JUNE 21, 2018: I STOOD with my Central Queensland colleagues today to declare our support for the coal industry.We need to ensure our national energy policy encourages investment in this plentiful, reliable and affordable energy supply.We have a natural advantage; we produce some of the world's best thermal coal. It's madness not to take advantage of it. And we need a national energy policy that encourages investment in an affordable, reliable energy supply for all Australians.The other clincher is that coal delivers jobs for thousands of Central Queenslanders.Michelle Landry, whose electorate of Capricornia is home to some of the nation’s oldest and most productive coal mines, said Queensland coal was a key resource for delivering this mission."Bowen Basin coal is being shipped around the world to deliver efficient, affordable, and reliable electricity. There is no reason we shouldn’t be taking advantage of this natural advantage," Ms Landry said."We have coal, we should use it."Ken O’Dowd said Central Queenslanders understand the value of the three major coal-fired power stations located in his electorate of Flynn."Stanwell, Callide, and Gladstone power stations not only provide employment for CQ families, they provide affordable, reliable energy to the entire East Coast Network," Mr O'Dowd said."Renewables should be part of the energy mix but not at the expense of coal jobs and the coal industry that has been the back bone of Central Queensland for generations."Improvements in coal fired power technology, especially High Efficiency, Low Emissions (HELE) offer great opportunities for a modern energy network," Mr O’Dowd said.