JODI McKay has promised Hunter coal has Labor's support to play a major part in the local and state economy during her first visit to the region since becoming state Opposition Leader.
Ms McKay visited Rixs Creek mine, north of Singleton, with federal Hunter MP and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources Joel Fitzgibbon and Swansea MP and NSW deputy leader Yasmin Catley on Wednesday.
Ms McKay made the comments a week after independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, chair of a NSW parliamentary inquiry investigating energy supply and exports in the state, sought a 10-year transition plan and adjustment strategy for coal-mining regions.
Ms McKay said a future Labor NSW government would ensure coal had a future.
"It is the lifeblood of this community - it provides tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in royalties to the state's coffers," she said.
"We have stood with coal miners and coal mining communities for over a century. We will never turn our back on them.
"Having lived in the Hunter I know how vital coal is to the Hunter - it is the region's beating heart."
"Coal puts food on the table and pays the mortgages and bills for many Hunter families."
Ms McKay said that supporting coal would not stop the party taking a leading position on climate change or pushing for ambitious renewable targets.
"NSW needs to diversify its industries so that we are prepared for a future when our energy is coming from different sources - but it does not have to be at the expense of our domestic coal mining industry, the vast majority of which is exported," she said.
"New industries and traditional industries must work together to help address the challenges we face."
