Martin Ferguson (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Resources and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

That is 23,300 mining jobs over the last 12 months, compared to 2.1 per cent for the whole economy—12.8 per cent, because of our success in attracting additional investment in Australia, be it in petroleum, iron ore, coalmining or whatever. I acknowledge that, in terms of the future of the coalmining industry, which goes to the heart of the question posed by the member for Groom, exploration expenditure for coal is estimated to increase by 12 per cent, to around $360 million in 2010-11.

Mr Ian Macfarlane interjecting—

You should ask that question of me in question time. I would like to put it all on the record. In the six months to April 2011—I am waiting for the question on this in question time—we have seen three major coal projects completed, with a combined total capital expenditure of $1.5 billion. Jobs, jobs, jobs—that's what I like! And I know that is what the member for Groom likes. There is a range of other potential investments in this very important sector of the Australian economy, though its production has been seriously hindered over the last six months because of the serious floods and the cyclone in Queensland. But it will fast recover from those events.

But, being very serious, the member for Groom and I know that the coalmining sector has got some gaseous mines. He was the one, in November 2009, because he was one of the principal architects of the CPRS, who basically said—when we offered an assistance package to the tune of $1.3 billion, in terms of the future of the coalmining industry and its capacity to remain in existence—as to the result of that package, which I am seeking to adhere to very strictly in terms of the current negotiations, that that was the best thing since sliced bread for the future of the coalmining industry in Australia. I might also say that he made some very glowing statements along similar lines as to the future of the electricity industry in Australia.

When it comes to the potential loss of coalmining jobs in Australia, I remind the member for Groom that direct action is about very much reducing coalmining employment in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria. His direct action plan is directly focused on reducing employment opportunities in coalmining in Australia. He should not forget that. It is a plan specifically targeted at taking away coalmining jobs in Victoria, in an area that needs assistance in terms of the transition that has to occur.

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