I am writing to ask the Australian Government to refuse federal environmental approval for the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project. The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission has approved this enormous coal expansion at state level, but the project still requires a federal decision. The Commonwealth must now stop it. This project would allow two open-cut mines to operate into the 2040s and extract approximately 430 million tonnes of coal. The planning commission itself recognised that the project’s mining operations and the burning of its coal would generate approximately 809 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change in the Hunter, across New South Wales and globally. Approving a project of this scale while Australians face worsening fires, floods, heatwaves, insurance pressures and rising recovery costs would be reckless. It would make a mockery of Australia’s climate commitments and send an indefensible message: that governments acknowledge the danger of climate change while locking in decades more pollution. Conditions, offsets and promises of “mitigation” cannot make hundreds of millions of tonnes of additional coal pollution safe. Nor should Hunter communities be forced into dependence on coal for another generation. Workers and regional communities deserve serious, funded transition planning, secure industries and lasting employment—not a false choice between jobs today and a liveable future tomorrow. Every decision-maker receiving this letter has a responsibility to act.  My ask is clear: Refuse federal approval for the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project. Publicly oppose any expansion or extension that would keep these mines operating into the 2040s. Invest urgently in a worker-led transition plan for the Hunter, with secure jobs, retraining and long-term regional investment. There is no credible justification for approving one of the largest coal proposals ever considered in New South Wales when the climate consequences are known and the federal government still has the power to act. This is a test of leadership and integrity. Anything less than rejection would be a profound failure to protect Australians now and into the future.