Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Coalmining is very important to me and Flynn. We have eight coal-fired power stations that have a life of another 10, 15 or 18 years if we come on board and support our coal-fired power stations. It is by far the cheapest form of energy in Australia.

We haven't got a problem in Queensland. The only problem we've got in Queensland is with the state government. There are too many middlemen in the middle, producing cheap electricity for Queensland industry. The Queensland government has got to be held to account for this. It's no good blaming the coal-fired power stations for the demise of the electricity industry. This is a disgrace. We cannot close another power station down in Queensland—in fact, we cannot close another power station down in Australia—until we get the energy circle and the energy mix correct. Nuclear is the next step in this line. So let's go.

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