Workers should not pay the price for the energy transition.
That’s why we’ve spent years pushing for national support for workers and communities who are affected by decarbonisation of our economy.
The Government has listened and established the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA), an independent statutory authority tasked with helping energy workers and regions benefit from the energy transition underway.
Setting up the NZEA is a strong first step in supporting regional communities. But to ensure the best outcomes, we need to make sure that workers’ voices are at the centre of the conversation. That’s why the Mining and Energy Union will take every opportunity to represent our members’ interests.
The design of the Net Zero Economy Authority was based on consultation with workers, unions and community representatives in energy regions already grappling with the changes caused by decarbonisation.
The NZEA is about to begin consultations at Eraring Power Station about support for workers affected by the site’s closure. We anticipate that many MEU members will engage with the NZEA over the decade ahead.
What does the NZEA do?
The NZEA does not determine closure dates or Australia’s emissions reduction trajectory. Its mission is to support affected workers and regions.
The NZEA helps:
- Workers with direct support for workers at closing power stations and
associated employers; and general assistance for workers in affected regions. - Communities by facilitating investment in new industries and economic
opportunities in identified regions, including the Hunter Valley. - Investors by working across all levels of government to co-ordinate and drive
investment in energy regions to diversify economies and create jobs.
A key way the NZEA provides structured support for power station workers directly impacted by closures is through developing a tailored and enforceable Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP).
The EIJP can put obligations on employers to provide a minimum level of support to affected workers, including training packages and redeployment opportunities where possible. The NZEA can also offer incentives to suitable employers in the region to
hire workers impacted by mine closures.
More general support for energy region workers, including those not covered by the Energy Industry Jobs Plan at a particular site, will be offered through Regional Workforce Transition Plans.
The MEU will engage with the NZEA by:
- Ensuring members’ voices and concerns are heard and fully represented
through all consultation opportunities including formal submissions. - Taking part in negotiations with employers to secure retraining and
redeployment pathways. - Participating in Fair Work Commission (FWC) hearings to ensure fair
outcomes and enforceable commitments.
Click here to access to the NZEA website.
Click here to download the NZEA legislation (PDF).
By being involved, we help shape the support you receive and hold the NZEA and employers accountable for delivering it.
