HUNTER COMMUNITY ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY 2025

What happened

648 of us returned for a second year at the UoN Great Hall for the latest set of negotiations with the Federal and NSW governments.
Big shout-out to Newcastle Climate Change Response (181), Uniting Church (144), and the Catholic Diocese (52) for their incredible efforts in turning people out.
Powerful stories about stretched services, lack of housing, homelessness and energy transition were told by Renea, Lou, Tyler, Laura, Jack, Brittany, Nonie, Leah, Ian, and Helen.
The HCA launched two new research-action efforts: stretched services and isolation.

Negotiations

Negotiations on the night—led by our co-chairs Gwenda Brownell, Dave Belcher, and Teresa Hetherington with a special guest appearance from Teresa Brierley—followed ongoing negotiations from the HCA to secure key outcomes:

Housing

$150k per year for three years for a tenant-led renewal project at Hamilton South (last year we got in principle support from NSW Minister Rose Jackson)—this year we secured the funds.
HCA organising and this assembly created tension that has resulted in a $1Bn investment “to provide more crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence and for young people.”
The Government “will also invest $6.2 million in grants to support leading homelessness peak bodies to strengthen their advocacy, help coordinate the sector.”
Commitment from Sharon Claydon to get the HCA to the table in a meeting with Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil—Sharon shook on that.

Energy

Following a series of delivered promises raised in 2024, Fed Minister Chris Bowen announced $145m of the $800m for social housing upgrades will be in NSW, given spread of social housing, 10% of which can be expected in the Hunter.

Is this a win? Yes; it’s one thing to make a commitment to millions; in energy upgrades it’s harder to spend. Getting implementation approved so programs are actually delivered is critical, especially when successive governments (of all shades) over many years have announced money but it hasn’t turned into reality on the ground.

The HCA will be working on making sure that this is delivered in the Hunter—a key question around tracking negotiations (that starts the day after the assembly—no rest for the wicked!) with Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley.

We pressed the case, but didn’t secure any additional commitments for supporting renters to access affordable renewables. Sydney Alliance who also shares this concern will follow up on Thursday the week after in Westmead. Register to join the Hunter delegation here.
We got a maybe on hubs; Minister Bowen did commit, as with TAFE and our previous energy affordability asks, to meet with the HCA twice over the coming year to assess and secure a model. He shook on that.

As Dave said, “Not bad for a Thursday night!”

Lessons

Solidarity—whether it’s the staunch union song of “solidarity forever” or the wisdom of the encyclicals: Solidarity "is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others, but a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good." Last night showed us that action requires commitment.
Active citizenship—whether built on our commitment as people with disabilities, or care for our planet and resources for future generations; last night shows us that democracy requires practice.
Negotiation—whether it is technical expertise developed through housing and energy peaks, or from the expertise of lived experience from peer-led organisations and speaking up with our own voices; we see that successful negotiation requires specific, and researched solutions.

NEXT STEPS

Last night, due to time, we had to shorten Minister Rose Jackson’s pre-recorded speech—here’s the link to the full version.

In the coming weeks, look out for the formal report on the assembly and access to last night’s photos for organisations to use internally.

If you didn’t get a chance to tell us how you’d like to get involved, you can fill out the form here.

You’re welcome to join us on Tuesday the 18th for the Evaluation; your feedback will also be appreciated.

If you’d like to come to our 2-day training (28-29 March at Booragul) to learn how to organise, register here.

The Hunter Community Alliance is a non-partisan coalition of faith groups, community organisations, NGOs, charities, and unions dedicated to making a real impact in our region.

Together, we shape the decisions that shape our lives.

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