Keeping working Australians in the debate about a green future and secure jobs

The Rudd Government’s commitment to meet their Climate Change timetable is admirable, Paul Howes, AWU National Secretary, said today.

" But the Federal Government should also be prepared to drag out this timetable, if necessary, to ensure that there aren't any errors in the design of their emissions trading system.

" Our people are not skeptics on the issue of Climate Change.

" You can't argue against the scientific evidence that the planet is warming dangerously and it is because of us humans. I do believe that climate change is a real and present danger," Paul Howes said.

• Be part of the AWU Climate Change campaign - standing up for resource and energy industry workers; their jobs and their families - join the AWU today

AWU backs ACTU Global Climate Change March Executive statement

" We need to design a new economic and environmental regime which will help industries change their practices, clean up their act and bring in new technologies such as carbon capture and storage ."

" If we do that then decent, well-paid, secure jobs will not be lost to Australia - and taken off-shore to countries like China, India and Brazil whose pollution levels are far-far higher than we have here in Australia.

"Until we have the economies of China, India and Brazil into a global emissions trading scheme I think it's important that we give adequate compensation to Australian industries," Paul Howes said.

Avoid Climate Change policies which works against Australia - do nothing to solve environmental crisis

" For every tonne of alumina made here in Australia we have 50 per cent less emissions than the same tonne made in China. So if this industry shifts to China because of Climate Change imposts we only worsen global pollution!

" We don't want the Rudd Government inadvertently creating reverse trade barriers - which hurt us, which works against our country but does nothing to improve the environmental crisis we all face.

AWU wants to be on the front foot in this debate

" I just believe that it's important that the Australian Workers' Union is on the front foot in this national debate, ensuring that the Government is aware of the significant ramifications to Australian industry if we get our plans wrong. l I think it's vital that the union stands up for job security for its members.

" If we ensure that adequate levels of compensation and recognition are given to industries so that they are given the appropriate amount of time to change their practices, to clean up their act, to look at the development of technologies such as carbon capture and storage, then no job need be lost.

" I want to work closely with the Government in ensuring that we get it right, and that's what I'm trying to do.

I think that the Government is receptive to the issues that we are raising and I think it's important that the Australian community is aware of the issues that we're raising.

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