An 'alternative economic strategy' that incorporates a container terminal must be developed for the Hunter Region or it risked becoming a US-style rust-belt region, One Nation MP Mark Latham has told parliament.
Along with Hunter MPs, Mr Latham took aim at this week's state budget for failing to invest in the region.
"I suggested to the government that there be a specific jobs plan for Newcastle in the budget, but I cannot find any mention of it or any of the initiatives that are needed," Mr Latham told the NSW Upper House on Thursday.
He cited government figures that indicate far fewer jobs would be created from alternative energy strategies and climate change initiatives than will be lost from the coal industry.
"I have looked at the studies where coal provides 75,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Hunter. The reports of the Coalition Government say that there are 5,000 replacement jobs. The best scenario that it can muster is 5,000 jobs, leaving a 70,000-job deficit. That is completely and utterly unacceptable," he said.
Mr Latham, who is moving to the Hunter in the new year, argued the construction of a container terminal at Newcastle was an essential and logical step to diversify the region's economy and create thousands of jobs.
It is estimated the container terminal would take $1.8 billion in private capital to build, create 15,000 new jobs and provide a permanent $2.5billion boost to GDP.
"This is critical work for the second largest city in NSW, providing employment opportunities that run up the Hunter Valley," Mr Latham said.
"The container terminal must proceed. It is important not just for the Hunter and for Newcastle but indeed for economic efficiency, for the movement of produce and other goods in all of the northern half of NSW. A state like ours should have two container terminals, not just Port Botany but also the Port of Newcastle."
Mr Latham also spoke in support of government investment in the region's cultural sector, including the Newcastle Art Gallery.
"I am not known overall as a great supporter of arts and culture other than rugby league and hanging out at the pub," he said.
"But I support the outstanding Newcastle Art Gallery, having recently visited, hosted by the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Mayor. It has been waiting years for a $16 million capital grant, creating 150 shovel-ready jobs in construction and bigger cultural industry tourism gains thereafter. Indeed, it is not as if the State needs to provide all of the funding for this. The council has put up $10 million and a private bequest has put up another $10 million."
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