NSW brands itself a mining state as Labor confronts One Nation surge

At an international mining exhibition, Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos promoted NSW as a competitive mining hub, citing reforms to planning, a royalties deferral scheme, a 25-year coal strategy and new exploration funding, and celebrating a 2025 critical-minerals pact with the United States. As the state election approaches, Labor faces a tightened race in mining districts, with Advent Energy’s poll indicating Labor and One Nation each at 33% support and the Greens also gaining traction.

Premier Chris Minns acknowledged One Nation’s surge in the Hunter region and reiterated Labor’s commitment to invest in people, safeguard wages and oppose privatisation. The High Court’s recent block on a Muswellbrook mine expansion sparked criticism from One Nation and the federal coalition, who claim state emissions frameworks restrict growth. In response, Minns announced a one-off intervention to preserve roughly 400 jobs threatened by the ruling, while Greens MP Sue Higginson warned the decision shows mining giants influencing legislation.