I'd say it's mostly about vested interests. Mining is a huge industry in Australia. Big business have politicians in their pocket. To some extent it's also abo

I'd say it's mostly about vested interests. Mining is a huge industry in Australia. Big business have politicians in their pocket. To some extent it's also about jobs. Where I grew up, in the Hunter Valley, coal mining is a major employer. The export boom in commodities fueled the economy and lifestyle of tens of thousands. Shut down that industry a lot of people are going to hurt financially. Politicians just won't do it. It's a case of short term electoral thinking at the expense of the environmental future.