Joel Fitzgibbon

Labor MP for Hunter 1996-2022 (26 years). Former Minister for Defence (2008-2009). Became increasingly vocal critic of Labor's climate policies, warning the party was losing blue-collar voters in coal regions. Crossed the floor and resigned from frontbench over Safeguard Mechanism emissions policy. His retirement and the coal/climate tension he embodied set the stage for Repacholi's selection as a working coal miner who could credibly represent the electorate's coal interests while staying on-side with Labor leadership.