The federal resources minister has launched a special group to bolster the case for coal in Australia.
The Resources 2030 Taskforce will ensure the competitiveness and longevity of Australia's resources sector in the face of criticism from those concerned about the impact of continued exploitation of fossil fuels, Matt Canavan says.
It will give the country an opportunity to "take a breath and review carefully and calmly, the settings we need to keep Australian mining strong," the minister told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
"The mining boom is not over," he said.
"Mining is as important as it has ever been and its importance to the Australian economy is only likely to increase."
A stronger mining sector would lead to more jobs and opportunities for Australian businesses, he said.
The task force will focus on policies to attract investment, contribute to regional economies, build community support and cut red tape.
It will be led by former Queensland natural resources minister Andrew Cripps and will report by August in the lead up to Senator Canavan making a 'resources statement' in the latter half of 2018.
The Minerals Council of Australia says it will work with the task force to forge a coherent policy.
"The Australian mining industry is a world leader," interim chief executive David Byers said.
"Yet if we take this position for granted, productivity and competitiveness will suffer, resulting in fewer jobs and lower living standards in Australia."
Labor leader Bill Shorten said the government's priorities should be elsewhere.
"We'll have a look at what Mr Canavan has to say but I wish they'd just start talking about everyday Aussies in terms of cost of living," he said.
The announcement also immediately drew the ire of the Greens.
"Minister Canavan and the federal government should save their money and recognise what is already well-established: there is no role for coal," Greens senator Andrew Bartlett said.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said it was hardly surprising the announcement ignored climate change.
"Given the taskforce mainly consists of mining executives, it appears the Turnbull government is using public funds on a public relations campaign for big polluting companies," she said.
