So confident was Perrottet of this that his budget summarily predicts the domestic economy remaining "largely free of restrictions".

"It is assumed that economic restrictions eased since the peak of pandemic … will not be reimposed," it states.

In the space of a few days the so-called "Bondi Junction cluster" has ballooned to more than 31 cases, the health minister is in isolation, and the agriculture minister has tested positive for COVID-19.

Perrottet should put his mask on and take a peek at the Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction - one of Australia's largest and busiest - to see the impact that the pandemic can have on commercial activity in Sydney.

It is completely deserted at a time when it should start getting really busy as school holidays approach. 

In the space of a few days the so-called "Bondi Junction cluster" has ballooned to more than 31 cases, the health minister is in isolation, and the agriculture minister has tested positive for COVID-19.

The ensuing eastern Sydney lockdown that has emanated out of Bondi Junction puts a lie to Perrottet's overblown confidence and once again focuses the mind on the need for industries such as coal mining that can pay the government consistent royalties in or out of a pandemic. 

Despite all the doomsayers say about thermal coal, it continues to pay the NSW government handsomely and, along with metallurgical coal, remains NSW's biggest export.

Higher thermal coal prices have resulted in the NSW government increasing its budget forecast for money raised from mining royalties by $50 million to $1.6 billion in 2021-22.

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

Royalties represent a significant proportion of revenue for the fund, which is expected to grow to $90 billion by 2031 and has delivered investment returns of 8.6% since its inception in late 2018.

Despite this overwhelming contribution to the NSW bottom line, Perrottet and his fellow coal haters in the government think that stamp duty for overpriced Sydney real estate and increased economic activity will carry the state for the indefinite future.

This is very short-sighted and will land NSW in trouble if it wants to continue funding its ambitious infrastructure program, which includes the city light rail project that went $2 billion over budget.

Hogsback reckons that unless treasurers like Perrottet can see the value of coal during these uncertain times we are heading down the road of economic doom.