Coal ban would crush Australian economy: minister

Calling a halt to coal exports would push Australia’s economy backwards, federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane has said.

Mr Macfarlane joined John Howard today in defending the nation’s black coal industry against what the Prime Minister has called “knee-jerk reactions” to climate change.

Mr Howard slammed the Australian Greens over a proposal by its leader Bob Brown to phase out the coal industry, saying the policy would destroy jobs and regional communities.
News.com.au