It takes real character but it’s certainly possible to be stoic about the loss of others’ jobs
Adani undermined? Look to the future with confidence! The Australian, yesterday:
Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has warned her state’s coalmining communities to “re-skill” amid a global backlash against coal-fired electricity … Ms Trad, who leads Labor’s dominant Left faction, told parliament: “Markets are moving away from thermal coal, communities are moving away from thermal coal, nation states are moving away from thermal coal. What we need to do as a coal exporter is understand that and equip our communities with the best possible chance of re-skilling.”
It’s terrific to see the Labor Left adopt the can-do attitude usually the province of the Tories. Birmingham Mail, October 2, 2017:
A Tory MP has sparked a row after reportedly claiming unemployed young people should be prepared to “get on their bikes” and take a job on a farm working alongside “gorgeous EU women”. Craig Mackinlay, the MP for South Thanet, (said) British youngsters needed to show the same motivation as low-skilled workers from elsewhere in Europe, according to the Business Insider website. “I was struggling to think why wouldn’t a youngster from Glasgow without a job come down to the south to work for a farm for the summer with loads of gorgeous EU women working there?” he was quoted as saying. “What’s not to like? Get on your bike and find a job.”
Trouble is, miners see plenty of good jobs closer to home in Queensland. The Australian, February 18:
In a region plagued by high unemployment, the six proposed Galilee Basin coalmines would collectively provide 24,100 jobs — including 11,200 ongoing positions — and produce up to 165 million tonnes each year. Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan predicted the Galilee Basin’s development would be set back by at least a decade if the Adani coalmine were scuttled.
It’s a pickle for union-loving Labor. The Australian, February 18:
The CFMEU will demand Bill Shorten’s candidates across Queensland pledge support for the coalmining industry — including Adani’s controversial Carmichael mine — or face the wrath of union campaigners in their seats at the federal election … The move comes after Queensland’s Labor government stalled the proposed mine by outsourcing an 11th-hour review of the company’s plan to protect an endangered finch to a Melbourne academic attacked by the union as biased against coal. The CFMEU’s initiative puts the left-wing union on a collision course with the faction’s leader (Jackie Trad), whose inner-city seat is targeted by the Greens. CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland president Steve Smyth (said:) “If we have to, we will campaign against those MPs no matter which party they’re in. Even if they’re perched up in the little cosy suburbs somewhere in the southeast drinking their lattes.”
Looks like the Greens have been proactive on jobs, too. The Australian, February 18:
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch refused to put a time frame on her department’s assessment of Adani’s plan to protect the endangered black-throated finch … The Environment Department’s deputy director-general of regulation, Dean Ellwood, ordered the finch review on December 7, three days after he and Ms Enoch were lobbied by Stop Adani activists … LNP frontbencher Lachlan Millar raised alarms about the appointment of Greens candidates by the state Environment Department, each of whom have publicly campaigned against Adani’s project.