Local member Angus Taylor says the owners of the Tahmoor coal mine should either get it going or get out of the way and let someone else run it.
The federal member for Hume has written a letter to the owners of the mine, GFG Alliance asking for action to save the jobs of more than 250 mine workers who have been stood down.
In the letter, Mr Taylor calls on Sanjeev Gupta, who runs GFG Alliance, to act.
“The decision to stand down hundreds of workers at the Tahmoor coal mine is deeply disappointing and will have serious consequences for the workers, families and small businesses who depend on the mine,’’ Mr Taylor said in a media statement this morning.
“My first concern is for the employees and their families who are affected by this decision. Operations at the mine have been scaled back for several months, leaving workers without answers, suppliers out of pocket, and the local community in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
“For months, the community has been patient and hopeful that GFG Alliance would deliver on its promises, but that patience has now worn thin,’’ says Mr Taylor, pictured above (centre) at the mine in Tahmoor.
“GFG needs to be honest about the future of Tahmoor. Earlier this week, I wrote to Mr Sanjeev Gupta to make clear that GFG’s management of Tahmoor has failed to provide the stability, financial integrity, and long-term certainty required for sustainable operations.
“I put two choices before Mr Gupta. Either restart the mine, or, if that is not possible, pursue an orderly exit to allow new ownership to restore the colliery’s viability.’’
The Tahmoor mine has been operating for 46 years.
Mr Taylor says the Tahmoor Colliery is a critical asset for the region and for Australia’s steel and resources industries.
“With the right leadership and investment, I am confident Tahmoor can once again prosper, securing jobs, supporting local businesses, and delivering long-term economic benefits for the community.’’