From ex-mine workers and local residents to members of Lock the Gate and the Knitting Nannas, a small but diverse group of protesters gathered outside of Club Singleton ahead of the Hunter Coal Festival Mining Leaders Lunch.
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As the who’s who of the industry arrived at the venue, the defiant group voiced their concerns about what they perceive to be the government’s reluctance to initiate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in Australia.
Calling for “no new coal” and “clean air, soil and water for the children” as they waited for the Federal Resources Minister, Matt Canavan, to arrive.
Mr Canavan along with the Glencore’s Global Head of Coal, Peter Freyberg, were the Keynote speakers at the event that officially marks the beginning of the festival.
However, the minister ignored the group as he hastily made his way into a press conference, where he talked up the future of the industry.
“Anyone in this country who says our coal industry is in structural decline or not going to have a bright future is not backing Australian jobs,” he said.
“The demand for our high quality coal has never been stronger.”
Conversely, prior to the minister arriving, Glencore's most senior local executive made a point of engaging with the protesters. Mr Freyberg even offered to continue a discussion with a young protester at their Newcastle office next week. The meeting took place with Mr Freyberg maintaining his position that coal mining will exist in the region for many years to come.
