It’s hard to believe that 2025 is drawing to a close – time flies when you’re having fun, and the team at Coal Australia is passionate about supporting, backing and advocating for our coal mining sector.
At a time when energy security and affordability is in sharp focus, it’s a critical time for us to remind communities and policy makers about the importance of coal – and if you work in the sector, or in associated businesses that rely on coal, you can be so proud of what you do.
You are helping keep the lights on, both here and in many countries overseas, and our steel making coal is helping build economies through crucial infrastructure like public transport, schools, and hospitals.
And consider this – at a time when there are growing calls for increased foreign aid to developing countries, coal mining goes even further. Australian thermal coal helps power those nations with the cleanest and highest energy coal in the world, allowing those countries to develop their economies the same way we did; powered by coal.
For developing nations, their transition is towards clean and safe water, and reliable energy supplies. Australian coal plays a critical role in achieving that.
It has been a landmark year for Coal Australia – our Friends of Coal event in Brisbane in May was a great opportunity for our producer members and associate members to gather in a relaxed environment.
Many commented on how great it was to see so many people coming together in the name of coal. In August, Coal Australia again teamed up with Mining Pro for a more formal event at the Tattersall’s club in Brisbane.
It was standing room only at the Sydney Mining Club lunch earlier this year when Coal Australia Founder Nick Jorss, New Hope’s Rob Bishop, and TerraCom’s Danny McCarthy each gave addresses on their outlook for the coal sector, highlighting that coal is the new black.
And most recently, Coal Australia was a guest at the Newcastle coal dinner, expertly run and organised by our colleague Steph Black.
The message is simple – coal in Australia has an extraordinary past; a lived prosperity that has sustained generations of families across the country. But most importantly, coal in Australia has a future.
I was recently in Mackay talking to school students about the opportunities that potentially await them just an hour or two over the hill. It’s important we spread that message to the next generation that there is a future in coal, and Coal Australia will be doing more of that in 2026.
Global demand for coal last year reached a new all-time high of 8.8 billion tonnes – that is the official figure from the International Energy Agency.
This year, global demand for coal will likely have topped 9 billion tonnes – Australia continues to be uniquely placed to meet and satisfy that demand with our high energy, lower emissions coal.
But of course there are challenges – activism is ramping up against coal, and Coal Australia is there to contest that space.
Policy creep among some agencies in NSW are presenting hurdles, while the royalty regime in Queensland is costing jobs and investment.
Coal Australia is working constructively on these issues – and we are standing up for you; the men and women who can proudly tell friends at Christmas functions and BBQs that you work in the coal sector.
Coal is an incredible commodity – Australia is blessed to have it. Our national terms of trade and state budgets would look very sick without it.
I want to thank Coal Australia Chairman Rob Bishop for his support, along with our Board, our team including Nick, Steph, Steven, and Jake, and most importantly, you.
Best wishes and have a very Merry Christmas!
Stuart Bocking
CEO, Coal Australia
