July 30, 2024
MEU members in power stations are urging Senators to urgently pass laws to establish an Authority to support power station workers.
The Net Zero Economy Authority Bill is currently before the Senate, however it did not win the support of cross-benchers before Federal Parliament closed for the winter recess in early June.
The Authority will have the important twin goals of supporting workers displaced by power station closures into new jobs and co-ordinating investment to drive economic diversification in energy regions.
It will administer workforce plans for power stations facing closure, with the ability to create pooling arrangements with local employers to transfer displaced workers into new jobs.
The legislation puts obligations on the closing entities to provide certainty and support to employees during the closure process.
Bayswater Power Station delegate Glenn Kollner travelled to Canberra earlier this month, to meet with cross-bench Senators and urge them to pass the Bill.
“A lot of energy workers are anxious to have an authority to protect their communities and jobs; and help them transition into new jobs. We need that support. A lot of areas haven’t got the infrastructure in place to keep employing workers. We need to get this Authority established.”