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

The thermal coal industry provides real jobs, and coal was Australia's largest single export earner last year. Thermal coal exports brought in an estimated $26 billion in 2018-19—a new record. The taxes, royalties and income generated by Australia's coal industry enable new investment in education, roads and hospitals, providing jobs and opportunities for current and future generations of Australians. The Greens should quit demonising the coal industry, and its workers should not be forced to transition to jobs you can bet won't be in their home towns in rural and regional areas. Instead, they should be recognised for the hard work they do for our nation.