‘Get a bit dirty’: unions urge Labor MPs to fill Joel Fitzgibbon’s void
Major unions are urging Labor MPs to fill the void left by Joel Fitzgibbon and publicly support the resources sector and traditional industries.
Major blue-collar unions are urging Labor MPs to fill the void from the retirement of Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon and “step up” in being publicly supportive of the resources sector and traditional industries.
Australian Workers Union national secretary Daniel Walton said he wanted other Labor MPs to step into Mr Fitzgibbon’s role of being outspoken in their backing of the coal and gas sectors.
“I think it is going to leave a big void in the party as (he is) a clear and articulate champion for blue-collar workers in the resources sector,” Mr Walton said of Mr Fitzgibbon’s coming resignation from parliament. “He has done a great job to get the party’s narrative to a more sensible middle-of-the-road position.
“The question is: who is going to step up … to pick up the ball and run with it from here?”
Peter Jordan, president of the CFMEU’s NSW energy and northern mining division, said he was concerned about the impact of Mr Fitzgibbon’s decision to leave parliament. “The union believes he has played an integral role to drag the party back somewhere to where it should be,” he said.
“In saying that, it is a real concern now for us knowing that Joel is moving on. I worry about anyone else in the party advocating as strong as Joel has in the last 18 months.”
Mr Jordan said he wanted Labor MPs, including Anthony Albanese, to visit thermal coalmines in the NSW Hunter Valley. In July, the Opposition Leader visited a mine in central Queensland that produces metallurgical coal, which is used to make steel.
Thermal coal is used for energy production.
“I have been advocating for Albo and his team to come to the Hunter Valley and go and dig a bit of coal up that is thermal coal and get a bit dirty and be genuine about their support for our industry,” Mr Jordan said.
“Joel says he has got (Mr Albanese) there … but my worry is once they know Joel is out of the way, they will shift back.”
The Australian revealed on Sunday that Mr Fitzgibbon would retire from federal parliament at the next election, putting an end to a 25-year career.
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