Category: Australian News

AGL’s announcement today that it will be shutting the Loy Yang A power station in the Latrobe Valley nearly a decade earlier than planned adds to the growing pressure on the government to establish a National Energy Transition Authority, the Greens say.

Greens spokesperson on Industry, Transition and Regional Development, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, introduced the party’s National Energy Transition Authority Bill to parliament on Tuesday. The bill has been referred to the Senate Economics Committee for inquiry with a reporting date of March 14, 2023.

Senator Allman-Payne will meet with stakeholders and hold a community consultation in the Latrobe Valley on Wednesday next week.

Greens spokesperson on Industry, Transition and Regional Development, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“Today’s announcement by AGL that it’s bringing forward the closure of the Loy Yang A power station is great news for the climate and for our chances of keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

“But we can’t afford to let this inevitable transition to a zero emissions economy happen in a haphazard way. Without a national body to plan and coordinate our shift to renewable energy the workers and communities who have for generations relied on the jobs and investment the coal industry has provided will be left behind.

“Decisions to rapidly bring forward the closure of coal fired power plants, however welcome, should not be announced via a company’s media release to the ASX. It should be a planned and coordinated process that allows local workers control.

“The transition to renewables represents a once-in-a-generation nation-building opportunity that can create tens of thousands of green, secure jobs, open up new export markets and reinvigorate regional Australia.

“We know from similar energy transition bodies in Europe that if you plan the transition, workers can move into new well-paid jobs, be redeployed through industry-wide pooling or benefit from early retirement.

“There is wide support among workers, unions and businesses for a transition authority and during the Senate inquiry I look forward to hearing directly from communities and Traditional Owners about what they need to make the transition to a zero emissions economy.

“With Labor’s support we can make a National Energy Transition Authority a reality during the life of this parliament. Let’s get it done.”

Analysis by the Parliamentary Library estimates that renters across Australia would be $7.1 billion better off if rents had been frozen nationwide for the past 12 months. With rents increasing by 14% nationwide, the average renter is paying $3,151 more for their home than last year. 

The Greens recently called on the Federal Government to intervene in the housing crisis by freezing rents nationwide for two years, followed by ongoing rent caps and an end to no grounds evictions, minimum standards for rental properties and tenant rights to make minor improvements to the home.

Over the last 12 months, rents have grown seven times faster than wages in capital cities,  putting millions of Australians into severe rental stress and seeing rents hit record highs in 85% of Australian suburbs.

Max Chandler-Mather MP, Greens spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness said:

“A rent freeze could put an extra $3000 in the pockets of the average Australian renter and provide real and immediate cost of living relief.“

“For families choosing between buying food and paying the rent, $3000 could mean the difference between eviction into homelessness and keeping a roof over their heads.” 

“Rents are out of control, millions of Australians are struggling to pay the rent, and families are facing living in tents and cars because they can’t afford record rent increases.” 

“When Australian renters have paid an extra $7 billion in rent over the last year alone, no wonder so many are struggling.”

“Along with a major and immediate investment in social housing, phasing out negative gearing and capital gains discounts, and a 2 year rent freeze, followed by ongoing rent caps will help stop this housing crisis boiling over into a national disaster.”

“If the government is serious about cost of living relief, if they’re serious about affordable housing, then it’s a no-brainer to freeze rent rises.

We are pleased to announce that the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), has accepted the advice of the Government to appoint the Honourable Justice Jayne Jagot as a Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Justice Jagot will commence on 17 October 2022 upon the retirement of the Honourable Justice Patrick Keane AC.

Justice Jagot is the 56th Justice of the High Court and the seventh woman appointed to the Court. This is the first time since Federation that a majority of Justices on the High Court will be women.

Justice Jagot is regarded as outstanding lawyer and an eminent judge. She is currently serving as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

The Government congratulates Justice Jagot on her well-deserved appointment. It is a role that she will fill with distinction.

The Government consulted extensively in the lead up to this decision, including with all state and territory Attorneys-General, the Shadow Attorney-General, the heads of the Federal Courts and state and territory Supreme Courts, state and territory Bar associations and law societies, National Legal Aid, Australian Women Lawyers, the National Association of Community Legal Centres and deans of law schools.

Throughout this consultation, Justice Jagot’s legal acumen and sterling reputation on the Bench was noted.

The Government is grateful to all who provided nominations and assisted with its consideration of suitable candidates for this significant position.

We also take this opportunity to again thank Justice Keane for his nine years of distinguished service on the High Court and wish him well in his retirement.

A short biography of Justice Jagot follows.

Biography of Justice Jayne Jagot, Justice of the High Court of Australia

Current and previous positions:

• Judge, Federal Court of Australia
• Additional Judge, Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory
• Deputy President, Copyright Tribunal of Australia
• Judge, Land and Environment Court of NSW
• Barrister
• Partner, Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (Hons I), University of Sydney, 1990
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons I), Macquarie University, 1986

Australia has a housing affordability problem, with many Australians struggling to rent or buy a home, according to the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) released today.

“The NHHA is intended to improve access to affordable housing, but it is ineffective. It does not foster collaboration between governments or hold governments to account. It is a funding contract, not a blueprint for reform,” Commissioner Malcolm Roberts said.

“Over the life of the NHHA, housing affordability has deteriorated for many people, especially people renting in the private market. The median low-income renter spends over a third (36 per cent) of their income on rent. About 1 in 5 low-income households are left with less than $250 after paying their weekly rent.

“With the private market becoming less affordable, demand for homelessness services and social housing is rising.”

As governments develop a new intergovernmental agreement and a national plan, there is an opportunity to better target the $16 billion they spend on housing assistance.

“As a first step, the Commission is recommending that all housing assistance be brought under the next intergovernmental agreement (the NHHA covers just 10 per cent of government spending on direct housing assistance). This will help governments prioritise spending to the people in greatest need.

“A two-track approach is needed to ease the pressure on low-income renters — the capacity for low-income renters to pay for housing needs to be improved and constraints on new housing supply need to be removed.”

The $5.3 billion Commonwealth Rent Assistance program should be reviewed. There is a strong case to improve its adequacy and targeting. At the same time, State and Territory Governments should commit to targets for new housing supply and accelerate planning and other reforms.

“The safety net — homelessness services and social housing — should be improved. More support is needed for homelessness prevention and early intervention programs. As governments invest more in social housing, they should also test more flexible and timely ways to assist people,” Commissioner Romlie Mokak said.

“The Commission is recommending the new NHHA have a greater focus on coordinated policy action across jurisdictions, homelessness prevention and early intervention, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing.”

A full copy of In Need of Repair: The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement is available from the Commission’s website: www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/housing-homelessness/report

Key facts: Key points

Australia has a housing affordability problem. Australians, particularly those on low incomes, are spending more on housing than they used to. Many low-income private renter households spend a large share of their income on rent. Demand for social housing is rising. More people are seeking help for homelessness and more are being turned away. Home ownership rates are falling, particularly for young Australians.

The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement — intended to improve access to affordable, safe and sustainable housing — is ineffective. It does not foster collaboration between governments or hold governments to account. It is a funding contract, not a blueprint for reform.

The next intergovernmental Agreement (and the proposed National Housing and Homelessness Plan) is an opportunity for governments to work together on a national reform agenda to make housing more affordable. Rising rents and low vacancy rates are placing private renters under pressure, which increases demand for government-funded housing and homelessness services.

The focus of the next Agreement should be on improving the affordability of the private rental market and the targeting of housing assistance. Improving the capacity of low‑income renters to pay for housing and removing constraints on new housing supply are key to making housing more affordable.

• The Australian Government should review Commonwealth Rent Assistance as a priority. There is a strong case for changes to improve its adequacy and targeting.

• State and Territory Governments should commit to firm targets for new housing supply, facilitated by planning reforms and better co-ordination of infrastructure.

• The $16 billion governments spend each year on direct housing assistance could achieve more if it was better targeted to people in greatest need. The nearly $3 billion given to first home buyers works against improving affordability. This money would be better spent preventing homelessness.

• Social housing is an important part of the affordable housing solution, but it has a number of shortcomings. Governments should trial a housing assistance model that provides equivalent assistance to people in need regardless of whether they live in public, community or privately‑owned housing. It should also test innovative ways to help people at risk of homelessness sustain tenancies in the private market and assist social housing tenants move to the private rental market.

These changes will help more low‑income households in the private rental market and reduce the number of people who experience homelessness or need social housing.

The next Agreement can support these changes by including:

• principles to guide how housing assistance should be provided and assistance dollars spent

• a broader scope, covering all forms of direct housing assistance

• achievable and measurable targets focused on outcomes for people

• a new performance monitoring framework with annual reporting on outcomes and performance indicators

• effective governance, including oversight by a ministerial council and channels for key stakeholders to be involved in the design and delivery of major programs

• a new approach to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing and homelessness services

• a greater focus on building the evidence base essential for good policy and accountability.

In the wake of Roe v Wade, the Australian Greens will today establish a Senate inquiry into abortion access in Australia. 

This inquiry will identify what can be done federally to alleviate the physical and financial barriers to accessing contraceptives, sexual and reproductive healthcare and termination services, as well as options to improve the quality and availability services, particularly in regional and remote Australia.

Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Abortion remains expensive and inaccessible for many, especially those who already face massive healthcare barriers, including First Nations people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“In the wake of Roe v Wade, the federal government should look at what it can do to eliminate Australia’s barriers to accessible and affordable abortion.

“Access to safe, legal abortion remains a postcode lottery in Australia, with different rules, costs and availability depending on where you live. Some people are having to travel for hours at significant expense to access this basic healthcare service.

“In remote and regional areas, like Townsville and Mackay, many women are forced to travel long distances, at significant expense, to access to sexual and reproductive health services including long-acting contraception, medical and surgical abortions and counselling.

“The Greens support calls for national consistency on abortion laws, provided they are best practice, which would be ascertained through the inquiry.

“The Greens will resist any attempt in Australia to wind back reproductive rights. And we’ll continue to work to ensure people have access to legal, free and safe pregnancy termination services and a full range of contraception options, including unbiased counselling, no matter where they live.

“The impacts of poor sexual health literacy, lack of access to contraceptives and quality reproductive healthcare are clear. This inquiry will provide an invaluable insight into the barriers people are facing and how the federal government can intervene to fix them.”

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, spokesperson for Health said:

“Improper access to sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion, is a serious healthcare issue and must be addressed as such.

“Too often women, trans, and non-binary folks, are left behind by our state and federal governments when it comes to healthcare. 

“The Australian Greens will continue to demand better support and care for those who need any reproductive services whenever, wherever, and however they want to access it.

“This inquiry would champion every single person’s human right to accessing the services and care that they need in a timely, accurate, and culturally appropriate manner.”

Australian Greens Social Services spokesperson Senator Janet Rice has welcomed the end of the cashless debit card after the bill passed tonight. 

Senator Rice said: 

“Today is a big day for the more than 12,000 people who will be able to exit compulsory income management. 

“Anyone living in Ceduna SA , the Goldfields and East Kimberley regions of WA and the Bundaberg- Hervey Bay region of Queensland who has been on the CDC will finally be able to control their own finances again. 

“They’ll be able to buy clothes for their kids at second hand stores; pay cash for fruit and veg at the markets and buy goods online rather than having most of their income quarantined on a debit card.  

“The CDC has been extremely harmful to thousands of people and it’s great to see the back of it.

“We are pleased the government agreed to our amendment for the Minister to report on progress on a transition plan in each of the four communities, outlining the extra services and supports that will be available to these communities after the cashless debit card is abolished.

“The Greens welcome the end of the Cashless Debit Card today but the fight isn’t over.

“Across Australia, more than twenty thousand people are still trapped on compulsory income management, which we know is punitive, harmful and completely ineffective.

“The Greens welcome the passing of this bill, but want to see all forms of compulsory income management abolished for good.

“The government needs to address the underlying structural factors that contribute to disadvantage beyond CDC. We call on the government to listen to communities for solutions rather than trying to control them.”

The Greens understand that the Senate will today support our motion requiring Reserve Bank governor Dr Philip Lowe to appear at Senate Estimates.

“Independence does not mean a lack of accountability,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“There are serious questions for Dr Lowe.” 

“Dr Lowe induced people into taking on massive amounts of debt by saying interest rates wouldn’t go up until wages had increased substantially and this was unlikely to be until 2024.”

“He needs to explain why interest rates are being jacked up without the preconditions that he set being met.”

“He also needs to explain how increasing interest rates is going to conquer inflation that is being driven by supply shocks and corporate profiteering.”

“The consequences of five consecutive rate rises have been stark – renters, mortgage holders and small business owners are all being smashed trying to fix a problem they did not cause.”

“It’s time for Dr Lowe to face the music.”

The Greens motion, which requires the Economics Legislation Committee to invite Dr Lowe to appear at Senate Estimates on November 9, will be voted on this afternoon.

The first meetings of the Referendum Working Group and the Referendum Engagement Group will be held in Canberra today.

The groups will work with Government on the next steps to a referendum in this term of Parliament to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.

The Referendum Working Group, co-chaired by Minister Linda Burney and Special Envoy Patrick Dodson, includes a broad cross-section of representatives from First Nations communities across Australia.

They will provide advice to the Government on how best to ensure a successful Referendum and focus on the key questions that need to be considered in the coming months, including:

1. The timing to conduct a successful referendum;
2. Refining the proposed constitutional amendment and question;
3. The information on the Voice necessary for a successful referendum

A second meeting will be held with the Referendum Engagement Group, which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives from the across the country, including: land councils, local governments and community controlled organisations.

They will provide advice about building community understanding, awareness and support for the referendum.

Today’s meetings follow the Prime Minister’s landmark speech at the Garma Festival in north east Arnhem Land, where he released the possible wording of the proposed constitutional amendment and question on the Voice to be put to the Australian people.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“The constitution is our nation’s birth certificate. 

“It should be a source of pride that all Australians share this continent with Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples, the oldest continuous civilisation on earth. 

“This should be recognised with a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.”

Minister Linda Burney said:

“This is an important next step on the road to the referendum for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

“The work of the Referendum Working Group and the Referendum Engagement Group will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views are front and centre in the decision making leading up to the Referendum.

“They will provide us with advice about how to harness the goodwill in the Australian community on this important nation building project.

Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus said:

 “This Uluru Statement is an extraordinary act of generosity, friendship and reconciliation.

“The Referendum Working Group will work closely in partnership with government on the road forward.

Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Senator Patrick Dodson said:

“This Group is a clear demonstration of our strong commitment to go out and consult as we work to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.

We’ve got a clear plan to get us from Garma to referendum day.

The first step on that road is to listen to Indigenous Australians on how best to ensure we deliver a successful referendum.”

REFERENDUM WORKING GROUP

Mr Dale Agius	SA Commissioner for First Nations Voice
Ms Pat Anderson AO	Co-chair of Uluru Dialogue
Ms Geraldine Atkinson	Co-chair, First People’s Assembly of Victoria Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups
Professor Tom Calma AO	Co-chair, Indigenous Voice Co-design groups Chancellor, University of Canberra Co-chair, Reconciliation Australia
Professor Megan Davis	Co-chair of Uluru Dialogue Pro-Vice Chancellor Indigenous at UNSW
Mr Rodney Dillon	Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Community Alliance
Mr Sean Gordon	Managing Director, Gingee Group Councillor, University of Newcastle
Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA	Co-chair, QLD Treaty Advancement Committee Co-chair, National Apology Foundation
Professor Dr Marcia Langton AO	Co-chair, Indigenous Voice Co-design groups Associate Provost, University of Melbourne
Mr Thomas Mayor	From the Heart
Mr Tony McAvoy SC	NT Treaty Commissioner Barrister
June Oscar AO (ex officio)	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Mr Dean Parkin	From the Heart
Mr Noel Pearson	Founder of Cape York Institute From the Heart Advisory Group Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups
Ms Sally Scales	Uluru Dialogue member APY Artist
Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM	Chairperson, Torres Strait Regional Authority
Mr Marcus Stewart	Co-chair, First People’s Assembly of Victoria Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups
Ms Pat Turner AM	Convenor of Coalition of Peaks Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups CEO of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
The Hon Ken Wyatt AM	Former Minister for Indigenous Australians
Professor Peter Yu AM	Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups Vice President, First Nations at ANU
Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM	Chairman, Yothu Yindi Foundation

REFERENDUM ENGAGEMENT GROUP

Membership of the Referendum Engagement Group will include those on the Working Group and additional people including:

Mr Thomas Amagula	Deputy Chair, Anindilyakwa Land Council
Cr Ross Andrews	Mayor, Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Australian Local Government Association representative
Mr Nathan Appo	Institute of Urban Indigenous Health
Professor Muriel Bamblett AO	CEO, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Coalition of Peaks representative
Ms Jennifer Beale	Butucarbin Aboriginal Corporation
Professor Jack Beetson	Australian Centre for Agriculture & Law – University of New England
Mr Dameyon Bonson	Founder, Black Rainbow Living Well
Ms Wendy Brabham	Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative
Mr Paul Briggs OAM	Executive Chair, Kaiela Institute
Mr Gavin Brown	CEO PwC Indigenous Consulting
Mr Selwyn Button	Chair, The Lowitja Institute
Mr Nicholas Cameron	Chair, Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Communities Alliance
Ms Shirleen Campbell	Tangentyere Women’s Safety Group
Cr Danny Chapman	Chairperson, NSW Aboriginal Land Council
Ms Fiona Cornforth	CEO, Healing Foundation
Dr Josie Douglas	Executive Director of Policy, Central Land Council
Ms Katrina Fanning PSM	Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups
Mr Tyronne Garstone	CEO, Kimberley Land Council
Mr Mick Gooda	Co-chair, QLD Treaty Advancement Committee Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups
Mr Damian Griffis	CEO of First Peoples Disability Network Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups
Ms Tanya Hosch	Executive General Manager, Inclusion & Social Policy, AFL
Mr Paul House	Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups
Mr Gibson Farmer Illortaminni	Chairman, Tiwi Land Council
Ms Deborah Katona	Senior Manager Policy, Northern Land Council
Cr Esma Livermore	Deputy Mayor, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Australian Local Government Association representative
Mr Jamie Lowe	National Native Title Tribunal Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups
Dr Hannah McGlade	Curtin Law School
Mr Wayne Miller	Chair, Far West Community Leadership Group Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design groups
Cr Phillemon Mosby	Mayor, Torres Strait Island Regional Council Australian Local Government Association representative
Mr Kado Muir	Activist & Impact Entrepreneur at Dilji Social Anthropologist
Ms Karen Mundine	CEO, Reconciliation Australia
Ms Teela Reid	Uluru Dialogue Group University of Sydney
Cr Matthew Ryan	Mayor, West Arnhem Regional Council Australian Local Government Association representative
Mr Shane Sturgiss	BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation
Mr Ian Trust AO	National Chair, Empowered Communities Chairman, Wunan
Mr Les Turner	CEO, Central Land Council
Dr Tracy Westerman AM	Founding Director, Indigenous Psychological Services
Mr Richard Weston	Deputy Children’s Guardian for Aboriginal Children and Young People (NSW) Member of Indigenous Voice Co-design Groups
Mr Sammy Wilson	Traditional Owner, Uluru Former Chair, Central Land Council
Mr Scott Wilson	Lead Convenor of SA Aboriginal Community Controlled Network Coalition of Peaks representative
Professor Asmi Wood	Professor, ANU College of Law

Greens Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Peace and Nuclear Disarmament will accept IPAN’s petition and table it in the Australian Senate today. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

“I am proud to receive and table in the Senate Independent and Peaceful Australia Network’s petition which has been signed by 26,700 members of the community.”

“The petition represents the view of many in our community who want Australia to withdraw from the AUKUS agreement, and want Australia to stop being at the beck and call of the United State of America and their military ambitions. 

“The world is facing an unprecedented climate crisis and rapidly expanding wealth inequality. The solutions to these things will take global cooperation. The AUKUS pact escalates tensions in the Asia-Pacific and significantly increases the likelihood of nuclear arms proliferation among non-nuclear armed states. 

“Our community has broadly rejected AUKUS and no one wants nuclear submarines to be floating off the coast near Brisbane or near my hometown of Rockingham in WA.

“Instead of investing billions of dollars into submarines that no one needs or asked for, we must reallocate funding from the military to services our community actually needs; things like free dental care included under Medicare, properly funding the NDIS, or building more affordable and accessible homes.”

Annette Brownlie, Chairperson of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) said:

“Community opposition to the secret deal of AUKUS dropped on the Australian people one year ago, is evidenced by this petition being tabled today in the Senate by Senator Jordon Steele-John signed by 26,700 Australians.

“The large number of Australians who have signed these public calls for peace with priority being directed to healthcare not warfare is an indication of the depth of concern in the community about the defence and foreign policy directions of the Australian Government.

“The financial blowout for Australians in this era of war talk and preparations is absurd with costs of over $170B estimated for the nuclear-propelled submarines alone.

“Around the world, people are speaking up opposing the war preparation economy and we in Australia need to build the public voice for independent peacebuilding policies, an end to the AUKUS pact and calling on the current government to urgently sign the United Nations Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).”

The Greens have called on Labor to support its bill to establish a National Energy Transition Authority, which was introduced in the Senate today by Gladstone-based Queensland Senator Penny Allman-Payne.

The National Energy Transition Authority Bill 2022 establishes a new independent public authority to guide Australia’s shift from an economy powered by polluting coal and gas to one powered by reliable, secure and low-cost renewable energy.

By providing national coordination, expert advice and funding, the National Energy Transition Authority will work with communities, workers, unions, energy companies and governments at all levels to plan the pipeline of clean energy projects, creating good, secure jobs and opening up new export markets while pushing down power prices for homes and businesses.

During negotiations on the Climate Change Bill the government agreed to consider the Greens’ proposal for a transition authority, a body that has the support of coal and gas workers and communities, unions, climate and energy experts, businesses and rank and file Labor members.

From next week Senator Allman-Payne will host a series of roundtables and public forums in the Latrobe Valley, Hunter region and Gladstone to discuss the bill with stakeholders and community members.

Greens spokesperson for Industry, Transition and Regional Development, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“The climate crisis is happening before our eyes. In the past few months we’ve seen record flooding on Australia’s east coast; apocalyptic fires throughout Europe; and a third of the land mass of Pakistan submerged by torrential rains and fast-melting Himalayan glaciers.

“The biggest contributor to the climate crisis is the extraction and burning of coal and gas, which is why the IPCC, the International Energy Agency, climate scientists and environmental groups all say we must open no more coal and gas projects.

“To keep global heating below 1.5 degrees we also have to phase out existing coal and gas and transition rapidly to a zero emissions economy – and the good news is that this is already starting to happen. The global market for coal is drying up and renewable energy is taking off across the country.

“But what’s missing is a plan for a fair and equitable transition that ensures we are able to rapidly and responsibly exit coal and gas while securing the futures of the workers and communities who are at risk of being left behind.

“We know from similar energy transition bodies in Europe that if you plan the transition, workers can move into new well-paid jobs, be redeployed through industry-wide pooling or benefit from early retirement. But it needs government leadership.

“The only thing standing in the way of the creation of a National Energy Transition Authority is the Labor Party. Labor has said they will consider the Greens’ proposal, but we think they should listen to what workers, unions, businesses and their own members are saying and commit to backing our bill.

“If the government and Greens are able to work together to make this authority a reality during the life of this parliament, we will blunt the Coalition’s climate scare campaigns and render them even more irrelevant than they already are, while securing the futures of tens of thousands of workers across the country.”

About the bill:

The core functions of the NETA are:

• to support communities and workers affected by the closure of coal and gas extraction and power generation to adapt, including by helping to attract new public and private investment in job-creating industries and social infrastructure to affected areas, and ensuring ongoing equivalent employment or social services are provided;
• working with employers in relevant industries to encourage workforce pooling, to enable workers to shift between employers where skills are transferable; and
• planning with workers and relevant agencies to assist workers nearing retirement age to transition to a voluntary, financially secure retirement.

The Authority will draw on a Diversifying Coal Communities Fund of $2.8 billion over 10 years, which will approve and fund local plans across the nation, developed by regionally based transition bodies in partnership with the Authority.

The NETA’s board will be composed of experts in energy, workplace planning and engineering, along with worker representatives, and will be responsible for developing strategic plans to manage the energy transition. The Authority will be independent of government but guided by government policy and decision-making that may overlap with the Authority’s work.