What do HJA do?

The Hunter Jobs Alliance is a bold new community and union alliance. Grounded in the local, we will work with governments and industry to deliver a safe, prosperous future for the Hunter - one in which workers, their families and the environment thrive. The tight convergence of worker and environmental interests and a set of unique strengths provides a critical new option in influencing environment and socioeconomic outcomes in a litmus test regional debate. The work of Hunter Jobs Alliance is crucial to ensure no worker is left behind in the transition to a low emissions future for NSW and the nation at large.

Why is this work important?

The Hunter – with the world’s largest coal port and 4 power stations – is a national contributor to the social and political conflict delaying climate action. Fear and exploitation of backlash in electorally-relevant areas are hampering climate policy and constraining investment.

Energy industries that have underpinned the prosperity of the region and its 600,000 people are entering a period of dramatic change, threatening the prosperity of large numbers of locals. The region is woefully underprepared for this social dislocation. Government is not prioritising structural change policy, and there are serious challenges in attracting diversifying investment and jobs.

Consequently, livelihood fears are being electorally ‘weaponised’, threatening social cohesion, posing backlash risks, and removing critical policy tools required to address the climate crisis. The ability to create an effective response to maintain and create jobs and reduce emissions has been prevented by a ‘culture war’ that exploits concern about economic change to blame and stymie environmental policy to attract votes. Failures of government and local leadership have also contributed.

Notably, this problem has emerged without any jobs yet being lost due to structural change. Without action, there is a serious risk of entrenchment and acceleration of these constraints on climate policy and just transition investment.

How is Groundswell supporting this work?

Groundswell support will power HJA’s work retaining and growing Hunter based industrial jobs in the clean energy economy, as well as effective planning and investment to manage economic change in the Hunter.

Campaign 1: Retain and grow industrial jobs in the clean energy economy – starting with Tomago Aluminium.

Maintaining heavy industry is critical to jobs, manufacturing, and public support for emissions reduction. Retention of the region’s largest industrial employer, Tomago Aluminium, on an accelerated decarbonisation pathway, is a key outcome. We have set the following initial objectives: public statements of company decarbonisation intentions (2021/22); a multi-stakeholder firmed renewables roadmap (2022); and commitments to deliver 100% clean energy production by 2028/2030 (2023).

Information gathering, and engagement with smelter management, Rio Tinto, the NSW Government and workers confirms the HJA has a strong and unique angle, based on worker and community representation, a credible jobs-environment proposition, and a focused campaign. Public entry points are planned, including a major report collaborating with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Centre for Future Work (modelled on this previous work on Portland).

Campaign 2: Effective planning and investment to manage economic change in the Hunter

Supporting communities through change and taking opportunities in competitive emerging industries are challenging tasks. The role of the HJA is to force the delivery of effective responses in a regional/institutional environment subject to ‘lock in’ to existing industries, and lacking capacity and resources. We have made progress on the recommendations in our March launch paper No Regrets – Planning for Economic Change in the Hunter.

We seek three outcomes by end 2022: reinvestment of coal royalties in transition planning; a statutory body; and at least one foundational transition program. Public agenda-setting advocacy and engagement with the Deputy Premier recently helped deliver commitments of a $25m a year royalty transition fund, and a statutory ‘Hunter Expert Panel’.

We are undertaking detailed policy work, lobbying, and media to influence implementation, advocating for a Hunter Valley Authority and are launching a significant program of region-wide public workshops in collaboration with affiliate Hunter Renewal.

In addition, a regional Summit, business and investor outreach, and more detailed policy advocacy in key areas such as Just Transition investment policies are planned in 2022 to maintain momentum and open new campaign opportunities.

Grant update

To learn more about HJA’s impact, read our interview with Warrick Jordan, Co-ordinator for Hunter Jobs Alliance.

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