Adani CEO joins in questioning Labor’s clarity around coal jobs

The Labor camp is embroiled in climate policy confusion over coal mines and industry, with local MPs appearing to contradict the party leadership.

Cracks in the ALP’s climate policy have appeared amid Coalition claims that Labor has “lied” about the future of 10,000 Hunter Valley jobs and the CEO of Adani demanding clarity over the future of coal in a potential Albanese government.

Labor’s climate policy states that businesses whose emissions come in above a baseline target – currently 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year – must buy carbon credits to offset their emissions above that level under what is known as the “Safeguard Mechanism”.

According to Labor’s own calculations there are currently 215 businesses in Australia that would be covered by the Safeguard, with 17 of them in the Hunter Region.

At-risk businesses include the Warkworth mine and its 1231 jobs, the Hunter Valley Operations mine with 1240 jobs, the Tomago Aluminium Smelter with 1110 jobs, and the Mt Own Glendell complex with 810 jobs.

All up, the 17 affected companies employ around 9655 workers and create jobs for countless subcontractors and suppliers.

Labor’s spokesperson for climate change and energy Chris Bowen has confirmed there are no exceptions for coal mines. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Under official Labor policy there is no specific carve-out for coal mines, as confirmed by Labor energy spokesman Chris Bowen who said Sunday that “we will require the 215 emitters to reduce their emissions to net zero by 2050.”

“The Clean Energy Regulator will work with each facility, each of the 215 facilities and say, ‘all right, what’s the available technology that you can have to reduce emissions? And what are your competitors facing around the world? And what’s a sensible pathway for you to net zero?’” he said.

Hunter Valley Labor MP Pat Conroy, however, has suggested there will be “tailored treatment” for coal mines.

However last week Labor MP Pat Conroy, who represents the increasingly marginal Hunter Valley seat of Shortland, claimed in a newspaper interview that Labor’s emissions policy would exempt coal mines from having to reduce emissions.

While Mr Conroy floated the idea that coal mines would receive “tailored treatment” because they are “trade exposed”, there is no specific mention of coal mines in ALP policy documents.

The confusion was deepened when fellow Labor MP Meryl Swanson, who represents the nearby seat of Paterson, said that coal mines would not be exempt but rather could “negotiate an agreement with the Clean Finance Corporation to come to an arrangement that works best for them.”

It is believed she meant the Clean Energy Regulator.

Adani Australia CEO Lucas Dow says the contradictions are “deeply troubling” for communities reliant on the coal industry.

The contradictory claims comes as deputy Labor leader Richard Marles struggled to answer questions about the treatment of coal mines on the weekend.

When asked on Saturday if coal mines would be forced to buy carbon credits if they went beyond the thresholds set by the Safeguard Mechanism, Mr Marles fell back on modelling.

“Well let’s be clear on this. We have the most detailed modelling around the proposals that we have put in place that an opposition has ever produced,” he said.

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has also taken exception to what he believes are “lies” from the Labor camp. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Australian coal miners and the regional communities that depend on them in central and north Queensland, and the Hunter Valley, deserve to know if politicians and political parties truly support the coal mining sector,” said Adani Australia CEO and Country Head Lucas Dow.

“When I’m out and about in regional Queensland people tell me over and over that they are sick to death of some politicians saying one thing about coal in the regions and another in the city.

“Our industry welcomed Pat Conroy’s comments on Friday, but subsequent comments from Richard Marles and Chris Bowen should be deeply troubling for coal miners, their families and the communities they support, because both Mr Marles and Mr Bowen have been unable to state clearly whether or not they intend to levy taxes that will cripple the industry and cost regional jobs.”

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said “people are frustrated that Labor has not fought for their jobs and now they are ropeable they’re lying about them.”

“Labor has got to be upfront with the people and workers of the Hunter, who don’t take kindly to being lied to,” he said.

Originally published as Adani CEO joins in questioning Labor’s clarity around coal jobs