Beattie to lift coal royalties

May 09, 2007
From Courier Mail (QLD, AUST)

QUEENSLAND'S coal industry will be hit with increased royalties in next month's state budget to help curb climate change.
Premier Peter Beattie said today he was planning to increase coal royalties to force the industry into paying for clean coal technology research.

Speaking in New York, Mr Beattie said the increase would be for their own good because if the industry did not clean up coal it would not survive.

He said research was vital to cut greenhouse gas emissions, save the planet and ensure the long-term future of Queensland's powerhouse coal industry.

He angrily accused the state's coal companies of reneging on an agreement to provide $300 million for research into clean coal technologies.

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