Coal has been the backbone of the Hunter for more than a century. It has built our towns, powered our homes and created good jobs for generations of local families. When I talk to workers on site or families in our suburbs one thing is clear. Coal is not just an industry. It is part of who we are.
As we head into a new year, I want to make one thing very clear. I back our coal workers and our mining communities every single day. I always have and I always will. The Hunter powers the nation and the people who work in our mines deserve respect, security and a strong future. That is what I fight for in Canberra, because without our mining communities this region would not be the strong and proud place it is today.
The next year will be an important one for the coal sector. Demand is still strong in many parts of the world. Our coal is high quality, and many countries rely on it to keep their lights on and industries running. The world is changing but that does not mean turning our back on coal. It means backing the industry while also planning for the long term so local workers always have good jobs and so families can feel confident about their future.
I spend a lot of time talking with miners, unions, local businesses and energy experts. They want certainty. They want honest conversations. They want their government to stand with them. That is exactly what I am doing.
This year I will keep pushing the Albanese Government to make sure our coal communities are not forgotten. I am working with the Minister for Resources and the Minister for Industry to make sure decisions are based on real information from the ground. I am making sure the voices of our miners are heard at every level.
A key goal is securing strong investment in regional infrastructure. When our roads, rail lines and export terminals are strong the whole region benefits. I am also backing training programs to give workers real choice about their future. No worker should feel pushed out of an industry that has supported their family.
I will also keep fighting misinformation about coal. Too often our workers are treated as a problem instead of the people who keep our country running. That is wrong. Mining families deserve pride, not blame.
Our coal is cleaner and safer than many other sources overseas. If countries do not buy it from us, they will buy lower quality coal elsewhere which does not help the environment and only hurts local jobs.
The Hunter can be a place where coal and new industries grow together. We can support mining while building future opportunities. We can protect jobs while attracting new investment. We can do both if we stay practical and listen to the people who know this industry best. The workers.
I am proud to stand with our miners. As long as I am the Member for Hunter I will fight for this industry and the families who depend on it. The year ahead will bring challenges but also opportunities. And every decision I make in Canberra will be guided by one thing. What is best for the people who built this region and keep it moving every day.
Our coal communities deserve nothing less.
Dan Repacholi MP
Federal Member for Hunter, Special Envoy for Men’s Health
