FAILING TO PREPARE IS PREPARING TO FAIL: HOW INDUSTRIAL POLICY CAN PREPARE REGIONAL QUEENSLAND FOR A GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION

The economy of Queensland, Australia is dependent on coal exports for economic growth, the buoyancy of the state budget and employment in regional areas with limited alternative economic opportunities. Queensland policy-makers need to address the risks associated with dependence on a commodity which has an uncertain future. This article considers the history of Australia’s vulnerability to global transitions, current trends associated with a global energy transition, and suggests a strategy to mitigate against the multiple risks associated with a reliance on the export of coal by Regional Queensland.