TELL HOSTPLUS THAT MARK VAILE NEEDS TO STEP DOWN

Mark Vaile is the chairman of Whitehaven coal—the biggest pure play coal miner on the Australian share market. Whitehaven has a long history of trashing local communities and the environment. The company’s Maules Creek coal mine, for example, is one of Australia’s most controversial mining projects. Despite a massive community campaign (which included a two year blockade), Whitehaven bulldozed hundreds of hectares of critically endangered forest to build the Maules Creek open cut coal mine.

Recently, Mark Vaile was lined up to become the next Chancellor of the University of Newcastle. But after backlash from staff, students, alumni, the NTEU and university donors, the university released a statement confirming that Vaile had decided to decline the appointment. [1]

Currently, Mark Vaile is also on the board of Hostplus—the super fund for workers in hospitality, tourism and sport. Hostplus has over $800 million invested in fossil fuels. The board is ultimately responsible for the fund. If the University of Newcastle community doesn’t want Vaile guiding them into the future, will Hostplus members also reject him as a board member of their $50 billion super fund? Sign onto our open letter calling on Hostplus to remove Vaile from the board of your super fund.

Please note: Once you sign on, your first name and the initial of your surname will be added to the letter, alongside the other signatories, and sent to Hostplus.

[1] Mark Vaile quits Newcastle University chancellor role amid backlash over coal links, The Sydney Morning Herald