During Question Time on Tuesday 15 September 2026, I asked the Premier whether his pro-coal stance is influenced by his meetings and donations from coal billionaire Clive Palmer.
You can read my full question and the Premier's response below, or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings (Hansard).
Mr BERKMAN: My question is to the Premier.
Billionaire Clive Palmer, who recently rebranded his coal company, has donated thousands of dollars to Labor and the LNP and had three separate meetings with the Premier.
Is the Premier’s pro-coal stance influenced by his close relationship with Clive Palmer?
Mr CRISAFULLI: I thank the honourable member for the question. The honourable member asked a question about someone who is indeed a member of a different political party to mine, as is the honourable member. I will say one thing to the honourable member: people who are members of different political parties can have different political views. He and I do have different political views on coal. I am very pro the mineral. I believe it is vital for this state and for this nation, and I want to see more of it. I will explain why I want to see more of it.
Firstly, coal plays a massive role in steelmaking. We should be very proud of the role that we play in metallurgical coal and we are unashamedly open for business. Let me address thermal coal. Queensland has the best thermal coal in the globe. It is mined to the highest environmental standards. Workers are paid the best and they are the safest. Why on earth would we prevent supplying a market that exists from this state wherever that market exists? The only thing we could do by stopping the coal industry in Queensland is make a political point at the altar of environmental stupidity, and we are not prepared to do that. There are hardworking people in this state who have a job because of the coal industry. This government is pro coal. We are very proud of that.
This government is also pro critical minerals, and we will continue to drive that. This government is also pro agriculture, and we are building more water security because of it and giving farmers the right to run their land. This government is pro tourism, and that is why we are prepared to go in and use our environmental opportunities in a sensible and a dignified way and create jobs for the next generation. This government is pro environmental research and pro medical. This government is pro new wave opportunities for things like data centres where there are opportunities to do it in a safe way and bring on additional power. This government is pro defence, and I know that is also contrary to the member.
I understand that the member and I have different views and different values. I respect his right to have his. He puts them forward in a respectful and a forceful way, but we have very different views. I say to the honourable member: I will always stand up for opportunities. For anyone who wants to invest in Queensland, I will always stand up for that right. We have strong environmental standards and we should not waver on that. We should set them and be proud of them.
The days of a government, which those opposite presided over, finding new ways, because of ideology, to stop opportunities for things like mining, tourism and agriculture are over. This government will always stand up and provide opportunities for anyone to invest in Queensland, even if they are our political opponents.