NSW Labor’s tough talk on Eraring undermined by boost to coal royalties

The NSW government has accepted a recommendation to start talks with Origin about extending the Eraring coal-fired power plant. Photograph: Peter Lorimer/The Guardian

Daniel Mookhey, the New South Wales treasurer, has issued “a very clear” warning to the owners of Australia’s biggest power station, Origin Energy.

“Origin will feel the wrath of the people in NSW if they use [negotiations over the future of its Eraring power station] as an opportunity to game the system,” Mookhey said on Wednesday. “Origin should expect this government to engage with them in a pretty tough manner.”