In the wake of the 2019 election, many commentators argued that Labor’s supposed “ambition” on climate had alienated blue collar regional communities. Some advocated that Labor should retreat on climate goals, while others argued that only making an argument for a “just transition” could win working class support for climate measures.

In this session, Socialist Alternative’s industrial organiser Jerome Small will dispute every part of this narrative. Coal communities are alive with debate over the (much-overstated) “transition” away from fossil fuels. Disillusion with Labor stems from repeated sellouts on working conditions as much as any discontent over climate. Jerome will draw on research and interviews in the coal districts to present a Marxist analysis of the rapidly-shifting terrain of class struggle, and what that means in the battle for climate justice.