Hunter candidate Dan Repacholi claims coal workers ‘not at risk’ under Labor

Labor’s Hunter candidate has fronted up to a live debate in the wake of his climate policy contradiction, claiming he’ll do whatever it takes to ensure coal jobs aren’t “left behind”.

Labor’s candidate for the Hunter says he’s willing to do “whatever I need to do” to make sure the region is not left behind – including going against his own party’s climate policies.

Former coalminer and Olympic shooter Dan Repacholi did not rule out following the footsteps of his predecessor Joel Fitzgibbon and fighting Labor’s climate policies to win over votes in the crucial seat which is held with a 3 per cent margin.

“I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to make sure we don’t get left behind in the Hunter,” he said at the Sky News candidates’ debate in Cessnock.

Mr Repacholi faced off against Nationals candidate James Thomson and One Nation’s Dale McNamara.

Mr Repacholi earlier told the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce that talks of a carbon tax under Labor were simply a “scare tactic”.

From left, Dale McNamara (One Nation), Dan Repacholi (Labor), and James Thomson (Nationals) ahead of the Sky News candidates’ debate. Picture: David Swift

The Labor candidate once again claimed that no mines in the Hunter would be impacted by his party’s safeguard mechanism – a statement Mr McNamara said was “a lie”.

The safeguard scheme will force the 215 biggest industrial emitters to reduce their carbon footprint dramatically so Australia’s emissions can be lowered to 43 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030.

“No mines will be affected in the Hunter by our safeguard mechanisms… this was brought in by James Thomson’s party back in 2016. This was brought in by Abbott… You guys have the exact same safeguard measures in place,” Mr Repacholi said.

His comments are in stark contrast to Labor’s climate spokesman Chris Bowen who said: “We will require the 215 emitters to reduce their emissions to net zero by 2050 and that is what the Business Council have asked.”

When asked if the emitters include coal mines, Mr Bowen said “Yes”.

Mr Repacholi’s comments contrast those of Labor’s Climate Change and Energy spokesperson Chris Bowen. Picture: Fiona Killman

“The Clean Energy Regulator will work with each of the 215 facilities,” he added.

Mr Repacholi responded to the footage of Mr Bowen’s comments by saying: “Workers will not be at risk under this policy, we will make sure of that”.

He said no government would dictate the future of coal mining in Australia.

“While people want to buy our coal, we will sell them our coal. The coal mining industry is as strong as it’s ever been right now. The only thing that will dictate what happens to the coal mining industry is the export market. That (decision) will be made in boardrooms overseas, that will not be made by any government here ever,” he said.

He also doubled down on his claim that the policy was identical to the Nationals.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese visited the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine in regional NSW on day 4 of the federal election campaign with Dan Repacholi. Picture: Toby Zerna

Nationals candidate Mr Thomson said the “Nationals have never and will never put a carbon tax on coal mining jobs”.

“Under the Labor party policy… there are 215 businesses around Australia that are affected, 15 mines here in the Hunter Valley and 10,000 workers who work at those 15 mines,” he said.

On Tuesday, speaking at Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce’s May Breakfast, Mr Repacholi claimed that talk of a Labor carbon tax hitting local industry was nothing more than a “scare tactic.”

However, despite claiming that local mines would be exempt from Labor’s “safeguard mechanism” to force high emitting coal mines to buy carbon credits if they were trade exposed, no specific carve out for mines is in the ALP platform and in earlier interviews opposition climate and energy spokesman Chris Bowen has ruled them out.

“We had (Nationals’ candidate James Thomson) just say that there were 15 mines and businesses in the Hunter that will be affected by an apparent tax,” Mr Repacholi told an audience Tuesday morning at the Chamber’s “meet the candidates” event.

Mr Repacholi spoke at a candidates' forum held by the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce. Picture: Supplied

“All we have to do is make sure that we are up to date with our competitors overseas in Mongolia and South America and Indonesia and make sure we are just doing better than them, which we already are with what we have in place at the mines here in the Hunter.”

“There will be no tax … that’s just a downright lie by this current government, it’s a scare tactic,” he said.

However Mr Repacholi’s comments, which echo those of other Labor candidates in the region who have also claimed that jobs would not be at risk from the ALP’s “safeguard mechanism”, do not align with Labor policy which requires businesses that emit more than a certain amount to buy carbon credits currently prices around $24 per tonne.

While the ALP platform says that there can be “tailored treatment for emissions intensive, trade exposed industries” no specific mention is made of coal mines.

Likewise when asked about Labor’s safeguard mechanism and what businesses it would apply to, Mr Bowen said that “it’s still the 215 (high emitting) facilities” that will be captured by the mechanism, a figure that includes more than a dozen coal mines and businesses in the Hunter.

Labor’s apparent disunity on the matter has come under attack from Nationals Senator Matt Canavan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said that Labor “seems to think they can win Hunter seats by walking both sides of the street.”

“The more Labor candidates mislead voters about their policies, like Dan has, the fewer people will vote for them.”

A Labor spokesman denied that there was any issue.

“Scott Morrison’s desperate scare campaign about a supposed sneaky carbon tax would be of great surprise to Tony Abbott, who introduced this policy, and indeed Morrison himself – who implemented it as Treasurer.

“As has been clear since Powering Australia was announced in December, Labor will provide tailored treatment for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries. This means Australian industries won’t be impacted by a greater constraint than their competitors overseas.

“That is why this policy has been supported by the AiG, the BCA, the ACCI, the NFF.”