Canavan challenges Labor to support increased coal exports to India

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan has challenged the federal Labor party to support expanding Australian coal exports to India.

“The fact is, Labor have abandoned the coal industry and coal workers and talk down coal at every opportunity to defend inner-city Labor seats from the Greens,” Minister Canavan said.

 

“Labor’s refusal to support Australian coal miners is already causing uncertainty in overseas markets and would certainly cost Australia billions of dollars and thousands of jobs if ever Labor came to power federally.”

 

Minister Canavan was responding to a Labor statement about future trade with India.

 

“In a three-page media release, there’s not a single mention of coal or other mining products, yet these are by far the most valuable areas for current and future trade with India. Sadly, they’re ‘no go’ areas for Labor.”

 

Minister Canavan said Australia is already India’s major supplier of coking coal, used in steel-making.

 

“In just the two years between 2015 and 2017, Australia’s exports of goods and services to India have increased by almost 50 per cent – from $13.9 to $20.2 billion – most of that thanks to a big jump in the value of our coal exports – from $5.2 to $9.2 billion.

 

“Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coking, or metallurgical, coal and by the year 2020 India is predicted to replace China as the world’s largest importer. It is a natural fit.

 

“At the same time, India’s energy demand will increase significantly and Australia can supply commodities like thermal coal and natural gas.

 

“Australia’s thermal coal has higher energy and less ash than coal from Indonesia and South Africa, the countries that supply the most to India now.

 

“When Labor talks about trade with India, they should be talking about coal at the top of the list. But of course that will never happen and Australian coal workers know it.”