To: Minister Tim Ayres MP
COLLIE WORKERS DESERVE CERTAINTY
AMWU members in Collie’s coal mines and power stations have kept WA lights on for over 100 years. But now we’re facing the closure of the coal industry with no certainty about when new industry will start.
Collie’s closure timeline is:
- Griffin Coal (~400 jobs) – Mining leases and state funding expire in June 2026
- Collie A Power Station (~80 jobs) – Oct 2027
- Bluewaters Power Station (~80 jobs) – AEMO is not modelling Bluewaters in the WA grid past 2028
- Muja Power Station (~300 jobs) - Oct 2029
- Premier Coal (~450 jobs) – 2030
Government and industry have promised us new jobs, and the planned new green steel mill and low-emissions magnesium metal refinery are exciting opportunities. But we have no certainty about when these projects will become a reality.
We need to send the federal government a clear message that if they can name a day to close our jobs, they can name a day to open new ones.
We need Industry Minister Tim Ayres to use Commonwealth funds to deliver for workers where we need them most.
We need the federal government to hear Collie workers when we say: no closing gates without opening dates.
Why is this important?
The federal government talks about just transition - the Net Zero Economy Agency, the National Reconstruction Fund, the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, and the Green Metals Innovation Network. But when it comes to Collie, nothing has landed. Collie is Australia’s most advanced just transition program, yet not a cent from these programs has gone to secure new jobs in our town.
We can’t wait. The federal government must step up, back real industry, and deliver a clear timeline of new job opening dates in Collie.
