Yancoal’s announcement on Tuesday that Ashton mine will close in 2028 due to geological issues, taking almost 300 jobs with it, hits close to home for the Hunter and Lake Mac, where we’ve only recently grappled with the near closure of Myuna Colliery.

To state the obvious, transition planning needs to have started years ago for the Hunter. But the federal transition scheme doesn’t support workers in export coal mines, including Ashton and indeed more than 90 percent of Hunter coal mines.

The State’s proposed scheme, set out in the Future Jobs and Investment Bill, would cover all mines – export mines included. It would require coal mines to prepare and maintain workforce plans. It would also set up an authority to lead strategic intervention and economic diversification in our coal regions, along with skills mapping and worker retraining.

The Bill passed the Legislative Assembly in March but is currently stuck in the Legislative Council, where political games are holding up the timely passage of legislation.

Political games in Macquarie Street should not be allowed to undermine the future of regional New South Wales. I spoke plainly in Parliament about the need to urgently pass this Bill, so our coal communities and workers can thrive for years to come, and called on the Coalition to step up so the Bill can pass.

You can read my full Private Members Statement here: https://shorturl.at/7mXeR