2023-02-20
Newcastle (Awabakal and Worimi Country) The Greens NSW have today launched its plan to empower coal workers and communities in the transition away from fossil fuels.
Greens MP and Spokesperson for Treasury and Energy, Abigail Boyd joined Greens candidate for Newcastle John Mackenzie to launch the plan the Greens are taking to the NSW State Election.
“We don’t need to choose between taking urgent climate action and supporting coal communities – we can do both,” Abigail Boyd said.
“The workers and communities in coal reliant communities here in the Hunter and across the state are no fools, and they can tell that the Liberal and Labor parties are lying to them, saying coal can keep going for decades when it clearly can’t and shouldn’t.
“We must end coal and gas by 2030 if we have any hope of avoiding the worst outcomes from a rapidly changing climate.
“Only the Greens are willing to embrace the reality of the situation, and commit to working hand in hand with communities to acknowledge the change and seize the opportunity it presents – to deliver a brighter, diversified future for the region,” Abigail said.
The Greens plan will:
- Ban new coal and gas projects – including the Santos Narrabri gas project.
- Phase out existing coal and gas projects, along with coal-fired power stations, by 2030.
- Establish a fully-funded, accountable and independent NSW Energy Transition Authority to oversee the transition away from reliance on fossil fuels and to establish region-specific transition authorities to coordinate the diversification of local economies previously reliant on fossil fuels.
- Increase coal export levies in line with Queensland rates, raising an additional $8bn every year in State revenue, and commit at least $500m each year to the work of the NSW Energy Transition Authority and its local region-specific transition authorities.
- Require best practice clean-up of mines and power station sites and the installation of internationally-standard pollution-control technology on power station stacks.
- Support the call for a TAFE New Industries Training Centre in the Hunter, to reskill and upskill workers, and ensure all impacted workers across the State have access to relevant training.
Quotes attributable to John Mackenzie, Greens candidate for Newcastle:
“There is no doubt that the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power stations will hit the Hunter hard. We must have a plan to ensure that these communities, who have long helped to keep the lights on across our state, are not left behind as we transition to a decarbonised economy.
“Newcastle is ahead of the curve when it comes to our plan to diversify the Newcastle and Hunter regional economy – all we need is a government willing to give us the support we need to chart our own course away from the fossil fuel industry and towards new and sustainable industries,” John said.
Taking the Power Back Empowering coal workers and communities