The Victorian Government’s new Statement on Future Uses of Brown Coal, released earlier this month, is further proof that there is no such thing as bipartisanship when it comes to energy policy, and that those who strive for agreement are on a fool’s errand.

 The press release accompanying the statement said that the government had “unveiled a new policy that will drive investment, create jobs and balance environmental needs in future Victorian coal projects.”

The policy also allegedly “supports projects that create highly-skilled jobs and boost investment in areas like the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland.”

Sounds great for a state whose historic wealth was...