ELEANOR HALL: One of the key unions representing power workers today welcomed a report which says a price on carbon could lead to more than 30,000 jobs in regional Victoria over the next 20 years. The Climate Institute report says a price on carbon will create new job opportunities in all a range of clean-energy industries.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says it's keen to harness opportunities in the renewable energy sector, as Rachel Carbonell reports.
RACHEL CARBONELL: The Climate Institute report was launched by the independent member for New England, Tony Windsor in Canberra this morning.
The chief executive of the Climate Institute, John Connor says the research shows a carbon price will lead to big growth in renewable energy jobs in Australia particularly in regional areas.
JOHN CONNOR: What we've found is a net growth in the power sector so we have looked at the ups and downs here with this transition, a net growth of some 34,000 jobs nationally so this is an important element.
We'll see numbers of scare campaigns and hypothetical about the drops against business as usual so this shows we can significantly reduce pollution, grow the economy, grow jobs.
RACHEL CARBONELL: He says the research is very detailed.
JOHN CONNOR: This is ground-breaking research which it combines not only modelling, top-down modelling in terms of the clean energy resources and opportunities that are there if we put a price on pollution and also bring on clean energy policies, but we combine that with on-ground research and discussion with business and community leaders about how we make those opportunities and turn them into reality so it is also looking at the skills and industry development policies that we need.
RACHEL CARBONELL: The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has welcomed the report. National secretary Dave Oliver says the industry must be proactive.
DAVE OLIVER: Well, our union has always viewed tackling climate change not only as a threat but an opportunity and you only have to look at the global clean technology sector in the world, is globally worth $6 trillion and that is why we have been keen to see that the government in any policy about tackling climate change ensures that our country is positioned to get in as part of that industry.
So we welcome the reports that clearly show that there are actually jobs in it if we get it right.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wisconsin: 100,000 Strong!
On a snowy Wisconsin Saturday over 100,000 union members, working families, community members, faith leaders, activist groups and concerned citizens gathered in Madison to tell Gov. Walker to stop the attacks on the middle class and kill the bill.
Despite the weather today’s rally was the biggest in the thirteen days of protests. The people of Wisconsin will continue to fight for their rights. It is time for our elected officials to show leadership, come to the table and move Wisconsin forward.
AFL-CIO Blog
ACTU: Carbon Pricing an Important Step
25 February, 2011 | Media Release
A price on pollution is vital to open the door to investment in clean energy technologies and create jobs for future generations, and this week’s announcement by the Government, Greens and independents on a way forward is an important step towards that.
The agreement sends a positive signal to industry and workers that the Gillard Government is committed to tackling carbon pollution and the major economic reform of our generation, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
Unions will now have a clearer framework in which to work to ensure that there is a just transition to a low-carbon economy, with compensation for low-income households and support for jobs and communities in making the adjustment.
Ms Kearney said the initial outline announced by the Prime Minister suggests that the Government understands the success of reducing pollution relies heavily on setting a price on carbon alongside complimentary measures such as investment in innovative technology and industry.
“The decision to include an interim fixed price will allow for a transitional period to support industries and business adapt to a cleaner and more energy efficient approach,” Ms Kearney said.
However, it is essential that Australia transition to a cap-and-trade to achieve pollution reduction commitments while supporting long-term structural changes in the Australian economy.
“It’s important that Australia plays a fundamental global role on this issue while also ensuring that families and communities are not disadvantaged in the process”.
“There are environmental, social and economic factors to consider and we don’t believe that market measures alone will be sufficient in achieving all the changes necessary,” Ms Kearney said.
A price on pollution is vital to open the door to investment in clean energy technologies and create jobs for future generations, and this week’s announcement by the Government, Greens and independents on a way forward is an important step towards that.
The agreement sends a positive signal to industry and workers that the Gillard Government is committed to tackling carbon pollution and the major economic reform of our generation, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
Unions will now have a clearer framework in which to work to ensure that there is a just transition to a low-carbon economy, with compensation for low-income households and support for jobs and communities in making the adjustment.
Ms Kearney said the initial outline announced by the Prime Minister suggests that the Government understands the success of reducing pollution relies heavily on setting a price on carbon alongside complimentary measures such as investment in innovative technology and industry.
“The decision to include an interim fixed price will allow for a transitional period to support industries and business adapt to a cleaner and more energy efficient approach,” Ms Kearney said.
However, it is essential that Australia transition to a cap-and-trade to achieve pollution reduction commitments while supporting long-term structural changes in the Australian economy.
“It’s important that Australia plays a fundamental global role on this issue while also ensuring that families and communities are not disadvantaged in the process”.
“There are environmental, social and economic factors to consider and we don’t believe that market measures alone will be sufficient in achieving all the changes necessary,” Ms Kearney said.
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Friday, February 25, 2011
Unions and Indigenous Australians partnership
ACTU: 17 Feb 2011
Unions announced a new partnership with Indigenous Australians to campaign to improve the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through decent jobs and sustainable economic development.
Drawing on the tradition of the Aboriginal pastoral workers who walked off the Wave Hill Station in 1966 in protest at their poor working conditions and treatment, the ACTU pledges to work hand-in-hand with indigenous Australians to advocate for better social and economic opportunities.
“Australian unions have always stood by our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” said ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence, who opened the ACTU Indigenous Conference in Darwin. “We stood with Indigenous workers in the Wave Hill Station walk out; fighting for land rights, and stolen wages.
“But it is clear that Indigenous Australians have been left behind by the strong growth of the Australian economy over the past decade, so today we are announcing a greater emphasis and focus of the union movement on what is happening in Indigenous communities now.
“While unions have been able to achieve significant gains for members and communities though bargaining and community campaigning, thousands of Indigenous workers remain without basic rights and are usually employed in the most vulnerable and insecure types of work.
“Drawing on union principles of justice, rights for all workers, and equality, the ACTU is committed to the development of an effective partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to redress economic and social disadvantage, particularly in relation to employment.”
Mr Lawrence will today present a report on a delegation of Australian union officials that visited central Australia in November last year to observe first-hand the Northern Territory Emergency Response (“the Intervention”).
The delegation has identified shortcomings in self-determination, empowerment and representation in the Intervention. The union delegation was also told about the failures of the Community Development Employment Program, which has further entrenched Aboriginal people in economic dependency, along with the lack of opportunities for formal employment and training.
The three-day ACTU Indigenous Conference discussed an action plan for how to deal with the Intervention, for employment and for social justice.
“The courage and commitment of Gurundji people who led the walk-off at Wave Hill Station in 1966 in pursuit of equal wages and treatment must not be forgotten,” Mr Lawrence said.
“This was a pivotal moment in not only the assertion of indigenous rights, including self-determination, but in Australian workers’ rights. We have a responsibility to carry on their work, so that all Indigenous Australians experience the opportunities a First World country provides. As always, the pathway to economic development is through decent employment and workplace rights.”
Unions announced a new partnership with Indigenous Australians to campaign to improve the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through decent jobs and sustainable economic development.
Drawing on the tradition of the Aboriginal pastoral workers who walked off the Wave Hill Station in 1966 in protest at their poor working conditions and treatment, the ACTU pledges to work hand-in-hand with indigenous Australians to advocate for better social and economic opportunities.
“Australian unions have always stood by our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” said ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence, who opened the ACTU Indigenous Conference in Darwin. “We stood with Indigenous workers in the Wave Hill Station walk out; fighting for land rights, and stolen wages.
“But it is clear that Indigenous Australians have been left behind by the strong growth of the Australian economy over the past decade, so today we are announcing a greater emphasis and focus of the union movement on what is happening in Indigenous communities now.
“While unions have been able to achieve significant gains for members and communities though bargaining and community campaigning, thousands of Indigenous workers remain without basic rights and are usually employed in the most vulnerable and insecure types of work.
“Drawing on union principles of justice, rights for all workers, and equality, the ACTU is committed to the development of an effective partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to redress economic and social disadvantage, particularly in relation to employment.”
Mr Lawrence will today present a report on a delegation of Australian union officials that visited central Australia in November last year to observe first-hand the Northern Territory Emergency Response (“the Intervention”).
The delegation has identified shortcomings in self-determination, empowerment and representation in the Intervention. The union delegation was also told about the failures of the Community Development Employment Program, which has further entrenched Aboriginal people in economic dependency, along with the lack of opportunities for formal employment and training.
The three-day ACTU Indigenous Conference discussed an action plan for how to deal with the Intervention, for employment and for social justice.
“The courage and commitment of Gurundji people who led the walk-off at Wave Hill Station in 1966 in pursuit of equal wages and treatment must not be forgotten,” Mr Lawrence said.
“This was a pivotal moment in not only the assertion of indigenous rights, including self-determination, but in Australian workers’ rights. We have a responsibility to carry on their work, so that all Indigenous Australians experience the opportunities a First World country provides. As always, the pathway to economic development is through decent employment and workplace rights.”
Climate change: Carbon pricing agreement
Greens Senator Christine Milne says:
This will be good for the community who face out-of-control energy price rises, it will stimulate the economy, create jobs and, of course, help protect the climate which sustains us all.
However, a carbon price on its own is not going to be enough to drive real change and job-creating innovation. We will need to encourage clean alternatives with supportive policies.
Thank you so much for your support and I look forward to working with you in the coming months to make sure we get the best possible climate action.
This is a big step forward for climate action in Australia. For the first time, everybody in Australia will have a clear signal that the old, polluting ways will have to change and a new, exciting era is set to begin.
MPCCC Carbon Price Mechanism
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