The Hunter’s economic reliance transition from coal mining to new industries was discussed at a public meeting on April 19, where the Federal Greens described plans and investments required for a “prosperous post-coal future”.
The More Jobs, Zero Emissions forum was held at the Club Macquarie Place in Argenton, Lake Macquarie, on April 19.
Greens candidate for Newcastle, Charlotte McCabe, spoke alongside Greens candidate for Shortland, Kim Grierson, Greens candidate for Hunter, Janet Murray and Greens NSW Senate candidate, David Shoebridge.
Shoebridge said Australia’s coal buyers had made it clear from their own emission reduction plans that coal was on the way out.
“China is reducing its emissions to net-zero by 2050 with significant emission reduction targets by 2040 and 2030,” Shoebridge said.
“With the writing so clearly on the wall, our focus is on replacement jobs by investing in new industries in the Hunter region.”
Newcastle’s candidate, Charlotte McCabe, said conversations had shifted and community members wanted a solid transition plan with new industries established.
“We will ensure community members and First Nations representatives are included in local transition authorities along with business, government and academics,” she said.
“Their plans will be funded by a diversifying coal communities fund and will be best placed to respond to the needs and aspirations of our region.
“Workers will be guaranteed their financial security with our jobs guarantee where current rates of pay will be guaranteed for ten years in a new job with the federal government paying half and new employers paying the other half.”
Hunter candidate, Janet Murray, spoke to the forum on her experience when the BHP Steelworks closed in 1999.
“We were given two years’ notice of the closure, with BHP funding retraining for workers choosing new career pathways,” Murray said.
“Offering to retrain the day the place is closing is not correctly supporting workers who have provided years of loyal service to a large company.
“There are many alternatives to offer mineworkers, and an obvious one is mine rehabilitation.”
Murray said there was a “massive amount” of rehabilitation, including filling in, reshaping and reforming mine sites that could be done.
“Clearly, this is work that mining employees are suited for – it is more or less the reverse of what they have been doing for years,” Murray said.
“It should be work that is offered first to displaced mine workers. It also presents the opportunity to create something that will draw people to the area, such as a world-class mountain bike track.
“Under the Greens plan, coal communities will have a say in how to diversify their region to attract new jobs and industries through the HV Authority.”
Dudley resident, Helen Polemis, said she was concerned about the economic strength of the Hunter Region.
“Mining has been our backbone for decades, but it’s obviously on the way out, and we should be doing more to make sure the region stays economically strong and viable,” Polemis said.
“A rehabilitation industry is a brilliant idea and just the kind of innovative thinking needed for our future.”
Hayley McMahon