{"id":374781,"date":"2026-08-04T16:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T06:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=374781"},"modified":"2026-08-04T16:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T06:02:18","slug":"nats-vow-again-to-scrap-net-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2026\/08\/04\/nats-vow-again-to-scrap-net-zero\/","title":{"rendered":"Nats Vow Again To Scrap Net Zero"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nationals Leader Senator Matt Canavan at the New Acland Coal Mine last week (Photo: Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 4, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nationals Leader Senator Matt Canavan has again emphasised the Coalition would scrap net zero and “drill baby drill” following a visit to the New Acland Coal mine last week.<\/p>\n

Senator Canavan said it was obvious Australian families and businesses needed to rely on coal.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround 70 per cent of our electricity needs in Queensland come from coal-fired power stations across the eastern Australian States, because renewables simply can\u2019t provide the energy our State needs,\u201d Senator Canavan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need coal to keep the lights on, and to keep energy prices down. It\u2019s great to see New Acland Coal mine thriving, with its expansion now employing 350 workers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA future Coalition government will put an end to the business-destroying carbon tax and we will use all of our energy resources, not just Labor\u2019s ideologically approved ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why the Coalition will axe Labor\u2019s carbon taxes, scrap net zero, extend fuel security support, lift fuel stocks to 60 days, unlock more Australian oil and gas, and fast-track nationally significant projects including the Taroom Trough.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Acland Coal general manager Dave O\u2019Dwyer said the mine was proud to be a leading employer in the region.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe firmly believe thermal coal, produced in Australia, will continue to provide reliable energy supply within Australia and globally for a long time to come,\u201d Mr O\u2019Dwyer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Acland Coal has a long and proud history of supporting and financially backing the local community via strong investment in the towns surrounding New Acland Coal mine and local region.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past two years, New Acland Coal has spent $113.4 million with 599 local suppliers, donated millions to local community groups, charities, and schools and provided in-kind support to countless community activities and events.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Stage 3 expansion of the New Acland mine had a rocky journey before full-scale mining resumed in 2023 after a short pause.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The LNP initially rejected the expansion ahead of the 2012 Queensland Election before doing an about-face after gaining power.<\/p>\n

However, the mining company then had to overcome numerous legal objections in court battles which stretched for more than a decade.<\/p>\n

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Mining activities at the New Acland Coal Mine last week (Photo: Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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