Call for action on workforce hit by energy transition

The union representing coal-fired power station workers and affected miners is calling on the Queensland Government to make good on transition funding as the State moves towards new energy sources. The CFMEU said the Palaszczuk Government had made a promise before the last election to ensure re-training and business development was pursued in relevant regional areas, but funding for these transitional arrangements was missing from this week’s Budget. While money had been allocated to renewable energy projects in other districts, no funding had been allocated to help those regional areas transitioning from the carbon economy, it said. CFMEU Mining and Energy Division Queensland vice-president Shane Brunker said transition funding needed to be allocated sooner rather than later. "Future mining, carbon-capture-and-storage, solar, wind or hydrogen projects must be planned such that Queensland’s thermal coal mining and power generation communities can recalibrate. Community resources can then be transferred accordingly in an orderly way," he said. “Districts most affected are the South-West, the bottom of the Bowen Basin, and towns like Biloela, Kingaroy, and Chinchilla. “These are the communities which mine thermal coal and run the power stations which keep the lights on in this state. “There has been plenty of money spent by power companies who are busy buying new renewable power – but what about the workers who supply the rest of their existing business? “Power generation companies can pivot away to new sources of power, but they have taken no responsibility in bringing their existing mining and energy generation workforce with them. “This is where the Queensland Government can step in and help these communities develop new industries before it’s too late." Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the government was committed to engaging with the workforce and their representatives on future plans for energy in Queensland, including through the $2 billion Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund announced by the Premier last week. "Diversifying our publicly-owned energy portfolio means companies like CS Energy and Stanwell can drive future energy and advanced manufacturing jobs, because electrolysers, solar panels, wind farm components and batteries can and should be made here in Queensland,” he said. Mr Brunker said that in the US, Joe Biden had put $2 trillion into transforming coal and power station workers away from coal fired generation, and Germany had put $500 million on the table to transform their industries. “We need our state government to show the same commitment," he said. "There are ample international examples of what happens when governments get this right and, sadly, also examples of when they get it wrong. We need to make sure Queensland falls in the right bucket."

Call for action on workforce hit by energy transition

Industry Queensland

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