NSW Minerals Council General Manager Policy and Strategy Sue-Ern Tan told a forum of regional business leaders that coal mining communities would be expected to pay more than their fair share through a new tax on coal mining.

“The coal industry doesn’t want a free ride under the ETS, just the same treatment as other industries,” Ms Tan said.

“It’s going to be taxed an extra $10 billion over 10 years mostly for methane emissions from mining that can’t be measured accurately or significantly reduced.

“If the coal industry was being treated the same as other emissions-intensive, trade exposed industries, the additional tax imposition would be around $4 billion.

“In other words the coal industry and the communities relying on it for long-term job security are being railroaded into paying more than twice as much as anyone else.

“Why should places like Lithgow or Mudgee have to do all the heavy lifting so people in big cities can feel better about themselves?

“The mining industry is critical to a diverse, successful local economy.

“The bottom line is that this ETS, as it is currently designed, will close coal mines, cost jobs in coal mining and support industries without doing anything to reduce global emissions.”

Ms Tan also welcomed the business community’s support for the Australian Coal Association’s campaign to get the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme right for the Central West.