The Minns Labor Government will introduce legislation in the next sitting fortnight to protect 400 jobs at MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine in the Hunter, providing certainty to workers and their families in the lead-up to Christmas.
As part of the intervention, MACH Energy has agreed to a Jobs Guarantee with the NSW Government to maintain its current permanent workforce until 2032.
The legislation will address the unique legal uncertainty arising from the High Court’s judgment on 7 October 2026.
The NSW Government has been working closely with MACH Energy since the decision, with the company advising that without legislative intervention, it would need to scale back production, putting hundreds of jobs at risk and affecting businesses across the mine's supply chain.
At a time when families are already under pressure, the Government is acting now to prevent hundreds of workers from facing the prospect of losing their livelihoods.
MACH Energy has been scaling up their operations in line with the Independent Planning Commission’s original decision in 2022.
The Government is taking targeted action to protect those jobs while the court process in relation to the IPC's 2022 decision continues.
It is anticipated MACH Energy will continue working through the court process to gain approval to continue its existing operations until 2048.
The Bill addresses the immediate uncertainty by authorising an increased annual production limit of 16.5 million tonnes (MT) until 2032. This is consistent with their current workforce and coal production profile.
The Jobs Guarantee will establish a legal obligation to maintain current staffing levels. Currently 826 permanent workers and contractors are employed at Mt Pleasant.
Importantly, the provisions granting the mine statutory consent will not take effect until MACH Energy has signed the Jobs Guarantee, ensuring the company makes a legally binding commitment to workers before receiving the benefit of the legislation.
The legislation will also place additional conditions on the mine to mimimise its Scope 3 emissions in line with the Independent Planning Commission’s requirements for the Hunter Valley Operations mine and the NSW Coal Industry 2026-50 document .
This legislation responds to the unique circumstances facing Mt Pleasant’s workers. It will not be extended to any other projects.
The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Minister for Natural Resources will produce a technical appendix to the NSW Coal Industry 2026-50 policy document to provide additional guidance for the industry and planning authorities on how Scope 3 emissions should be addressed.
A similar action was taken by the Government in 2024 when the Net Zero Act came into effect.
The Minns Labor Government has a record of stepping in to protect regional jobs and the communities that depend on them.
We’ve taken action to protect jobs and the state’s financial interests at Tahmoor Colliery.
We will continue to support the workers and industries regional communities rely on today, while creating new jobs and opportunities for the future.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“At a time when families are doing it tough, the last thing they need is the uncertainty of losing their livelihood just before Christmas.”
“For 400 workers at Mount Pleasant, that’s the uncertainty they’ve been facing, and we’re not prepared to stand by and let that happen.
“Labor has always been the party of working people, and that means standing up for jobs and the communities that depend on them.
“Our commitment to tackling climate change hasn’t changed, but neither has our commitment to protecting working people.
“We have a responsibility to cut emissions and make sure there are good jobs in the years ahead, but we can't turn our backs on the workers and families who rely on these jobs today.”
Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:
“We understand miners, their families and industry want certainty. Our Minns Labor Government is making this one-off intervention to support the 400 workers and guarantee their future.
“Our NSW Coal Industry 2026-50 document now provides a clear framework for the industry to support jobs at existing mines and also address emissions. This issue – and the IPC consent – pre-dates our government, and this framework.
“We have engaged closely with MACH Energy since the High Court decision and thank the Mining and Energy Union and the Mayor of Muswellbrook Jeff Drayton for their advocacy.”