CFMEU seeks income help for workers hit by Labor’s RET

A mining union boss has amplified his call for income support for those left jobless by the shift to renewable energy.

Tony Maher, national president of the CFMEU, has amplified his warning to a ­future Labor government.

Mining union boss Tony Maher has amplified his warning to a ­future Labor government to fund income support for workers left jobless by the shift to renewable energy through a “dedicated agency”, or lose union backing for its energy package.

Bill Shorten yesterday attempted to flesh out his commitment to a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 in an eight-page fact sheet outlining “Labor’s ­strategy”.

However, the publication was silent on the details of a government agency proposed by the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union to give financial aid to workers moving to new industries, alluding to the need for “certainty for workers in existing generators” and “a plan for the ­orderly transition to renewables”.

“Only Labor will look after the workers and communities affected by the modernisation of our electricity generating system ... (and) develop structural adjustment strategies and investment for communities impacted by change in the sector.”

Mr Maher, the CFMEU ­national president, who has given the union’s heavily qualified support to the target, yesterday confirmed the agency was integral to Labor’s energy policy.

And he issued another severe warning to Labor, days after he first set down the union’s terms at the party’s national conference. “Make no mistake, if Labor in government doesn’t deliver for workers, we will wage a concerted campaign to get what has been promised,” Mr Maher wrote in an opinion piece for The Australian today.

“Labor’s plan for the electricity sector is an Australian first. It ­establishes a dedicated agency to manage any transition and oversee redeployment, retraining and income support.”

He said there would be “budget implications ... but it is the only way forward” and stressed the need for “credible” training for workers over “half-baked plans involving retraining for new jobs”.

“With all due respect to the services industry, skilled and ­experienced miners do not want to work in your local coffee shop.”

Opposition environment spokesman Mark Butler said Labor would consult widely on setting up the new agency, but gave no details on the budget or the industries involved. “We will need to understand the plans of companies such (as) AGL for their plant in order to develop the right policy structure and priorities for the agency charged with the transition of workers,” Mr Butler’s spokeswoman said.

Australian Workers Union ­national secretary Scott McDine yesterday added his union’s support to the target as a “worthy goal”, but added that growth in ­renewables needed to be complemented by a “strong, competitive manufacturing sector”.

“I support Tony Maher’s call to ensure that workers in sectors impacted by this structural change to our energy mix are provided the best possible assistance,” Mr McDine said.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt demanded Mr Shorten ­reveal further details about his policy, saying the new agency was an admission the plan would cost jobs.

“Before the policy even comes into place, the union has had to argue for a massive fund for workers who lose their jobs,” Mr Hunt said.

But Mr Maher pinned future job losses on “mining giants (who) failed to act responsibly for the long term”. It has “nothing to do with the Renewable Energy Target or emissions trading schemes,” Mr Maher said.