For media enquires, please contact:
Justin Page HJA Co-ordinator: [email protected]
‘Stop the political games’: call to pass bill to protect redundant Hunter miners
The Future Jobs and Investment Bill is still stalled in the NSW Parliament. The bill would establish a Future Jobs and Investment Authority to coordinate long-term workforce transition and regional investment, and require mining companies to prepare workforce transition plans.
Last week’s news that Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) had its mine exit strategy removed before its 18-month extension, alongside the recent unexpected Ashton coal closure announcement, highlights why transition planning can’t wait. Workforce planning must be embedded in legislation years before mine closures. Hunter Jobs Alliance coordinator Justin Page said the HVO situation demonstrated why transition planning should not begin when a mine announced its closure.
“By then, workers and communities are already on the back foot. Workforce planning, retraining and regional investment must be embedded in legislation years before jobs are at risk,”
Urgently passing the Future Jobs and Investment Bill is an important step towards putting those obligations in place
July 23rd, 2026
No strategy to manage the social impacts of coal mine’s closure
Evidence presented at the Independent Planning Commission hearing into the proposed extension of Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) has revealed that a requirement for the mine to have a mine exit strategy to manage the social and economic impacts of closure was removed. When an 18-month extension of HVO was approved in April 2025, the mine exit strategy condition was quietly deleted. It appears that HVO and the NSW Planning Department worked together to remove this key condition just when it was needed most, less than two years before mining was due to cease.
With the Federal transition authority (NZEA) excluding export coal mines from support and the NSW transition bill (FJIA) still stalled in parliament, coal companies are still not legally required to plan for, or financially contribute to, managing the social and economic impacts of mine closures. Hunter Jobs Alliance has been warning for years that whilst governments are talking about transition, they have failed to put institutions and policies in place to protect coal workers and coal communities.
Full article: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/9315670/a-key-condition-for-the-hunter-valley-operations-mine-has-been-removed/
July 15th, 2026
Supporters and opponents prepare to clash over proposed mine expansion
As the Independent Planning Commission considers the proposed Hunter Valley Operations mine extension, the Hunter Jobs Alliance says the proposal highlights a major gap in support for export coal workers. Organiser Sam Wilkins said the Net Zero Economy Authority’s Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) “still excludes export coal workers, like those at HVO”, despite 90 per cent of Hunter coal being exported. He said “If the government is serious about a fair transition, the EIJP has to step up and support these workers”.
Full article: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/9310593/hunter-valley-operations-ipc-hearing-sparks-fierce-coal-debate/
June 24th, 2026
Broadmeadow funding welcome, but Hunter community looks for substance in budget
Hunter Jobs Alliance community organiser Sam Wilkins welcomed the NSW government’s commitment to supporting Tomago Aluminium, though the exact figure is still subject to negotiation with the Commonwealth. Wilkins pointed to Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s comments that renewable energy investment is key to keeping the state’s economy moving, saying “Tomago is exactly the kind of opportunity that proves the point: using cheap renewable energy to anchor major industry, drive new investment, and generate economic activity for the state.”
May 16th, 2026
‘Feds need to step up’: NSW promises funding for Tomago Aluminium in next month’s budget
The NSW government is set to reveal its contribution to a joint funding package for Tomago Aluminium in next month’s state budget, with the deal estimated to cost between $300 million and $470 million, amid ongoing negotiations with the federal government over the funding split.
Hunter Jobs Alliance has criticised the NSW government for failing to properly engage in more than five months of talks, warning that continued inaction is destroying confidence across the Hunter Region. As HJA Coordinator Justin Page said: “Why has the NSW government still not properly come to the table after more than five months of uncertainty? The NSW government needs to stop standing on the sidelines and start fighting for Hunter jobs.”
Full article: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/9247591/state-government-to-reveal-tomago-aluminium-funding-package-in-state-budget/
April 30th, 2026
Hunter groups turn up the heat on state government over Tomago funding package
A strong coalition of Hunter organisations is calling on the NSW Government to back a 50–50 funding agreement to secure the future of Tomago Aluminium — a critical employer and cornerstone of the region’s industrial economy.
Hunter Jobs Alliance joined 15 groups in urging the state to act, highlighting Tomago’s central role in supporting jobs, supply chains, and the Hunter’s clean energy transition.
“This is bigger than one site. Tomago supports thousands of workers, contractors and supply-chain businesses across the Hunter. The priority now should be constructive negotiations that provide certainty, unlock the clean energy infrastructure needed for the future, and secure a durable long-term solution for the region,” said HJA Coordinator Justin Page.
Full article: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/9236848/hunter-groups-urge-state-50-50-funding-deal-for-tomago-aluminium/
April 29th, 2026
Minns: ‘significant’ funds to rescue Tomago smelter, but questions hang over deal with Canberra
The NSW Government says it has reserved “significant funding” to support Tomago Aluminium in the Hunter, as negotiations continue with the Australian Government over a proposed 50–50 cost-sharing deal to secure the smelter’s future and its 1,500 workers.
Hunter Jobs Alliance coordinator Justin Page says an active partnership between the state and federal governments is essential to provide certainty for Tomago workers and supply chains across the region. “With a state election on the horizon, it’s a political reality that failing to support these workers, their families, and the broader industry supply chains would risk a major political backlash,” said HJA Coordinator Justin Page.
Full article: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/9236162/tomago-aluminium-smelter-nsw-resists-federal-50-50-rescue-deal/
April 27th, 2026
Pressure rising on state government to agree to 50-50 cost-sharing deal to save Tomago
Tensions are rising in the Hunter as negotiations continue between the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government over a proposed support package to secure the future of Tomago Aluminium and its 1,500 workers. The Commonwealth has proposed a 50–50 cost-sharing arrangement with the NSW Government to help deliver a long-term clean energy solution for the smelter beyond 2028. The plant is one of the region’s largest industrial employers and uses about 12 per cent of the state’s electricity.
Hunter Jobs Alliance says reaching agreement is critical to provide certainty for workers, businesses and supply chains in the region. “We urge the NSW government to work constructively alongside the Commonwealth to deliver a viable pathway forward. That means clear policy backing, enabling the development of critical clean energy infrastructure, and committing to aligned investment, including taking on a fair share of the risk, to secure a sustainable long-term energy solution for Tomago.” – HJA Coordinator Justin Page.