The decision to nationalise AESC and develop Leigh Creek proved to be prescient. In early 1947, mines in New South Wales were again crippled by strikes. The worst strike came in 1949, forcing Chifley to send in the armed forces to extract coal.
The decision to nationalize AESC and develop Leigh Creek turned out to be astute. In early 1947, mines in New South Wales were again disrupted by strikes. The most severe strike occurred in 1949, necessitating Chifley's deployment of the military to extract coal.