What do you do when nobody wants your coal? Hire some consultants to find something to do with it, of course.
The government is seeking market research on “low emissions uses of coal” as part of a $20 million scheme announced by Energy Minister Angus Taylor and Resources Minister Keith Pitt to “diversify” Australia’s resources export market.
It raises the question: are there any uses for coal other than burning it? Pitt and Taylor seem determined to pay consultants to find out.
In tender documents published this week, the government says coal will continue to play an “important role in the world’s energy mix for years to come”.
“However, changes to the global energy mix are projected, and opportunities also exist to invest in research, development and commercialisation of alternative uses for high-emissions resources, including coal.”
While the rest of the OECD is finding ways to move away from coal, Australia is doubling down on its support for the industry. Taylor says he is confident he has won the backing of state and territory counterparts for a series of reforms that could keep coal and gas plants alive, despite concerns this would funnel billions of dollars into ageing and unreliable coal generators.
Now he’s on the hunt for new markets for Australia’s plentiful coal reserves.
Some politicians are already finding alternative “low emissions” uses for coal. Matt Canavan has been known to rub it on his face for photos. Scott Morrison famously demonstrated the ornamental value of coal when he carried a lump into Parliament to prove a long forgotten point about the industry. And the coal industry itself has plenty of ideas, none of which have gotten off the ground.
Of course there is one obvious use of coal that the government is yet to consider: leaving it in the ground.
This Govt is nothing but a criminal cartel. How do we educate people enough so they understand and vote them out?
However, changes to the global energy mix are projected, and opportunities also exist to unscrupulously divert public funds to research, development and commercialisation of alternative uses for high-emissions resources, including coal. As fruitless “research, development and commercialisation” has been going for several years without demonstrated success Smirk is likely to go with his latest brainsnap – build a coal paved and gas lit highway to heaven.
Rather a gateway to Hell
Perhaps they could make a soft drink… How about Coking Coala
Crikey, GL!
You may have come up with an explanation of Australia’s woes. At least for the LNP Govt.’s actions.
They are snorting the wrong sort of coke. The black stuff not the white stuff.
We need a large, very large granite slab. Located at a very public location of maximum pedestrian access, egress.
Upon the slab engraved, names of every politician, public figures who have promoted and benefited from mining and sale of coal since our world understood meaning of carbon emission and that it was destroying our children, grand children(s) futures.
And authorise ‘Greens’ Party to maintain said obelisk as a shrine of national shame. A reminder to Greens to never allow political aspiration blind them to realities, responsibilities to people, not Party?
This object would be seen as defacing a public area – police would swoop! Jail, fines follow. But love the idea.
How do we get these crooks into jail?
Join the FIN party (Federal ICAC Now) as a member. Parliament just approved new legislation to triple the required membership size of small parties to prevent parties like this holding it to account.