The Adani coal mine has created more posturing than you'd see in a busy ballet class - but none of it's as crippling to the hopes of a struggling north Queensland economy as the Labor Left's effective veto on development.

Don't be mistaken about its impact: the prospect of thousands of jobs hangs on whether the Left accepts a royalties deal that can guarantee a start on the biggest job generator outside of Brisbane.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, right, and her deputy Jackie Trad. Credit:Robert Shakespeare

While their posturing is making the music stop, the Left is not alone in its stance.

Adani, itself, is trying it on in the way big miners do by delaying its investment decision until the deal can be reached. At the same time, it is talking up the need for the coal to fuel the power needs of India where more damage is done to environment by burning dirty fuel than is likely to be done by the comparatively clean Queensland coals.