August 29, 2025
Over 70 MEU delegates from across Australia met in Sydney this month for a two-day meeting on the shared challenges facing our industry and the actions needed to deliver the best outcomes for MEU members and their communities.
This marked the first national meeting of energy industry workers since the establishment of the Net Zero Economy Authority, long advocated for by our union.
With workers from Collie, Latrobe Valley, Central Queensland, Lithgow and the Hunter Valley represented, there were varied experiences and common themes. In Collie, the WA Government has invested heavily in worker support schemes and backing for new industries – including a medicinal cannabis facility, Green Steel smelter, and Green Magnium smelter; MEU members in the Latrobe Valley expressed dismay at lack of support by the Victorian Government for numerous projects proposed for the region, raising fears for the future of the region after further power station closures.
Queensland Delegates are grappling with having commitments to worker transition support ripped up by the new Crisafulli LNP Government; while in NSW, delegates from Eraring Power Station and Myuna coal mine are the first to engage formally with the Net Zero Economy Authority about establishing an Energy Industry Jobs Plan to support workers affected by Eraring’s closure, scheduled for 2027.
Delegates from the Lithgow area raised valid and deeply held concerns about the allocation of supports to region, and its exclusion from being a NZEA focus region. They were able to express these concerns directly with the CEO, David Shankey, and the MEU is committed to continuing to advocate for targeted supports for the Lithgow region.
Common themes raised throughout the meeting included uncertainty about reskilling for future jobs, fear for regional communities and concerns about the safe operation of power stations amidst lack of investment in maintenance and fluctuations in renewable energy entering the grid.
MEU General Secretary Grahame Kelly said that with rapid change occurring in the energy industry – including closures at Eraring and Yallourn power stations by 2028 – the MEU would continue to foster engagement between sites and Districts; and would use all avenues to secure improved outcomes including backing new industries and technologies; getting better conditions in Enterprise Agreements and working with state and federal governments to maximise support for workers.
Delegates agreed on the following statement:
MEU Delegates from power stations and captured coal mines across Australia have met for a constructive two-day meeting to discuss the shared challenges we face, political and industry developments, and actions to improve outcomes for our Members.
Delegates expressed concern and called for urgent action to address:
- Mental health and psychosocial well-being of members and families facing uncertainty about the future
- Safety, investment in maintenance, reliability and stability of the energy grid as facilities head towards closure
- Support for new industries to provide jobs in energy regions for the current workforce and future generations
- Support for coal-related industries and technologies including carbon capture, storage and utilisation (CCSU).
We will work together to address these issues through: lobbying and public advocacy, investing in relevant research and capacity-building projects, sharing experiences and information, and collaborating with employers and project proponents who align with our priorities regarding jobs and community support.
We will stand up for all regions affected by energy transition to receive the support they need.
Delegates welcomed the establishment of the Net Zero Economy Authority with its remit to support workers displaced by the closure of power stations and captured coal mines. A statutory federal Authority is a significant achievement that was called for at our previous meeting in February 2023; and we recognise the efforts of MEU Delegates in advocating for this outcome.
We are committed to working with the NZEA to achieve concrete outcomes for members facing closure, including the establishment of comprehensive Energy Industry Jobs Plans at closing facilities; while also working to strengthen the powers of the NZEA, including to compel employer participation in worker redeployment schemes, and expanding the scope to ensure all affected sites and communities receive support.
We call on State and Federal governments to fast-track investment and remove barriers to the development of new projects and industries in energy regions to create future well-paid jobs in our communities.
We call on mine and power station operators to take a proactive approach to supporting workers facing closure and to prioritise worker health and safety, including mental health, and to invest in the highest standards of maintenance.
We thank Industry Minister Tim Ayres and NZEA CEO David Shankey for attending our meeting to update delegates on Federal Government activities relating to workforce support and industry development.
