Whitehaven Coal managing director Paul Flynn says the Albanese government’s “same job, same pay” agenda could be “terribly demotivating” for experienced staff unless a method for rewarding their expertise can be developed.

Speaking after Whitehaven posted a $372.3 million underlying half-year profit, Mr Flynn said 95 per cent of staff at BHP’s Daunia and Blackwater coking coal mines had accepted an offer to join Whitehaven when it completes acquisition of those assets.