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| Wind farm worker |
The commencement of a price on carbon pollution tomorrow is a major national reform for the Australian economy and environment.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said the emissions trading scheme beginning with a fixed price on carbon emissions was an important step towards restructuring the Australian economy so it could be competitive as the world moves to clean energy sources and low pollution technologies for the 21st century.
She said Australia had to grasp the opportunity to create new clean technology jobs and industries created by putting a price on carbon pollution.
“There has been a lot of hard work to get this far, in recognition that a price on carbon is the most effective and cost-efficient way of taking action on climate change,” Ms Kearney said.
“Australia is the most carbon-exposed economy in the developed world, and it would be irresponsible to delay action, with long-lasting economic and environmental consequences.
“We recognise there is still a mammoth task ahead to turn the potential of a price on carbon into new jobs, to maximise the emissions abatement, and to realise the full economic and social benefits from pricing carbon.
“Unions have and will continue to stand up for the working Australians and their families to ensure their interests are fully represented under a price on carbon.
“The involvement of unions in the design of the carbon price resulted in a package that addressed household assistance, the protection of jobs, and investment in new job-creating technologies.
“The most important thing from now on is for investment to flow into new technologies to further drive the shift to a sustainable low-carbon economy – in Australia and around the world.
“The Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Clean Technology Program will play a crucial role in making that happen.”
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