The community can take some comfort from the Prime Minister not ruling out the need for a substantial inquiry into Australian coal exporters using fake quality tests when I put the question to him in Question Time. This followed my revelation in Parliament last week of widespread fraud and other criminality in the Australian export coal industry.
I was also pleased to be assured by the Prime Minister personally that I will be kept appraised of developments from here. I will certainly be on alert to ensure that the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ initial review, in concert with regulators, is thorough and leads to the more substantial promised inquiry if warranted.
The Prime Minister was correct to express concern at the significance of the allegations and of the importance of any fraud being stamped out. Those responsible for any criminality must be held to account.