Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I completely reject the premise of that question. Yes, we got rid of the mining tax because it was a job-destroying tax which was undermining our international competitiveness. Yes, we got rid of the carbon tax because it was a carbon tax that undermined our economic prosperity without doing anything for the environment. Let me just say again that coal is a very important export product for Australia. As I have said here before, we will have to agree to disagree. I believe that coal is good. I believe that coal has helped lift people around the world out of poverty. It has helped lift living standards, and long may that be the case. I was persuaded by none other than Dr Bob Brown, of course, who told us that coal-fired power was the best option. That is what Dr Bob Brown from Tasmania said. The Greens have to sort themselves out. The Greens have to decide what they believe in.