2016-06-09
Qld Senator Larissa Waters joined Greens Dawson Candidate Jonathon Dykyj in Mackay on Wednesday to campaign on sustainable job creation in the Mackay region.
“With the coal industry in structural decline, we Greens are putting forward alternative opportunities for the thousands of Queensland workers who have been sacked by this dying industry,” Senator Waters said.
“The Greens’ plan to Renew Queensland builds at least 90% clean energy by 2030 would create $53 billion in investment in Queensland over the next 15 years, and 3,000-5,500 full time jobs in design and construction every single year from 2017, plus jobs in operation and maintenance.
“Recently the Greens announced another three policies designed to drive jobs in clean energy: $265 million in support for community-owned clean energy, $192 million to get solar on to every rooftop, and $3 billion to roll out battery storage for 1.2 million homes and 30,000 businesses.
“We have also announced a $1 billion Clean Energy Transition Fund to assist regional communities at the front line of this transition by training workers with construction, manufacturing and technology skills to work in clean energy and the jobs of the future.
“We have a plan in place to make sure that coal companies pay upfront for the cost of rehabilitating the land when their operations close, which guarantees local jobs in rehabilitation.
“Delivering a 21st century clean-energy economy will not only generate new, lasting jobs but will safeguard the existing Great Barrier Reef tourism jobs and agricultural jobs that coal mining and coal seam gas are threatening,” Senator Waters said.
Greens Candidate for Dawson Jonathon Dykyj said:
“The state Labor government and the federal Liberal government are threatening the livelihoods of the 69,000 people who rely on the Reef’s health for their job by approving massive coal mines to export through the Reef and further bleach its corals.
“Both Dawson and Capricornia have a great manufacturing and engineering base, and coupled with our fantastic university and TAFE, we are very well placed to take advantage of the opportunities that a clean energy economy presents us.
“Our precious water resources, which we rely on for food production and agricultural jobs, are being sucked up at alarming rates and threatened with contamination by big coal and gas companies.
“While the old parties always put the big mining companies first because they make massive donations to their election campaigns; we Greens will always stand up for our land, water and regional communities.
“We Greens have the courage and vision to protect jobs in Reef tourism and agriculture from the impacts of coal mining; secure mining rehabilitation jobs and generate tens of thousands of new clean-energy jobs in Queensland,” Mr Dykyj said.
Contacts:
Senator Waters (Monique Vandeleur) 0419 626 725
Jonathon Dykyj 0407 100 346
Greens’ policies to create jobs in clean energy:
- Renew Australia – 90% clean energy by 2030
- Renew Queensland ($53 billion in investment to 2030)
- $3 billion for battery storage
- Powering up community-owned renewable energy
- Solar on every rooftop
Greens’ policy to secure jobs in mine site rehabilitation: