1 October 2026
Hitendra Joshi, Community Independent candidate for Ashwood, says the approval of the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) coal mine extension near Singleton is a warning for Victoria.
The approval allows Glencore and Yancoal to keep mining the north site until 2045 and the south site from 2030 to 2042. HVO says the mine supports 1,500 jobs.
“This week we learnt that NSW Labor is turning back time,” Mr Joshi said. “The argument is that jobs and export dollars outweigh the environmental costs. We need Victoria to do better than this.”
“Climate harm doesn’t stop at the border. Coal sold overseas still comes back to us as bushfires, floods and heatwaves, and this approval locks in decades more of it.”
The project still needs federal environmental approval, expected before the end of the year. Mr Joshi called on the Albanese Government to block it.
“The federal government has the power to stop this project, and it should use it,” he said. “The Prime Minister has called for bravery on climate. This is the time to show it.”
“I understand why people in the Hunter want certainty about their jobs, and that concern deserves respect. But delay doesn’t protect workers. It pushes hard decisions onto people with less time and less support. We need to end the ‘kick the can’ culture in Australian politics and make the hard decisions today.”
Mr Joshi said Victoria must keep its commitment to net zero and deliver a genuine renewable energy transition.
“If elected, I will push for accelerated renewables, with proper community consultation, and back household solar, batteries, insulation and heat pumps, including for renters. Cheaper renewable energy is also one of the best ways to ease the cost of living. I will advocate for funding for renewable and storage research, and for trades pathways and apprenticeships so workers can move into the new energy economy.”
“Ashwood deserves a representative who will make the long-term call, not one who hands the problem to the next generation.”
Media contact: Gregory Storer, Campaign Manager, [email protected]
Authorised by G Storer, 16-20 Bulli Street, Moorabbin, Victoria.