Black coal industry
Public inquiry
This public inquiry has concluded. The inquiry report was released by the Australian Government on 11 February 1999.
This inquiry was referred by the Treasurer to the Industry Commission in July 1997. With the passage of the Productivity Commission Act 1998 (and the abolition of the Industry Commission), this inquiry was completed by the Productivity Commission.
The Commission was asked to report on ways of improving the international competitiveness of the Australian black coal industry, consistent with improving the overall performance of the Australian economy. The Commission was also asked to compare the performance of the Australian black coal industry with international mines and Australian metalliferous mines, reporting on:
- productivity
- cost components from the mine to the port
- work and safety arrangements
- the applicability of micro-economic reforms implemented overseas to the Australian black coal industry.
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About the public inquiry process
Draft report
The draft report for this project is not available online.
Please note: The draft report is for research purposes only. For final outcomes of this inquiry refer to the inquiry report.Key documents
Inquiry report
The final report of the public inquiry into the competitiveness of the Australian Black Coal Industry.
Submissions
Submissions for the public inquiry, The Australian Black Coal Industry.
Public hearings
Public hearing transcripts for the public inquiry, The Australian Black Coal Industry.
Benchmarking the Productivity of Australia's Black Coal Industry
A consultancy report produced by Tasman Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, which was contracted by the Commission to undertake a benchmarking study for the public inquiry, The Australian Black Coal Industry.
Discussion notes
A discussion opener for two Commission seminars on the consultancy report, Benchmarking the Productivity of Australia’s Black Coal Industry, produced by Tasman Asia Pacific Pty Ltd.