Flynn jobs and industry hardest hit by zero target: O’Dowd

Mr O’Dowd said an Institute of Public Affairs report reveals the nation would lose 653,000 jobs under zero emissions.

Federal Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd at Northern Oil's Yarwun oil recycling plant. Picture: Rodney Stevens

The Federal Government’s suggestions of a net zero emissions target by 2050 will have a significant impact on employment and industry in the Flynn electorate, says MP Ken O’Dowd.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison hinted at a zero net emissions target “as soon as possible” and “preferably by 2050” in a National Press Club address this month.

Media commentators and members of the opposition claim the Prime Minister is reluctant to enter into a ‘iron clad’ zero net emissions agreement by 2050, for fear of dividing the coalition by upsetting the Nationals.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison drinks a beer during a meet and greet event at Auckland House, Gladstone, in January.

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Mr O’Dowd, a National Party member, said on Tuesday a zero net emissions target by 2050 would ‘come at a great cost to his electorate’.

He said according to a report conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs IPA, the Flynn electorate would be hardest hit by job losses if a target of achieving net zero carbon emissions was adopted.

The IPA report released last week states coal miners, farmers, and steel and iron workers will constitute the majority of the 653,000 jobs lost if Australia officially adopts the 2050 target.

“Net zero emissions means net zero jobs,” said IPA director of research Daniel Wild in the report.

“Job losses of this scale will unleash a humanitarian and social disaster which could dwarf the impact of the coronavirus lockdowns.”

The report reveals 306,200 agricultural sector jobs would be lost, plus 74,100 manufacturing jobs, 64,100 electrical supply jobs and 62,000 jobs in coal mining.

Mr O’Dowd said the thought of classifying the waste produced by animals as ‘industrial waste’ was ludicrous.

“The agricultural industry employs 306,200 people that are set to lose their job with a net zero emissions target,” Mr O’Dowd said.

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Ken O'Dowd and Prime Minister Scott Morrison address a retiree forum at The Oaks Grand Pub in Gladstone.

“During the last federal election my constituents delivered me a clear message: they, along with other Australians, care about their livelihoods.

“They are not willing to risk losing their jobs just in search of an economically and socially devastating emissions reduction policy.”

Mr O’Dowd said the Liberal and Nationals Government was on track to meet and beat its 2030 target.

He said emissions had fallen faster than many other countries, and significantly faster than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) or G20 averages.

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