Mr Bandt, the Federal Member for Melbourne and the Greens spokesperson for energy and climate change, is scheduled to join NSW MLC Mr Buckingham at the Muswellbrook and District Workers Club on Tuesday, August 1, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

The pair will listen to local residents, via a Q&A session, and hear their views about building and supporting new industry and business in the region.

“The transition to clean energy is inevitable, but we need a national plan that ensures the transition helps fight global warming and works for communities and workers in the areas that have relied on jobs in coal-fired power like the Hunter Valley,” Mr Bandt said.

“Without a coherent national plan, Australia’s energy future will be dictated by private companies in boardrooms – like what we’ve seen with Hazelwood’s unplanned closure in Victoria.

“What communities need is certainty and leadership from their government, not frenzied scrambling at the last minute. 

“The Greens have a plan to transform the electricity sector with the establishment of a new independent public authority, Renew Australia, to short-circuit the federal/state stand off and lead the energy transition.

“The most important reason we are visiting Muswellbrook is to listen to what people in the region have to say about the transition. 

“Together, we can learn from Hazelwood so that by the time the next power station retires, we’ve got secure jobs and industries for workers to move into.”

Mr Buckingham echoed Mr Bandt’s sentiments.

“The NSW Government does not have a plan for the inevitable transition from coal to clean energy,” he added.

“We need a strategy that looks after communities and creates opportunities rather than a chaotic collapse in the future.

“The Greens are meeting stakeholders, listening to industry, workers and the community to assist us in the ongoing development of transition policies.”

To RSVP for the local function, visit http://www.beyondcoal.com.au/muswellbrook