In a paper released ahead of the Jobs Summit, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) calls on the Albanese Government to quickly establish a national Energy Transition authority tasked with guaranteeing that workers and their communities affected by the transition to net zero emissions are fully supported.
In a statement, ACTU said the Secure Jobs for a Safer Climate report demonstrates how Australia’s energy transition has been disorganised thus far. According to ACTU, twelve coal-fired power stations have shut down in the last ten years, often leaving behind devastated workers and communities.
With the right assistance, ACTU stated, those workers can be the first to gain from Australia becoming a superpower in renewable energy, generating 395,000 secure and well-paid jobs and $89 billion in revenue by 2040 from export industries alone.
ACTU President Michele O’Neil said it can be achieved by unions, government, business, and climate organisations working together.
“A national Energy Transition Authority will ensure that we don’t have to choose between climate action and good, secure jobs. Through support for skills and training, redevelopment, and secure jobs in new industries we can ensure no worker or region is left behind,” O’Neil stated.
Aside from establishing a national Energy Transition, the report also recommends the Albanese Government to develop a national renewables strategy, establish a national disaster response capability, take a leading role in developing climate mitigation and adaptation policies and programs, ensure industries and households have access to reliable and affordable energy, and reach a net-zero emissions public service by 2030.
“We look forward to working with government, industry, and civil society at the Jobs and summit and beyond to deliver this,” O’Neil said.
