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NSW should place a cap on the amount of thermal coal it can mine and plan an orderly exit of the industry within a decade to do its bit to avoid catastrophic climate change, NSW Greens say.
The party plans to introduce a bill to parliament limiting mining of the coal used in power stations to 1 billion tonnes – or half the projected output for the coming decade – with companies allowed to bid for mining rights.
Mimicking the controversial choice made by Treasurer Scott Morrison to bring coal into the parliament, Greens leader Richard Di Natale brought coal that had undergone bleaching from the Great Barrier Reef.
Convicted killer Glen McNamara gives evidence during a court hearing for millionaire property developer Ron Medich over the killing of businessman Michael McGurk.
A crime scene has been established at a unit in Sydney's Hillsdale suburb, after a woman and child were found dead inside the home. Vision: Nine News Sydney
Parents are putting off having children to get into the housing market according to Scott Morrison who has also offered an insight into his plans for negative gearing in the budget.
Mimicking the controversial choice made by Treasurer Scott Morrison to bring coal into the parliament, Greens leader Richard Di Natale brought coal that had undergone bleaching from the Great Barrier Reef.
"If we do not begin a rapid phase-out of coal, then our planet will suffer runaway climate change with catastrophic consequences," said Jeremy Buckingham, the Greens mining spokesman. "Burning coal is simply incompatible with protecting the climate."
Mr Buckingham said the auction process could generate $7 billion over the decade that makes up for the royalty losses to the Treasury and helps smooth an "inevitable" end to coal. Coking coal used for steel-making would not be affected by the scheme.
The plan will be launched on Friday with federal Greens leader Richard di Natale, and comes as the Turnbull government has raised the prospect of subsidising new lower-emissions coal-fired power plants to ease the country's energy security woes. NSW gets about 80 per cent of its electricity from coal.
Cutting it out?: Greens want thermal coal's days numbered in NSW. Photo: Brendan Esposito
Don Harwin, NSW energy minister, said the Greens' plan "would threaten our energy security and our communities".
"There's a sensible way to address climate change whilst creating new jobs, and that's our approach," he said.
The Greens point to the commitment of the NSW government under former Premier Mike Baird for the state to meet net-zero emissions by 2050, and the national goal of cutting carbon emissions by at least 26 per cent on 2005-levels by 2030.
"We are confident a ten-year phase-out of coal will resonate with the majority of voters who are desperate for politician to act meaningfully on climate change," Mr Buckingham said.
Fairfax Media sought comment from Labor.
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