Energy workers job security in sight as Net Zero Economy Authority bill passes Senate
Coal and gas-fired energy workers and their communities are closer to being guaranteed support during Australia’s energy transition following the Australian Senate’s passing of the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024.
Workers in coal and gas-fired power plants with announced closure dates are assured of energy transition support measures like paid clean energy retraining, redeployment and financial assistance, following the Australian Senate’s passing of the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) Bill 2024.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Authority will work with communities, state, territory and local governments, regional bodies, unions, industry, investors, First Nations groups and others to help them take advantage of net zero economy opportunities.
“It will coordinate with them through this massive change and facilitate the jobs and benefits of the economic transformation that come with moving to net zero, whether it is retraining and redeploying workers in traditional energy industries or cutting red tape in clean energy investment,” Albanese said.
“These Bills represent our commitment to ensuring no region, no community and no worker is left behind. This is about building the industries and creating the jobs that underpin our future prosperity.”
The Authority will deliver economic development support to communities where closing coal and gas-fired plants are located, while driving new jobs and renewable investment projects in places like the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Gladstone in Queensland, Collie in Western Australia and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said it will be a one-stop shop for new industries coming to regional Australia to create jobs and investment and for the workers already there to prepare for the jobs for the future.
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Michele O’Neil said the benefits will support Australian energy workers and communities to continue powering the economy for generations to come.
The NZEA will oversee Australia’s transition to net zero by 2050, with the country also targeting a 43% reduction of emissions by 2030, relative to a 2005 baseline.
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