Taxes and unemployment would follow from rushed transition to renewables in Port City, says Barnaby Joyce

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce believes voters will see straight through Labor’s rhetoric on energy policy, but Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has categorically denied forming a coalition government with the Greens. Details here.

The transition to renewables would translate to unemployment, Barnaby Joyce says, as he claims people in Central Queensland know the difference between Labor’s rhetoric and reality.

Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce was in Gladstone this week speaking in support of traditional energy and the Coalition’s plans to fund major regional infrastructure projects in the region ahead of the impending election.

Mr Joyce said the Labor Party viewed the world different to the Coalition and that he supported capitalising on skyrocketing earnings from coal exports to fund infrastructure and defence spending which would make Australia stronger sooner.

Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, Colin Boyce, and Ken O'Dowd at Gladstone's Marine Operations Terminal on Friday. Picture: Nilsson Jones

“We see the world from Central Queensland while Labor and the Greens see it from Central Sydney,” Mr Joyce said.

“The view from Sydney is that people from this industry (coal), will need to find another job, well, where is that job?” he said.

“People get really worried when they hear transition, because they translate it to what it means to them, which is unemployment because there is no actual jobs.”

Mr Joyce was in Gladstone on Friday to speak alongside LNP Flynn candidate, Colin Boyce, in support of coal and will attend a sod turning at the Olive Downs coal mine, near Moranbah.

His warnings come despite YouGov polling, commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation, revealed 61 per cent of people in Flynn were positive about the economic benefits of climate action.

Aerial view of coal mounds ready for export in Gladstone, Queensland. Picture: NewsCorp

He also said a change of government would see the introduction of new taxes in Central Queensland.

“Guess where the businesses are that are going to get a new tax, right here and in North Queensland, not in Sydney,” he said.

Labor candidate for Flynn and Gladstone Mayor, Matt Burnett, had previously said he backed coal workers and their jobs.

A Labor spokeswoman responded to this publication’s questions and said Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese had categorically denied forming a coalition government with the Greens.

“Independent modelling shows Labor’s Powering Australia plan will create over 600,000 new jobs, with five out of six of them being in regional Australia,” the spokeswoman said.

“This is an opportunity for Central Qld to create more jobs in more industries,” she said.

Labor Leader Anthony Albanese & Flynn candidate Matt Burnett standing in front of Gladstone’s iconic harbour. Picture: NewsCorp

It comes as Rio Tinto announced it had 100 per cent of the capacity and governance of Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) until further notice, following Australian Government sanctions.

A Rio Tinto spokesman said Rio Tinto would manage all processes out of the Gladstone site, which is 20 per cent owned by Russian aluminium giant, Rusal.

“Our focus remains on ensuring the continued safe operation of QAL, as a significant employer and contributor to the local Gladstone and Queensland economies,” the spokesman said.

The Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL), alumina refinery in Gladstone will now be 100% managed by Rio Tinto in response to Australian Government sanctions on Russia-backed companies. Picture: Dan Peled

The move comes more than a month after The Observer covered the potential issues with Russian ownership at the site amid increased tensions in Ukraine before the Russian invasion.

Originally published as Taxes and unemployment would follow from rushed transition to renewables in Port City, says Barnaby Joyce