Why we need a transition authority

Why we need a transition authority

One of the greatest challenges of our time is how we manage the transition from fossil fuel generated energy to renewables. It's a challenge that will impact heavily in coal mining and power generating areas such as Lake Macquarie and the Hunter, and for that reason we need the Coalition and Labor to take this issue much more seriously than they have been.

Both parties have taken some positive steps towards future-proofing our region, but they both fall well short and neither has committed to a regional transition authority which can steer us through the major challenges ahead.

The State Government has committed $25m to assist mining affected communities transition to a clean energy future, and last year I was successful in getting them to add our region to the list of Renewable Energy Zones which will provide incentives for private investment in renewable energies. On the other side, Labor has committed itself to rebuilding our manufacturing capabilities to create new jobs locally. These are very welcome and positive steps but aren’t anything close to what’s needed.

Last year I met with a group of miners and residents from Collie in Western Australia. Collie faces the same problems we do because coal mining and coal-fired energy are the backbone of their local economy. There, the State Government stepped in and committed $662m towards Collie’s economic diversification. That’s right, $662m in State funds to drive investment in renewables, create new jobs and transition that region’s economy.

Why isn’t that happening here? Why aren’t the Coalition and Labor taking this seriously? They’ve both enjoyed the billions in royalties which have flowed into the State’s accounts annually for decades, so $662m is a drop in the ocean for a region that has been the true engine of the State’s economy for half a century.

I’ve been working and campaigning with Hunter Jobs Alliance and others for some time now on a transition authority and, like me, they’re continually frustrated by the lack of care shown by the major parties on this issue.

Things must change at the coming election because we’re running out of time. I won’t be supporting any new Government which continues to ignore the looming economic disaster our region is facing. We don’t need more tinkering at the edges, we need a solid financial commitment to manage this transition, and that starts with a well-funded transition authority to guide us through the challenges ahead, and one which puts the State Government, our local councils, unions and industry all at the same table.

If WA can do it for Collie, then NSW can do it for the Hunter and Lake Macquarie.