Perrottet was so confident in this regard that his budget summarily predicted that the national economy would remain “largely free from restrictions”.

“It is assumed that the economic restrictions relaxed since the peak of the pandemic … will not be reimposed,” he said.

In the space of a few days, the so-called “Bondi Junction cluster” has swelled to more than 31 cases, the Minister of Health is in isolation and the Minister of Agriculture has tested positive for COVID-19.

Perrottet is expected to put on his mask and take a look at Westfield Shopping Center in Bondi Junction – one of Australia’s largest and busiest – to see the impact the pandemic may have on business activity at Sydney.

It is completely deserted at a time when it should start to be very busy as the school holidays approach.

In the space of a few days, the so-called “Bondi Junction cluster” has swelled to more than 31 cases, the Minister of Health is in isolation and the Minister of Agriculture has tested positive for COVID-19.

The ensuing lockdown in eastern Sydney that emanated from Bondi Junction belies Perrottet’s exaggerated trust and once again focuses the mind on the need for industries such as coal mining that can pay the government consistent royalties during or outside a pandemic.

Despite everything the doomsayers say about thermal coal, it continues to pay the NSW government generously and, along with metallurgical coal, remains NSW’s largest export.

Rising thermal coal prices have prompted the NSW government to increase its budget estimate for funds from mining royalties from $ 50 million to $ 1.6 billion in 2021-22.

Mining royalties are expected to raise nearly $ 6.4 billion over the next four years, providing significant ongoing funding for the NSW Generations Fund.

Royalties represent a significant portion of the fund’s revenue, which is expected to reach $ 90 billion by 2031 and has generated an 8.6% return on investment since its inception in late 2018.

Despite this overwhelming contribution to New South Wales’ bottom line, Perrottet and his coal-haters in government believe the stamp duty on overpriced real estate in Sydney and increased economic activity will wear it down. State in the indefinite future.

This is very short-sighted and will put NSW in difficulty if it is to continue funding its ambitious infrastructure program, which includes the city’s light rail project which is over $ 2 billion over budget.

Hogsback believes that unless treasurers like Perrottet can see the value of coal in these uncertain times, we are headed for economic disaster.