Traditional industries safe with us, says Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese says there will be a bright future for Queensland’s traditional industries under a federal Labor government.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese in Brisbane on Friday. Picture: Dan Peled

Anthony Albanese says there will be a bright future for Queensland’s traditional industries under a federal Labor government, with the “high quality” coal mined in the state remaining “highly sought overseas”.

The Opposition Leader will use an address at Labor’s Queensland state conference on Saturday to say there will be a role for resources as Australia works ­towards a net-zero emissions ­future.

“We believe in ensuring Queensland’s traditional industries have a future,” he will say. “Mining, for example, makes up almost 12 per cent of Queensland’s economy. Queensland’s coal and bauxite … reserves are of such high quality, they are – and will remain – highly sought ­overseas.”

Insisting Labor wants to be at the forefront of a “clean energy revolution”, Mr Albanese will say it is also “crucial” to back emerging industries that will become growing employers in a low-emission economy, including the renewables and hydrogen ­sectors.

“And in many cases, the new industries are being supported by our traditional ones,” Mr Albanese will say. “For example, it takes more than 200 tonnes of metallurgical coal to produce one wind turbine. According to forecasts of global growth in wind power capacity to 2030, Australia could be exporting 15.5 million tonnes of coking coal to build these turbines.

“This is the equivalent of three years output from the Moranbah North coking coal mine in Queensland. Meanwhile, Queensland’s abundance of sunshine and wind resources and your massive opportunities in ­hydrogen will be key to Australia realising its potential as a renewable energy superpower.”

Labor’s policies and language on coal and gas have been a source of internal tension as Mr Albanese tries to win back resources seats in Queensland and Western Australia while retaining the party’s climate change credentials.

Attempting to cast doubt over Mr Albanese’s claim Labor supported the resources sector, Scott Morrison this week said there was a difference between the party’s words and ­actions. The Prime Minister criticised Labor for its opposition to proposed reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which would hand the approvals process to the states.