mine, Putin puts on an Adidas three-stripe tracksuit and does a Russian squat dance in celebration,” he said.

“If we don’t develop our coal, carbon emissions will go up because countries will just get their coal from lower quality nations.

“To deal with climate change we should be increasing Queensland coal mining because our coal produces lower emissions and is better for the environment.”

Resources and Northern Australia Minister Keith Pitt said other coal producing countries such as Russia would “clearly fill the market” if Australia reduced its exports.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt is worried poor quality coal from Russia could fill the Asian market if Australia reduced exports.

“Where there’s demand there will be supply and if there’s a shortfall there will be a premium price to be paid and we want to make sure Australia stays in the market and keeps delivering,” he said.

Adani Australia country head and CEO Lucas Dow said Australia had an opportunity to capitalise on the growing demand for thermal coal in India and Asia.

“Population growth in India and Asia will continue to increase and, with it, the demand for thermal coal, which means Australia can grow its coal exports and receive the economic benefits from doing so, or other countries are ready, willing and waiting to cut our grass.”