House debates

Thursday, 21 February 2019

Statements by Members

Coal Industry

1:31 pm

Photo of Craig KellyCraig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Last year, bolstered by rising prices and increased demand from Asia, coal was our nation's No. 1 export earner, accounting for $66 billion in export revenue. Yet, in the delusional fantasy world of members of the opposition, they think coal exports are collapsing. But the real concern is that Labor members think that a collapse of our nation's largest export earner would be 'a wonderful thing', 'a good thing'. If our nation's largest export earner collapses, where will the money come from to pay for listing new life-saving drugs on the PBS? Where will the money come from to assist with our disaster relief programs? Where will the money come from to help kids with disabilities and our nation's defence forces, public schools and hospitals? And where will the money come from to pay for the unemployment benefits of the 336,000 Australians who will be out of work because of Labor's reckless and insane economy-wrecking 45 per cent Paris target? I am an optimist at heart, but for the first time in my life I fear for the future of my country under the policies of this Labor opposition.