Interview on ABC NSW Country Hour with Amelia Bernasconi

HOST, AMELIA BERNASCONI: But first today the Federal Government says more than 7,000 new jobs could be created under plans for two mine sites in the Hunter Valley. Post mining plans for the Mount Arthur mine near Muswellbrook and the former Macquarie Coal complex at West Wallsend have been revealed today. They include things like opportunities for renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing. A government report is due by the end of the year setting out a reform agenda to streamline future post mining land use opportunities. But here to take us through what's been announced this morning is Senator Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Science. Senator, welcome to the program.

SENATOR TIM AYRES, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE:  G' day Amelia. Really good to be on the show.

HOST: Well thanks for being here. What exactly have you announced this morning?

AYRES: Well the Mt Arthur mine will close in 2030. It's reached the end of its viable economic life. What this plan will deliver here and at a similar mining facility in West Wallsend is an industrial master plan, that means while all of that remediation environmental work must still be done, that we secure the industrial capability here so that new factories, new warehouses, new heavy manufacturing facilities can go in creating good new blue collar jobs for the region. It's a pretty exciting development. It's an innovation that's been championed by local mayor Jeff Drayton but supported by the Minns Government and the Albanese Government.

HOST: Can you lay out for us what has been so challenging in terms of planning for industry for communities with the regulation I guess that has really been you know, strongholding this for some time.

AYRES: Well the traditional approach to mine remediation has been that everything gets knocked down, it's returned to its as close as you can get for an open cut coal mine to its original condition. The variation here is that where there are extraordinary facilities, you know, engineering facilities here that they will be kept open as possibilities for brownfield investment. I mean this is a remarkable opportunity for Muswellbrook. This is an industrial area that is close to rail, close to major highways, got great water and electricity connectivity and a skilled local workforce. This is a smart way of securing the industrial future for the Upper Hunter.

HOST: So, we're talking some 7,000 jobs. That's huge. What industries in particular do you see being able to set up shop here?

AYRES: Well there's opportunities for steel fabrication lower down the valley, opportunities for rail manufacturing, for advanced manufacturing, for work in defence and energy production. The sky's the limit really. What we have here is a fantastic industrial opportunity right where the opportunity is required. Close to electricity, close to water and close to major transport infrastructure. I'm really pleased that the flexibility's been shown to get on top of the planning laws and make them work for the local region.

HOST: There was always a bit of a joke, Senator. I'm an Upper Hunter girl and as we were growing up if you saw someone with P plates and a jet ski on the back, you sort of knew that they must have just started an apprenticeship, that they had that job security, you know, going into what would become a much higher paid job. The job security. Will these jobs of the future match those strong wages that the mining sector has offered in the past?

AYRES: Well, this has always been the challenge for the Hunter Valley that it's dealt with for 150 years. As new coal mines open, other coal mines close when they reach the end of their practical or their economic life. We've seen recently the closure of the Ashtonfield Mine and the opening of the Maxwell Mine. So, there will continue to be opportunities in mining in the Hunter Valley. But the Albanese Government has the biggest pro-manufacturing package of any government in Australian history. Because we want to re-industrialise the Australian economy, make Australia stronger and more economically resilient in the future. That does mean good jobs, additional investment in regions like the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley is the beating heart of Australia's industrial and energy capability – want to make sure we lever off that for the future so there's more investment and more jobs here.

HOST: And just looking at Mt Arthur, I mean the lead time for that, we're looking at 2030 for the closure. Can there be work done on the site now to potentially see those jobs, those new jobs up and running as soon as the mine closes?

AYRES: Well there's certainly as these plans are approved, it will change the way that BHP approach the mining processes and the way that they are undertaking remediation work in a way that sets a future industrial area up for the future. So, that work is underway and I do want to explore every opportunity to bring forward investment as much as we can. Getting this planning underway four years before the closure of the mine is the right approach. We don't want to be sitting on our hands here. This is practical action by Labor governments at the state and federal level, supported by local mayor Jeff Drayton to deliver the hard detailed work that's required to secure future investment.

HOST: And Senator, you've been on the ground like we say in Muswellbrook today at the Mt Arthur site. I understand you're also heading off to speak with AGL at the Bayswater Power Station. There's certainly been some announcements at the former Liddell Power Station from your government in the past. What will be among those conversations with AGL today?

AYRES: Well, I look forward to seeing work that they have undertaken and their plans for the future. Each one of these sites offers new opportunities. There's no single answer here. What it requires is a government that is prepared to put its shoulder behind the wheel at the state level and the federal level, local government and these big firms working with us to secure the future. There is an enormous amount of work to do, and I am committed and the Albanese Government is committed to supporting future industrial investment. We're an unashamedly pro-manufacturing government. We want to see good blue-collar jobs in this region for the decades to come.

HOST: Minister, really appreciate you joining us on the Country Hour this afternoon. Enjoy your time in the Upper Hunter.

AYRES: Thanks Amelia.

HOST: Thank you. Senator Tim Ayres, the Minister for Industry and Innovation, the Minister for Science with us on the Country Hour.