An economic study finds that the new coal mines that the previous Australian government tried so hard to authorize are unlikely to be profitable.

Their owners are hoping that they can push the government into subsidizing the mines. I have a hunch that some of that money would find its way to right-wing politicians or their campaigns. The argument the mine owners use is that they are too important to be allowed to fail.

It's just the opposite: they are too dangerous to be allowed to succeed.