These are the issues that called me to public office, and they remain my top priorities as a local member. They always will be.

During my period as a local member climate change has emerged as both a very real issue and one we must address. But the topic is sucking so much oxygen out of the political discourse that there is barely any room for the other things which matter in people's lives. "Renewable Energy Superpower" is a slogan, not a policy or a plan. Net zero emissions is an ambition I support, but it's not a strategy.

Everyone keeps telling me our region is in economic transition. I agree - it always has been. That's why I've spent my political career energetically encouraging greater local economic diversity. But why cost local jobs by accelerating this transition through government policy? The market is already doing it.

I've been accused of not having a "transition plan". But I've been working on transition for 25 years. I haven't been waiting for more wind turbines to be built or for Japan to stop buying our coal. The Hunter Expressway and other road upgrades, enhancing our schools and TAFEs, tourism grants, renewable energy grants, new hospitality schools and support for our manufacturers. I've been a part of all these things for our communities in the quest for greater economic diversity. I've often been accused of being too "pro-development" - one such example is Weston's "dross plant", still employing 80 people and yet to do any harm. For me it's all about people.

The day will come when other countries stop buying our thermal and steel-making coal. But it's a long way off yet, decades in fact.

Meanwhile we are attracting renewable energy and gas generation projects to our region. When last in Government, Labor brought the CSIRO Energy Centre to the Hunter to help us leverage the opportunities. It's happening. Hopefully one day the Hunter Gas Pipeline will be transporting green hydrogen manufactured in our own backyard, and our region will be home to lithium battery manufacturing.

Since AGL announced the closure of Liddell Power Station, I've been working with the company on projects to replace it with gas, pumped hydro and battery storage. And of course, the upgrade of Bayswater Power Station.

The transition is on, but we need to be inclusive, not exclusive in our policymaking. We need to take care of one another, to have one another's back. That's always been our way, here in the Hunter.

Joel Fitzgibbon is the Federal Member for Hunter

Letter to the Editor

As a Hunter electorate voter I have watched the Joel Fitzgibbon circus with much interest. I have a question which is driving me crazy.

""What do the coal workers/unions who are supporting Joels stance really believe?"

Do they believe Joel can reinvigorate the coal industry or stop coal companies closing mines

(Sorry he cant. The thermal coal industry is in terminal decline and coal companies will close mines when it suits their financial situation. It is already happening)

Do they believe he can wish away climate change by downplaying it?

(Sorry I wish he could do that. As a grandfather I would back him 100% but he can't).

Do they believe that climate change is not happening and it all a plot? (I believe the majority of people in Australia are smarter than that)

So please tell me what do the unions and people who support Joel's stance really believe he is offering.

Henry Wellsmore

Carey Bay