The Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis has reported that global demand for Australian Thermal coal has a painful future. Prices have fallen 70 per cent since 2009. Around 30,000 mining jobs are threatened as the industry enters this decline.
Many coal workers are going to be left jobless as bankruptcy for coal companies is coming to a near and overseas owners leaving Australia. This problem needs to be addressed now, before thousands of Aussies are left without income.
Rehabilitation money from mining companies needs to be secured now so workers can be transitioned. Workers should be able to be retrained to be qualified for future industries
The Australian government should invest into cleaning up the toxic scars of our mines. Not only will this benefit our environment but thousands of jobs will be created for coal workers. This problem cannot be left any longer and a transition plan needs to be implemented now.
