Workers in Queensland's coal mining towns need to learn new skills as demand for the resource drops, the state's deputy leader says.
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In state parliament on Tuesday, Liberal National Party members asked Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her deputy Jackie Trad where they stood on coal.
Ms Trad said it was time to help thermal coal-dependent communities move away from the industry in the face of declining demand.
"The fact is, markets are moving away from thermal coal, communities are moving away from thermal coal, nation states are moving away from thermal coal," she said.
"What we need to do as a coal exporter is understand that, and equip our communities with the best possible chance of re-skilling, and that's why we're focused on other materials."
The remarks come days after Swiss-based miner Glencore announced it would freeze future production at its current level, and ongoing debate about the future of Adani's coal mine in the Galilee Basin.
Australian Associated Press
