Tag Archives: coal

Qld Economic Outlook for 2022

Prior to the omicron outbreak, I was very confident about the Queensland economic outlook for 2022. I’m still reasonably confident that the state economy will perform well over 2022, but nothing is certain of course. There’s been a bit of … Continue reading

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Coal the dirty secret behind Qld budget improvement

The super high coal price is the main reason Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick will report a much improved state budget balance this week. However, yesterday the Brisbane Times reported: Mr Dick said the silver lining of the pandemic was an … Continue reading

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Super high coal prices will boost royalties and slow the increase in Qld state debt

Back in early August I observed that higher coal prices were helping the Qld economy and state budget in this time of rolling lockdowns. Amazingly, the all important metallurgical or coking coal price has surged even higher since then. There … Continue reading

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Coal comeback good news for Qld economy

Last week saw a surge in coal prices due to global demand and supply factors (some of which are likely only temporary), as discussed in a nice piece by Bloomberg journalists reprinted by the Brisbane Times It’s not over for … Continue reading

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Does nuclear energy have a future in Australia?

In my Economics Explored episode on decarbonisation, I quoted Bill Gates from his latest book regarding the one-sentence case for nuclear energy: …it’s the only carbon-free energy source that can reliably deliver power day and night, through every season, almost … Continue reading

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Decarbonising the Economy – my latest podcast episode

The latest episode of my Economics Explored podcast is on the topic of decarbonising the economy. My monologue is based on a talk I gave last Tuesday to the First Tuesday Club forum hosted by the Brisbane Dialogues group at … Continue reading

Posted in Energy, Environment, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Qld exports were $21bn lower in 2020 due largely to lower coal and LNG prices

At the launch of the Queensland Premier’s Export Awards in May 2019 at the Tower of Power, 1 William St, I spoke about how Queensland’s exports had soared to record levels over the previous few years, largely as a result … Continue reading

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Pick up in thermal coal prices over last month

Unlike in WA where iron ore is the major commodity, in Queensland it’s coal that’s the big deal, and we should be thankful the Chinese ban on Aussie thermal coal doesn’t appear to have been that effective, as evidenced by … Continue reading

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Where Queensland’s coal exports go

In my post last Tuesday, PM puts China’s Aussie thermal coal ban in perspective, I noted how China’s Aussie coal ban would be much more concerning if it also applied to coking coal, which is more valuable per tonne and … Continue reading

Posted in China, Mining | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

PM puts China’s Aussie thermal coal ban in perspective, but $100M+ annual loss to Qld state budget possible

Prime Minister Scott Morrison did a good job yesterday at putting China’s reported ban on Australian thermal coal into perspective, pointing out Japan is our largest customer for thermal coal, and it takes twice the amount of thermal coal as … Continue reading

Posted in China, Mining | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments