The Coalition let the Hunter down and they'll do it again

Editorial by Leigh Shears, Hunter Workers Secretary

This week Peter Dutton dropped in for quick press conference before jetting off again. If you watched Sky after dark you’d be forgiven to think the Opposition Leader was here to talk to Hunter workers and his plans for our future.

There's lots to talk to about, and a lot going on. Secure jobs, rising wages. Our rights at work. Investment in new industry and manufacturing. Our new TAFE Manufacturing Centre of excellence, even.

But no, the press conference wasn’t for the people of our region. It was a tick and flick, fly in fly out stage show.

“We need to build new industries so that our mining communities can continue to prosper,” Dutton stated.

After ten years of culture wars, personality politics, and division, Dutton shamelessly takes the piss.

Today Unions, industry leaders and community groups are focused on the future, implementing tangible solutions to address the immediate challenges and future security of our people with the ear of a government that gets it. The world’s economies has been shifting toward renewable energy for two decades with growing pace in more recent years as manufacturing technologies advance.

Our region and many like ours were left behind. Uncertainty demands visionary leadership and genuine investment in diversification.

Now, the Liberal-National Coalition presents us with the same empty promises; new fairy tales, but the same old tired promises.

In stark contrast, we elected a new Government to deliver real support, fostering new industries, securing the Hunter’s future.

We are done being the Coalition's political prop for their benefactors and billionaires. Now Dutton turns up, pays lip service to our mining communities offering no meaningful plan for economic diversification.

Leaving regions like the Hunter vulnerable to global shifts, the LNP undermined investment in renewables manufacturing while refusing to establish transition authorities to support workers, communities and industry transition.

They talked a big game but left the Hunter with nothing. From 2012-2017 twelve coal fired power stations closed, and what did the former Government do. Not a damn thing. Their inaction wasn’t just incompetence and neglect. The former Government flat out lied to our communities. It was a betrayal of our workers who deserved a government fighting for their future.

We elected a Government that recognises the Hunter’s future depends on proactive investment in new industries. A Government that respected our working class communities and proud mining and industrial heritage.

In 2.5 years the Federal Government has created the Net Zero Economic Authority, tasked with ensuring no worker or community is left behind in the energy transition. NZEA will coordinate investment in renewable projects and manufacturing, support workers with retraining and job placement and partner with local businesses to attract new industries.

The Hunter has been designated as one of NSW’s key Renewable Energy Zones, with the Federal Government committing over $1 billion to transform the region into a renewable energy powerhouse. With new wind, solar, and battery projects and green hydrogen initiatives; with the Port of Newcastle set to become a global export hub with their Renewable Energy Precinct and renewable components manufacturing leveraging our skilled workers to create thousands secure, high-skilled well paid Union jobs ensuring today's workers aren’t abandoned and security for the next generations of Hunter workers.

The $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund includes targeted support for the Hunter, including $3 billion for renewables and low-emission technologies, $1 billion for advanced manufacturing, helping local businesses pivot to new markets. Funding for defence manufacturing, with the Hunter’s industrial expertise well-placed to build Australia’s future sovereign capabilities.

This is a stark contrast to the to the former Government, that oversaw the decline of Australian manufacturing.

The Albanese Government is investing in critical infrastructure to support the Hunter’s growth with investment in High-speed rail for better connectivity, port upgrades for new export industries and road and rail improvements to boost freight efficiency. Investment that creates construction jobs while laying the foundation for long-term economic resilience.

We’re now seeing long overdue reinvestment in TAFE in critical occupations and trades. A Government partnering with our University to develop new training programs in renewables and advanced manufacturing. Energy Industry Jobs Plans to match displaced workers with emerging opportunities.

Hunter workers don’t need hollow slogans—we needs real investment, real jobs, and real leadership. In 2022, we elected a Government to deliver where the Coalition failed, ensuring the Hunter remains an economic powerhouse.

The Liberal/ National Coalition had a decade to act. They failed us. They did nothing.

Hunter workers deserves nothing less than a prosperous, diversified economy with safe, secure, well paid, meaningful jobs.

Put the Liberals and Nationals last- that's where they put you.

Leigh Shears, Hunter Workers Secretary