DAN REPACHOLI MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HUNTER
MEDIA RELEASE
23 February 2025
MORE HUNTER WORKERS WIN SAME JOB, SAME PAY
Dan Repacholi MP, Federal Member for Hunter, has welcomed the landmark Fair Work Commission decision late on Friday afternoon, which has delivered a massive win for the more than 230 workers at BHP’s Mount Arthur coal mine.
The ruling by the Fair Work Commission ensures these workers will receive equal pay for equal work, with an increase of around $1,000 per week in wages and conditions, a long-overdue recognition of their contributions.
Since being elected, Mr Repacholi has been a fierce advocate for Same Job, Same Pay, fighting to end the exploitation of labour hire workers across the mining industry.
This decision is a major step forward in ensuring all workers receive fair pay and conditions, no matter how they are employed.
Mr. Repacholi acknowledged the efforts of the Mining and Energy Union and the workers who stood up to demand fair treatment, saying their courage and determination had helped secure this outcome.
Quotes attributable to Dan Repacholi MP, Federal Member for Hunter
“This is what fairness looks like.
“I couldn’t have been happier to get the phone call from those involved in the case late Friday afternoon, to tell me the workers at the Mount Arthur mine will no longer have to settle for less than what they deserve.
“The Mining and Energy Union fought BHP all the way to win this case, and their tireless efforts have delivered this life-changing result for workers and their families. They have stood up for fairness and refused to back down against corporate giants, and this ruling proves that their fight was worth it.
“For too long, labour hire workers have been doing the same job as directly employed workers but receiving far less pay. This is another blow to exploitative labour hire schemes that have shortchanged workers.
“This is a huge win for these workers and their families. It means more than $10million a year will be injected into local communities.
“The scourge of labour hire in mining has undercut wages and job security for too long, and this decision sends a clear message: if you do the same job, you should get the same pay.
“Miners work hard. They do long hours, big weeks and shifts at all times of the day and night. For someone to get paid less than their mates next to them for doing the same job is just an absolute insult and an absolute disgrace, and it's just not Australian. It is a wrong that we needed to put right.
“This is another big win for miners in the Hunter, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure every worker gets the respect, conditions, and wages they deserve.”
ENDS
