Federal Member for Shortland, the Hon Pat Conroy MP and Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi MP and have condemned Origin Energy for its handling of negotiations over the Myuna Colliery, accusing the company of playing corporate games while hundreds of Hunter jobs hang in the balance.
Negotiations between Origin Energy and Centennial Coal over a coal supply contract for the Myuna mine have stalled after Origin put forward a short term proposal that fails to secure the future of the mine or its workforce. The offer has been rejected by Centennial as commercially unviable and incapable of providing certainty for workers, their families or the wider community.
Myuna Colliery was built solely to supply coal to Origin’s Eraring Power Station and has no alternative domestic or export markets. Without a viable contract, the mine faces closure as a direct consequence of Origin’s refusal to commit to a fair long term agreement.
This dispute comes despite Origin extending the life of Eraring Power Station until at least 2029. While Origin continues to generate power and profits, it has chosen not to guarantee the local jobs that make that power possible.
Around 300 direct jobs at Myuna are now at risk, along with hundreds more across the supply chain in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter. The potential closure would have devastating consequences for workers, families, local businesses and the broader regional economy.
Pat Conroy and Dan Repacholi said they support the work and campaign being led by the Mining and Energy Union and stand with Myuna workers and their families in calling on Origin to take responsibility and secure a genuine long term future for the mine.
Community anger and concern continue to grow, with strong local campaigns including Stop the Wangi Wipeout Save Myuna demanding that Origin take responsibility for the future of the mine and the workers who have powered the Hunter for decades.
Quotes attributable to Hon Pat Conroy MP, Federal Member for Shortland
“I stand with the workers and broader community that for generations have given their blood, sweat and tears at Myuna. Origin has generated power and profits for decades off the backs of these workers but is now turning its back on them.”
“This is a meagre offer from Origin, a company that books billion-dollar profits. The company should do the right thing by the workers, and their families, as well as the businesses and broader community that have done the right thing by Origin for many years.”
“Origin must come back to the table with an agreement that provides financial security and certainty for the workers at Myuna. We are not talking about a forever deal. We just want a fair go for the workers and an agreement that gives them certainty for a few more years, and that supports the community that has been supporting our region for decades.”
Quotes attributable to Dan Repacholi MP, Federal Member for Hunter
“Origin’s offer yesterday was disgraceful. It was spin, not a solution. A short-term, take-it-or-leave-it proposal that provides no certainty for workers, their families or the local community is not good enough.”
“Eraring is running until 2029 and while Origin is locking in years of power generation, they’re refusing to lock in the local jobs that make that power possible.”
“Myuna was built to supply Eraring. There is no alternative market. If Origin walks away, this mine closes and that is a deliberate commercial choice, not an unavoidable part of the energy transition.”
“You cannot talk about responsibility, reliability or community while putting 300 workers on the chopping block and calling it an ‘offer’. The Hunter deserves better than corporate spin.”
“Origin must come back to the table with a genuine, long-term agreement that keeps people in work for as long as Eraring is operating. Anything less is unacceptable.”