The Daily Telegraph editorial: Labor needs to pick sides on coal mine debate

The coal debate has given the ALP a stark choice: Is it a party devoted to maintaining and improving conditions for working Australians, or one struggling to offer an image of environmental concern while trying to contain rising Greens support in cashed-up urban electorates?

• Why won’t Australia’s ruling elite acknowledge the benefits of coal?
• Mundine: The Greens’ renewable energy agenda is fiction

Nearly three years ago, Tony Maher presented in stark terms the tension between unions and Labor over environmental issues.

“Green jobs is a mantra that may work well with people in an office environment, or with those yet to enter the workforce,” Maher, general president of the Mining and Energy Division of the CFMEU, said.

“It does not resonate well with people working in tough industries seeking some stability in their life and to put food on the table and their kids through school without constant worry about their next pay packet.”

State Opposition Leader Michael Daley and the CFMEU's Peter Jordan.

Maher’s speech pointed out the essential difference between what we might call Old Labor, a party devoted to maintaining and improving conditions for working Australians, and New Labor, a party struggling to offer an image of environmental concern while trying to contain rising Greens support in cashed-up urban electorates.

Maher wasn’t done. Next he said his union would not be “sweet-talked into giving up the jobs of our members” in exchange “for some well-meaning statements of principle”.

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Now matters have reached the point where the CFMEU is demanding some very unfashionable and politically challenging statements of principle from prospective Labor candidates in forthcoming elections.

In 2019, there is no more contentious subject than coal.

Consider, then, Labor’s dilemma.

The CFMEU’s NSW mining and energy arm is considering withdrawing electoral support for 11 candidates across NSW on the basis of their unsatisfactory backing of coal projects.

CFMEU district president Peter Jordan recently sent a coal-fired letter to NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley demanding support for Wyong’s Wallarah 2 Coal Project.

“You either support this politically motivated act to kill off the mine,” Jordan wrote, “or you support the legal rights of investors and the hundreds of mining and support jobs and business opportunities that this project will create.”

Thermal coal burns at a massive temperature. The CFMEU’s letter was similarly scalding, so much so that Labor Leader Daley is yet to respond.

His answer, when it comes, needs to address an obvious division in Labor values. Is Labor still a party for workers, or is it a party against industry and aligned with the Greens?

NEW BLOWS EMPLOYMENT RECORDS AWAY

As a rule of thumb, full employment in Australia has never meant full employment. The phrase is generally taken to mean unemployment is about 5 per cent.

Stephanie Choueri is about to start a new job next week. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Well, that rule has been well and truly broken by the NSW economic powerhouse, where unemployment is now running at an astonishing all-time record low.

Even Premier Gladys Berejiklian admits to being “blown away” by the latest figures. “I did not think we would get down to 3.9 per cent,” she said. This is great news for Australia’s greatest state.

And for a government facing a tough election.

BISHOP LEAVES THE BOARD

During a time of continuing political turmoil in Australia, Julie Bishop remained a constant.

First elected to federal parliament in 1998, when politics was not quite the rollercoaster it subsequently became, Bishop was quickly elevated to the ministry in John Howard’s Coalition government.

Julie Bishop leaves Parliament House after announcing her retirement. Picture: Kym Smith

Thereafter, Bishop remained on the Coalition frontbench throughout almost the entire remainder of her career, right up until the final tumultuous departure of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull last year.

Bishop ran for leadership in that last spill, encouraged by broad community support that wasn’t quite so broad within the Liberal party room.

“I was brought up to believe that entering public office should be one of the highest callings,” Bishop said in her farewell to parliament.

“An individual can make a difference to the life of the times. That remains my view.”

Bishop made a difference. It is the nature of politics that opinion of her contribution will be divided, even among Bishop’s own colleagues.

The Daily Telegraph, printed and published by the proprietor, Nationwide News Pty Ltd A.C.N. 008438828 of 2 Holt St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, at 26-52 Hume Highway, Chullora. Responsibility for election comment is taken by the Editor, Ben English.