Media Release: Queensland coal communities reject Labor Government’s punitive policies on coal
This election showed that voters across Queensland want balanced energy policies, that recognise the importance of coal to the state’s economy and the prosperity of all Queenslanders.
In Queensland coal communities, the swings against the former Miles-Labor Government were significantly stronger than elsewhere.
The average swing against the Labor government in coal communities was 10.9% versus 6.6% in non-coal community electorates.
Note: please see breakdown of results in appendix.
This result proves the strength of the coal industry, its workers and the communities that support them in determining election results. Especially when their livelihoods have been so wrongly politicised.
We are proud that Queensland’s coal communities, and the rest of the state, stood up and strongly rejected these divisive political tactics. We look forward to a more consultative and constructive approach from the incoming LNP government, that recognises the important contribution our industry and coal communities make to Queensland.
The dissatisfaction among Queenslanders with the former Labor Government’s energy and mining policies was also clear in the electorate’s treatment of key former ministers.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart lost his once safe seat of Townsville, with a swing of more than 9% against him.
Coal Australia is a newly established, not-for-profit industry body, that represents coal workers, coal communities and supporters. Our organisation has more than 13,000 supporters across Australia, who have signed-up to our ‘Friends of Coal’ network.
Coal Australia has also recently conducted several community events and town halls around the country, giving those who work in the coal industry, and the communities that support coal mines, an opportunity to showcase their support for our industry’s future.
Polling conducted before the election showed that support for our industry is very strong, that support for the continued use of coal in power generation is high, and that there is majority support across Queensland, for more internationally competitive royalties.
Key insights from Coal Australia research prior to the election included:
- Voters in key coal communities like Mackay (+92%), Rockhampton (+90%), and Gladstone (+90%) all strongly agreed that “Coal Mining is important to their community”.
- Residents in metropolitan Brisbane and the Gold Coast were also overwhelmingly in agreement that “Coal mining is important to the Queensland economy”, with voters in Springwood (+71%), Capalaba (+73%) and Ipswich (+83%) all showing strong levels of support for the industry.
- On the issue of coal royalties, voters across the state said that they strongly supported incentivising coal companies to stay in Queensland with more internationally competitive coal royalty rates; Regional areas (+68%), Metro areas (+61%), Mackay (+71%), Rockhampton (+72%), Townsville (+62%), Springwood (+61%).
This election result gives a clear message to the former Labor Government, that the coal industry is here to stay, and that coal communities will vote according to their interests.
Coal communities have resoundingly rejected the Miles-Labor government’s punitive policies on mine licences and royalties, because they recognised the importance of the industry to the livelihoods and prosperity of all Queenslanders.
Coal Australia will continue to ensure that the voices of coal communities are heard. We look forward to working collaboratively with the new Liberal National Party Government to create a future that supports our industry, the coal communities we rely on, and the nation’s economic prosperity.
Nick Jorss
Chairman, Coal Australia
Download a copy of the media release here.
Media: [email protected]
Appendix: Election results in coal community electorates (31/10/24) Qld State Seat |
LNP TPP* |
Swing to LNP* |
Coal communities |
58.1% |
10.9% |
Non-coal communities |
52.1% |
6.6% |
Individual coal community electorates |
||
Mackay |
60.5% |
17.2% |
Whitsunday |
69.6% |
16.4% |
Keppel |
60.2% |
15.9% |
Gladstone |
41.0% |
14.5% |
Mundingburra |
59.5% |
13.4% |
Thuringowa |
60.1% |
13.3% |
Rockhampton |
51.7% |
10.3% |
Mirani |
50.6% |
9.6%^ |
Townsville |
56.2% |
9.3% |
Burdekin |
65.8% |
8.8% |
Callide |
73.0% |
8.2% |
Gregory |
70.3% |
3.1% |
Hinchinbrook |
36.3% |
1.1%^ |
*At 79.3% counted
^Swing for Hinchinbrook and Mirani calculated for KAP-to-LNP