July 31, 2025
MEU members are making a strong case for co-ordinated support for workers facing upheaval when Eraring power station closes.
Power station operator Scott King and Myuna coal miner Joseph Price came to Canberra this week to talk to Ministers about why it’s so important that the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) implements an Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) at Eraring.
Scott and Joseph met Industry and Science Minister Tim Ayres to express their concerns for the future and hopes that the NZEA will deliver on its commitment to support workers directly affected by the energy transition.
The MEU and other unions have made a submission to the NZEA, making the case for an EIJP to support the thousands of workers facing displacement from the station’s scheduled closure in August 2027, with a possible extension to 2029.
The joint union submission argues that the closure of Eraring—Australia’s largest coal-fired power station—alongside its wholly dependent coal supplier, Myuna Colliery, will have far-reaching impacts on workers, families, and the regional economy. Myuna, operated by Centennial Coal, lacks infrastructure to supply coal elsewhere, making its future entirely tied to Eraring.
The unions are urging the NZEA to apply to the Fair Work Commission for a Community of Interest Determination, the critical first step toward establishing an EIJP. This plan, enabled under Part 5 of the Net Zero Economy Authority Act 2024, would place enforceable obligations on Origin Energy, Centennial, and all contractors and supply chain employers to provide transition support—including training, career and financial advice, and paid time to access these supports.
An EIJP would close serious gaps in support, promote best practice standards, and coordinate a smooth transition. There are significant gaps in transition support being provided to workers at Eraring Power Station; and workers at Myuna are receiving no transition support at all.
The Energy Industry Jobs Plan would also enable the NZEA to attract receiving employers, map skillsets, and facilitate redeployment into secure, well-paid jobs—especially important given the region’s reliance on coal and the limited transferability of skills.
“We have an opportunity to do a better job with the closure of Eraring than has been done with previous closures, like Hazelwood,” said Scott.
“Eraring is the biggest coal-fired power station in the country and the first to close under the NZEA. We don’t want Hazelwood 2.0 – Eraring should set a high standard for future transitions.”