The Minns Labor Government will today introduce legislation to protect up to 400 jobs at MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant coal mine in the Hunter, delivering certainty to workers and their families ahead of Christmas.
The Mount Pleasant Mine Bill 2026 follows the unique legal uncertainty introduced by the High Court's judgment over the mine's 2022 Independent Planning Commission consent.
As the mine's planning application has been returned to the Land and Environment Court, the Government's intervention means that Mount Pleasant workers won't need to be stood down while the process plays out.
The Bill:
Allows the mine to continue working in line with its current production and workforce profile, and produce up to 16.5 million tonnes a year until 2032, or until a new consent is granted.
Requires MACH Energy to enter into a Jobs Guarantee Agreement to secure the jobs of all permanent workers at the mine, including those who are at immediate risk. The planning consent authorised by the Bill will not take effect until the Jobs Guarantee is signed.
Imposes new Scope 3 emissions consent conditions, consistent with the IPC's recent approval of the Hunter Valley Operations mine, including limiting exports of coal to countries with emissions reductions policies in line with the Paris Agreement.
Under the Jobs Guarantee, MACH Energy will be required to report quarterly on permanent workforce levels, with significant fines for any reductions that are made without Ministerial approval.
The legislation will also provide a last-resort power for the Minister for Natural Resources to direct mining operations to stop if the company breaches the guarantee.
Earlier this year, the Minns Labor Government released the NSW Coal Industry 2026-50 policy document, which outlined a balanced approach to the state's coal industry, creating a framework for the extension and expansion of existing mines while reducing emissions.
The Government is also acting to ensure its framework for Scope 3 emissions is carried through to future coal mine applications, as it was for the recent HVO approval. To enable this, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Minister for Natural Resources are developing an appendix to the policy document and will provide it to consent authorities.
Coal mining directly employs around 25,000 people across NSW, including around 15,000 in the Hunter. Last year the region's 19 coal mines contributed $16.4 billion to the state's economic output and more than $1 billion in royalties to fund the schools, hospitals and roads working families rely on.
Coal is an important part of the state's economy, and only a Labor government can support coal workers today, as well as help them plan for the future.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
"Families across the Hunter have worked in our coal mines for generations. They don't need uncertainty hanging over their heads at Christmas - they need to know their jobs are safe, and this Bill delivers that.
"Hunter Labor MPs have stood with these workers since the High Court decision, and we thank the Mining and Energy Union for their strong advocacy.
"Only the Minns Labor Government is both supporting coal mining jobs today and backing workers and communities to plan for the future."
Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:
"Where there is uncertainty because of decisions made under old frameworks, our Government has shown we are willing to step in.
"This mine was approved under the previous Government's framework. While MACH Energy works through the court process, we need to make sure the mine's workers - to put it simply - keep their jobs.
"This is about backing working people and backing the Hunter communities that have helped power our state for generations.
"Our NSW Coal Industry 2026-50 framework provides certainty to workers so they can plan their future and to coal-producing communities so they can look to the future with optimism."
