While the coal sector does not control commodity prices, it has been punching above its weight when it comes to production outputs, he said.

“Queensland exported 19.5 million tonnes of coal in May, up from 17.9 million tonnes this time last year. For the 11 months of this financial year, our exports sit at 202 million tonnes, compared to 199 million tonnes at the same time last year,” he said.

“This achievement comes despite the sector has had around 23,000 job losses since November 2013, and we reported in February that one-third of all Queensland coal mines were operating at a loss.”

The state has just seen a once-in-a-generation investment phase that has delivered its economy much greater production capacity in existing resource industries and established brand new export industries like LNG, he said.

“I can’t think of another industry that has achieved such outstanding results considering the current operating conditions,” he said.

“The government earns zero royalties when a mine closes, therefore the government should be doing all it can to support existing operations through relief from government-imposed taxes and charges, shining a light on ludicrously high local government rates and genuine land court reform.”