Politics :(

I heard this morning as I was getting ready for work (loving the late start Monday's), that Kater thinks the coal industry caused the floods. Uneducated comments like this really get to me. The actual facts are that the 1974 floods were caused by very similar weather events - of which Anna Bligh has admitted. Queensland has a lot of coal mining (which is also one of the biggest contributors to the QLD economy). Queensland also suffered devastating floods. That's where the similarities end.

Coal mining creates very little pollution in comparison to the burning of coal. This, which Kater does not mention, does not (for the most part) occur in QLD, or even Australia. Often the coal and iron ore are shipped overseas (to China etc), for the coking coal to be burnt in order to create steel, which is then shipped back to Australia. It seems a bit of a silly process, but I guess it's cheaper to do in other countries, even with the transportation cost taken into account. Thermal coal is pretty much the only coal that I know of that is burnt in Australia, and mainly for electricity. Thermal coal is lower quality, and doesn't possess the properties required for steelmaking (burning really hot). As we slowly move to introduce more solar systems, this may reduce the quantity of thermal coal required (depending in population growth), but this is only a small part of coal mining. The coking coal is where the money is, and the most commonly mined coal in the Bowen Basin.

Kater would do well to keep quiet unless he has something positive or researched to say. The floods have been horrible, and this is not needed after the amazing reactions of so many Queenslanders. After traveling to Brisbane on the weekend, it was incredible to see that they had too many volunteers. Strangers helping to clear out the rancid mud from other people's homes. Many coal mining companies shutdown mines to help out. They sent their workers to the clean up in Emerald, and other nearby towns. The electricians from nearby mines went in to Emerald to assess homes. The flooded houses cannot be lived in until the electricity is turned back on, which cannot occur until it has been checked by an electrician. Given that most of the town was under water, it would take weeks, maybe even months to check them without the help of the mining companies.

The company that I work for (Downer EDi Mining) has donated $100,000 to the flood appeal. In addition, they will match every employee's donation (which they have also helped to be tax free). I know of other mining companies doing similar things. I expect that companies like BMA will give more, as they have a lot more resources than the contractors, but it is great to see so many companies helping out in their communities. I hope that all the help available will let the people affected to get back on their feet as soon as possible.