Queensland Government urged to stop the PR spin and get moving on just transition
Halt all large-scale renewable energy project approvals until just transition locked in, ETU says
It’s time for action on just transition now, that’s the message Electrical Trades Union members are telling the State Government. The call comes following reports showing CS Energy will close the Callide B Power Station 10 years earlier than expected and other reports condemning the Federal Government’s failure to have an energy policy.
ETU state organiser Jason Young said. “With the whole world screaming for action on climate change this Queensland Government has a real chance to highlight how, when done collaboratively and in conjunction with a proper Just transition plan, we can transition to renewable forms of energy and it can be done with minimal impacts on regional jobs and towns.”
“Sadly, though this government is too busy chasing headlines on temporary jobs and solar farms. We urge them to end the spin and lock in just transition plans now.” He said.
A recent meeting of ETU Queensland and Northern Territory Generation Delegates called on the Queensland Government to put an immediate halt to ALL large-scale renewable projects that haven’t as yet commenced construction and to get the Just Transition Authority to present to government a full plan on how the network will adapt and what types of renewables are needed.
“Despite the Federal Government’s total ineptitude on energy policy, the State Government has an unprecedented opportunity to take a proactive leadership role in implementing a just transition for energy workers and their communities,” he said.
Young said there were two things that could be done right now by the State Government to futureproof communities who are in the firing line.
- Put a halt on all planned and proposed large scale renewable energy projects until the Just Transition Authority has the funding, mandate and resources to ensure workers and communities are futureproofed.
- Ensure that the Just Transition Authority works with public – owned generator CleanCo to identify the scale and scope of investment required going forward to provide a responsible, diversified public owned renewable energy sector that provides jobs and job security where they are needed.
“The Queensland Government unlike – others who have sold off their public assets to private profiteers – has a massive opportunity to show leadership in this space, but the time is now, we will not allow our members and their communities to be left in the dark when it comes to their jobs and the future of their towns. One thing is for sure, if nothing is done now there will not be a reliable, relatively cheap power network in Queensland within five years.” He said.
