John Howard, Labor Opposition Stand United In Slamming Plan To End Coal Exports - RNZ

So, when push finally comes to shove . . .

Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd have slammed Greens leader Bob Brown's proposal to end all coal exports in three years. Mr Howard said this would cost thousands of jobs, while Mr Rudd said it was just plain absurd.

But Mr Brown said jobless coal workers could easily find work in a rejuvenated solar power industry, which the government had starved of funds for years.

Coal exports are Australia's biggest export earner and the industry employees 26,000 workers.

Mr Howard said the idea would cost thousands of jobs and do immense damage to Australia's export potential. Mr Rudd said Australia needed a responsible, long-term strategy on climate change that protected the environment and jobs while creating new jobs for the future.

EDIT

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200702101756/end_to_coal_exports_proposal_slammed_by_howard,_labor