Premier Daniel Andrews snubs media at Hazelwood Power Station

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has been whisked through Hazelwood Power Station for a secret meeting with workers ahead of their last day on the job.

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has been whisked through Hazelwood Power Station for a secret meeting with workers ahead of their last day on the job.

Mr Andrews shunned media for the early morning tour of the plant, addressing around 70 remaining employees for the meeting described as ‘frosty’.

The Hazelwood Power Plant shut down its last two coal burners today.

“I’m not going to tell people that they shouldn’t feel sad or hurt,’’ Mr Andrews said.

“This is a really tough time and people will react in different ways.

“I want to be very clear to the people of Morwell and the Latrobe Valley — just as we stood with you when the mine was on fire ... we will stand by this community in the wake of the Hazelwood closure.’’

He said the State Government had invested more than $266m to ensure a future beyond its coal-fire power industries.

Premier Daniel Andrews failed to tell the media about his visit to the Hazelwood Power Station. Picture: Jason Edwards.

“I’m not going to tell people that they shouldn’t feel sad or hurt” Daniel Andrews on the closure of Hazelwood Power Station. Picture: Jason Edwards.

But it was Mr Andrew’s decision to exit the plant using an internal road — an apparent bid to avoid the media — that also drew scrutiny.

“I was pleased to visit there today on terms that were determined by those workers and their union and management,’’ Mr Andrews said. “That included entry and exit.’’

His visit to the site came as the State Opposition warned of dire consequences for Morwell and surrounding townships.

About 350 Hazelwood employees are expected to meet for a final farewell lunch on Friday.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the Premier should have done more to help after the energy provider Engie pulled the pin.

“Daniel Andrews and his government did not fight for these jobs,’’ Mr Guy said.

“We cannot have a situation where the second biggest state in Australia is now potentially facing brownouts and blackouts next summer because we don’t have electricity supply.”

Member for Morwell Russell Northe said it was a dark day for the region.

“While Engie has a lot to answer for closing this company in a short time frame, the fact is the state government and Daniel Andrews have conspired in closing this plant in such a short space of time,” he said.

Mr Northe said the government had set unrealistic renewable energy targets which had led to the closure of Hazelwood.

The criticism came as Employment Minister Wade Noonan tried to deflect the latest losses with a modest job announcement at Latrobe Valley Enterprises.

The local firm will add 24 jobs to its 120-strong workforce after it received a grant for a $950,000 expansion.

But Mr Noonan, who also met with workers this morning, conceded it was a tough day in Morwell and the government was working as quickly as it could with Hazelwood’s sacked staff.

“(They are) optimistic about their future,’’ Mr Noonan said.

“We are working as diligently and quickly as we can.

“The younger workers are looking to the future and where that future might take them.’’