A LABOR federal government would help displaced Lake Macquarie workers to transition to jobs in the renewable energy sector when ageing coal-fired power stations closed down.
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Member for Shortland and Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Pat Conroy, said the commitment to workers was the bedrock of Labor’s ‘Just Transition’ policy.
“Coal will continue to be part of our energy mix into the future, and coal mining will continue to be an important industry for the Australian economy,” Mr Conroy said.
But a number of ageing coal-fired power stations will reach the end of their technical life in the coming years.
Munmorah has already gone, and the Australian Energy Market Operator has projected that all four Hunter power stations will close in the next 17 years.
“It’s important that the workers impacted by these closures are given the opportunity of a new job in the power sector. Labor will implement a Just Transition policy to ensure that no worker will be left behind,” Mr Conroy said.
“It’s impossible for ageing coal-fired power stations to stay open forever. And it’s irresponsible to pretend otherwise. Australia must have a plan to help workers and communities respond to future closures.”
Mr Conroy said Labor would:
- ensure any closures were managed to “minimise community impacts”;
- make sure displaced workers were first in line for new jobs by making it mandatory for power stations and coal mines to participate in pooled redundancy schemes;
- take a proactive approach to economic diversification for impacted regions and communities; and
- train workers in the skills they need by committing $10 million to a Clean Energy Training Fund to train workers in clean energy industries, from solar and battery installers, to energy management system professionals.
“Renewables are good for power prices and good for the environment, but they are also good for jobs and the economy,” Mr Conroy said.
“Labor’s plan will ensure communities like ours impacted by inevitable coal-fired power station closures aren’t left behind in this transition.”