Increase in Queensland Royalties, page-32

With a guarantee given from the Qld state labour government that there would be no new taxes, or tax increases for wage and salary earners, new money had to come from somewhere, in order for some of the promised funding $$'s not to be borrowed. At recent high $$ rates/tonne, coal was the lowest hanging fruit, and with most folk on the renewable bandwagon, our illustrious premier has probably guaranteed another term for herself and her cronies. Hope does come from the realistic view of our newly minted federal energy minister, opining that "dirty coal and gas" will be crucial in the transition to the saviour which is renewable energy, given we are so far behind the curve in the construction of same. This may see a short term hit to the price of coal miners, though for mine, with big money not backing new investment in coal projects, at least in Australia, prices should drift higher over the medium to longer term.