Revealed: Ex Green turned Labor candidate Carol Berry opposed ‘crucial mine’ in Wollongong

A Greens-turned-Labor candidate looking to win votes in the Illawarra previously opposed a “crucial” mine that would have created 500 jobs in the region.

A former Greens candidate who is now running for Labor in a key seat was among a group of protesters pushing for the axing of a mine project deemed “vital” and “critical” to the region.

Former Greens National Secretary and Labor’s candidate for Whitlam Carol Berry opposed the expansion of a mine in Wollongong — despite the proposal being deemed “vital” by the retiring Labor MP she is now looking to replace.

The safe seat of Whitlam has come into the spotlight at this federal election after long term MP and Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones announced his retirement.

Mr Jones was a strong supporter of the proposed extension of the Dendrobium mine, calling it “vital” in supporting BlueScope — the company considered the backbone of the Illawarra’s steel industry.

“If the mine doesn’t go ahead, BlueScope steelmaking is at risk so it’s vital,” Mr Jones said in a press conference in 2021.

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Carol Berry, candidate for Whitlam. Picture: PMO

BlueScope is also described the extension as “critical” when they fronted the NSW independent Planning Commission (IPC) in 2020.

Ms Berry, however, told the NSW IPC the project was “perverse”.

“I understand the significant economic benefits that the mine brings in terms of jobs, export dollars and the flow-on benefits to the Port Kembla Steelworks, for example, but despite that, I’m still opposed to the expansion,” she said.

“Given that mining does have an impact on water quality and quantity in the water catchment, I find it perplexing and even perverse that we are allowing this activity and considering an expansion of this activity.”

Her position was in line with Greens leader Adam Bandt and the party’s candidate for the neighbouring seat of Cunningham at the last federal election, with their stance going against the position of local business groups.

The construction and mining union at the time estimated the mine extension would have brought in 500 jobs.

Carol Berry is the candidate for Whitlam. Picture: PMO

The mine extension was later rejected by the IPC, but a revised plan received State Significant Infrastructure status from the NSW Government and was under consideration from the planning Minister when South 32, the company behind the proposal, confirmed it wouldn’t go ahead with their bid.

A Labor spokeswoman said: “Like many in the Illawarra community, Carol opposed the proposed expansion of the Dendrobium mine due to concerns around the impacts to the region’s water supply”.

“The proposed expansion was ultimately rejected by the independent Planning Commission for the same reason,” she said.

Whitlam has also received attention after the Liberals sensationally dumped their candidate Ben Britton and replaced him with former NSW state MP Nathaniel Smith.

The controversies have now shaped a competitive three-way contest in a seat that is disillusioned with Labor over plans for a wind farm off the coast of the Illawarra.

Locals opposing the project heckled Anthony Albanese and Ms Berry — who they claim is a Green in disguise — when they campaigned in the region recently.
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Originally published as Revealed: Ex Green turned Labor candidate Carol Berry opposed ‘crucial mine’ in Wollongong