Union boss says energy transition authority needed ahead of jobs summit

The ACTU is demanding Anthony Albanese establish an energy transition authority for workers as the country shifts away from high-emitting industries.

ACTU President Michele O'Neil. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

Australia’s peak union body says Anthony Albanese’s government must quickly stand up a national energy transition authority to help redeploy workers in high carbon emitting industries and secure them work opportunities in new green sectors.

The Australian Council of Trade Union’s key demand is one of six issued to the federal government ahead of its jobs summit next month, saying under the Coalition the country’s transition to clean energy industries has been “chaotic” in a report released on Sunday.

But despite nearly a decade of failure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lay out a strategy for business to transition to a net-zero economy, according to the report, ACTU president Michele O’Neil said Australia could still seize the opportunity to become an “energy super power”.

“A national energy transition authority will ensure that we don’t have to choose between climate action and good, secure jobs,” she said. “Through support for skills and training, redeployment, and secure jobs in new industries we can ensure no worker or region is left behind.

“We look forward to working with government, industry and civil society at the jobs summit and beyond to deliver this.”

The report says workers and communities have been left devastated after 12 coal fired power stations closed in the past decade “without adequate supports in place”. It argues workers have been left out of Australia’s climate policy debate due to the Coalition’s “shortsighted hostility” towards unions.

A transition authority that is properly resourced would help manage an “orderly and fair” transition for workers with support for redeployment, skills and training, and secure job opportunities.

“Due to this lack of planning, workers and affected communities have not received adequate support and are often left in the dark as to the future of their industries, livelihoods and community life.”

The report says employees on the frontline of climate transition should be guaranteed they will not face forced redundancies and receive training and reskilling programs.

Renewable exports could generate up to 395,000 jobs and $89bn by 2040 and well-paid and secure jobs should be negotiated for workers as they move into green industries – including wind and solar – the report says.

The ACTU commended the government on its Climate Change Bill, which committed $20bn to rewire the nation and legislate emission reduction targets.