Why the 'drug dealers defence' doesn't work for exporting coal. It's actually Economics 101
- Written by John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland
In defending a Federal Court case brought by opponents of her decisions to approve two export coal mines, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is relying in part on what critics call the “drug dealer’s defence”.
It’s reasoning that argues: if we don’t sell this product, someone else will.
Prime Minister Albanese has...
