LABOR'S GREEN TAPE THREATENS COAL JOBS AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox has warned that this week's High Court decision on the Mount Pleasant coal mine is another serious blow to investment certainty, Australian coal exports and the regional communities that depend on the resources industry.

Mr Willcox said the ruling should serve as a wake-up call to the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments about the consequences of allowing Australia's project approval processes to become increasingly complicated and vulnerable to legal challenges.

"This week's High Court decision on the Mount Pleasant coal mine should send alarm bells ringing right across regional Australia, particularly in communities like Mackay and the Bowen Basin, where thousands of jobs and businesses depend on a strong resources sector," Mr Willcox said.

"The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments must act immediately to fix the law,” he said.

"This week's decision has left us in a situation where the approval of an Australian coal mine can be overturned because planning authorities did not adequately consider emissions generated when that coal is burned in another country.

"This is absurd. Under international emissions accounting rules, emissions are counted where coal is used, not where it is mined.

"Holding Hunter miners responsible for power stations in Japan, Korea and India is a recipe for endless legal challenges. This will reduce Australian jobs, not global emissions."

Mr Willcox said he has raised this directly with leader of the Nationals, Senator Matt Canavan.

"I've asked that we urgently examine what legislative action can be brought before Federal Parliament when it returns next week. We cannot sit back and allow this kind of uncertainty to threaten Australian jobs, investment and our international reputation as a reliable resources exporter.

"I've asked that he work with Opposition Leader Angus Taylor to explore an urgent parliamentary response.

“The Coalition must be united in pushing for practical legislative solutions that protect our resources sector from further unnecessary delays and legal challenges.

“If Labor refuses to act, it should have to explain to the thousands of Australian workers, contractors and small businesses who depend on mining why it is prepared to leave their livelihoods facing further uncertainty."

Mr Willcox said the decision should alarm communities across Queensland, particularly Mackay and the Bowen Basin, where thousands of livelihoods depend directly and indirectly on the coal industry.

"In Dawson, we know exactly what is at stake.

"Mackay is home to one of Australia's most significant mining services hubs. Our engineering businesses, manufacturers, transport operators, equipment suppliers and contractors all rely on a strong and competitive resources sector.

"When a mine loses investment or a project is delayed, the consequences don't stop at the mine gate. They flow straight through our workshops, small businesses and family households.

"These are the businesses and workers who keep regional Queensland running.”

Mr Willcox said the decision reinforced concerns he had repeatedly raised about the direction of Labor's energy and environmental policies.

"I voted against Labor's Safeguard Mechanism legislation because I could see the additional pressure it would place on Australian industry.

"I've continued to warn that Labor's approach to emissions reduction is making it harder and more expensive to do business in Australia, particularly for energy-intensive industries and the regional communities that support them.

"And when the Albanese Government pushed through its environmental law changes last year in a deal with the Greens, the Coalition warned that more regulation, duplicative climate reporting and greater opportunities for legal challenges would undermine investment confidence.

"Australia cannot build a stronger economy by continually placing new obstacles in front of the industries that generate our export income, support regional employment and contribute billions in taxes and royalties."

Mr Willcox also questioned the practical environmental outcome of restricting Australian coal production while international demand remains.

"If Australian high-quality coal is not exported, our trading partners will not stop using coal.

"They will simply buy it from competing producers, including countries with lower environmental and production standards.

"That risks shifting jobs and investment overseas without delivering the emissions reductions Labor claims it is pursuing.

"Our resources sector has helped fund the schools, hospitals, roads and services Australians rely on. We should not be treating it as an industry to be regulated out of existence."

ENDS

Contact: Amanda Wright | Media & Communications Adviser
P | 07 4944 0662   M | 0455 456 705   E | Amanda.Wright@aph.gov.au