Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

The coal industry is providing real jobs in communities across rural and regional areas of Queensland and New South Wales. Coal was one of Australia's largest total export earners in 2018, valued at $67 billion. The coal industry employed more than 53,000 Australians in 2017-18, and pays more than $5 billion annually in royalties. Coal is enabling new investment in roads, hospitals and schools, providing jobs and opportunities for current and future generations. We don't believe coalminers need retraining. Instead they should be rewarded and recognised for the hard work they do for our nation.