Mission Zero: Scott Morrison promises to protect coal mining jobs

Scott Morrison says his net zero deal is an evolution and not a revolution, vowing to protect those with mining jobs. Here’s how.

Coal miners will not be legislated “out of a job” under the Coalition’s plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 through “ultra low cost” solar and the rapid commercialisation of new technologies.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison formally commited Australia to the climate target on Tuesday, drawing a line under the intense debate and bitter disagreement within the federal government on net-zero.

“(The plan) will not shut down our coal and gas production or exports,” Mr Morrison said. “It will not increase electricity bills. It’s not a revolution, it’s a careful evolution.”

Mr Morrison said new modelling showed Australia was on track to reduce emissions by 30 to 35 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 – far above the government’s 26 to 28 per cent interim target.

The commitment also came with a guarantee every Australian would be $2000 better off in 2050 than they would have been if no climate action was taken, and the regions would gain an extra 62,000 jobs in the heavy industry and mining sectors.

Mr Morrison did not present the modelling behind the plan, instead saying it was to be released at a later date.

The $20bn technology roadmap to get to net zero emissions by 2050 relied on emerging technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture and storage becoming viable.

Regional NSW was central to the net-zero plan, with areas like the Hunter Valley identified as a site for “further indirect job opportunities” including manufacturing of wind turbines and hydrogen electrolysers.

The Hunter could also benefit from “value-adding manufacturing” like the production and export of green ammonia and hot briquette iron.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed his net zero plan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The construction boom associated with new renewable energy generation to support hydrogen production could support up to 13,000 new, permanent jobs by 2050 across Australia, especially in regional NSW and Queensland,” the government’s report said.

The PM said investing in technology would also enable Australia to help other major polluters reduce emissions, which was critical to limiting global temperature increase.

“If you really want to deal with this problem, it’s not good enough to tax people in developed countries and think that fixes the problem,” Mr Morrison said. “China’s emissions will keep going up. If we want to solve the problem, then you need scale, afforable, low emissions technologies.”

Under the plan a “significant proportion of gas” would still be needed by 2050, while all energy technology options remained on the table, including small-scale nuclear reactors.

It is expected electric cars would reach cost-parity with petrol vehicles by 2025, with the gradual take up potentially delivering a 15 per cent emissions cut.

Exports of critical minerals could be worth $85bn in 2050, up from $12bn, helping offset a 35 per cent decline in fossil fuel production.

Underground coal miner Mick Cowan, standing in front of the entrance to Centennial Coal's Mandalong mine which employs 400 people., Picture: David Swift

Mr Morrison would not reveal his deal with the Nationals for their support, but said the Productivity Commission would reviewthe impact of the transition every five years.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told parliament regional jobs would not be destroyed by government laws. “I am making absolutely certain that we don’t legislate the coal miners out of a job,” he said.

Hunter father Mick Cowan is a third generation coal miner and said he was concerned Australians outside the regions were too quick to dismiss the significance of the industry.

“People voice their opinion without really knowing what goes on and how the mining sector works in townships to create employment and boost the economy,” he said.

Mr Cowan said he hoped there would continue to be opportunities for young people in mining. “They can be trained up as electricians, fitters, surveyors and geotechs – there’s a lot of jobs in the mining sector that aren’t just going down to cut coal like I do,” he said.

Mr Cowan said he was “proud” to be a coal miner, and also considered himself a “bit of a rainbow warrior” who supported solar and good environmental management.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese demanded the release of modelling underpinning the government’s plan, which he said contained “nothing new”.

“The only policy detail we have seen up to this point is that (Nationals minister) Keith Pitt has been promoted to the cabinet,” he said.

Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering president Hugh Bradlow argued the government did not have to wait for new technologies to become viable, as many more “mature” technologies were available now.

“Low-carbon technologies like solar, wind and energy storage like batteries and pumped hydro, combined with electrification of transport and sustainably designed buildings are at our disposal,” he said.

Originally published as Mission Zero: Scott Morrison promises to protect coal mining jobs