The coal was shiny with lacquer to prevent it tarnishing the hands of the Coalition’s front bench and this tacky prop is rumoured to have been supplied by the Minerals Council of Australia.
That organisation spent $22 million on advertising during May and June in 2010 to remove Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after he announced a Minerals Resource Rent Tax.
Likewise they responded angrily when Prime Minister Julia Gillard told the Minerals Council "you don't own the minerals" at their annual dinner in 2012.
Her observation seems fair and our Commonwealth should be proactive in ensuring this wealth is enjoyed by all Australians.
After Malcolm Turnbull lost the leadership, his son Alex said in an interview that a "very small number of people" who "own a lot of coal in the Galilee Basin" have "undue influence" in the Coalition Government.
Former Coalition minister and now Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane welcomed the sudden elevation of Morrison to the role of Prime Minister, saying he “understands the importance of our most valuable industries – like resources.”
Dr John Kunkel, a former deputy chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia, has been appointed Chief of Staff by the Prime Minister.
There is clearly an unhealthy link between the Coalition government and the mining industry.
While Scott Morrison has been keen to present coal as shiny and clean, the impact of organisations like the Minerals Council in tarnishing the Government and undermining Australian democracy is clear.
