Coal and the state

Book · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:7009841

Fisher, C

In the early 1980's coal became Australia's most important export. Australia became the largest seaborne exporter of coal in the world. Massive new investment flowed into mining and infrastructure projects and coal became a key element in Australia's relations with other countries. Yet in 1946 the coal mining industry was in a state of chaos, unable to meet even domestic demand. This book investigates the reasons for this extraordinary turnaround. Part of the reason lies in government intervention since 1946 which helped achieve an economic, sociological and psychological restructuring of the coalfields and their communities. The book also examines the limits to State control. Although the New South Wales Joint Coal Board acquired and exercised great control, the miners retained effective workplace control, successfully resisted complete proletarianization and were able to use the devices of direct action and bargaining to circumvent and challenge arbitral control. The development of the export trade and the rise of Queensland's coal industry also limited what the State could do.

• OSTI ID: 7009841
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
294001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
COAL INDUSTRY
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMICS
ENERGY POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INVESTMENT
LABOR RELATIONS
PSYCHOLOGY
REVIEWS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS