The Australian Government should leverage its position as financier of renewable energy projects to guarantee strong labour standards in new energy and manufacturing jobs, according to a new report by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work.
According to the report, ‘Strings Attached: How Industry Policy Could Strengthen Labour Standards Through Australia’s Renewable Energy Transition,’ The Australian Government should:
- Extend the Secure Australian Jobs Code beyond procurement to apply to all renewable energy developers and to new manufacturing facilities receiving Commonwealth subsidies and incentives
- Extend the Australian Skills Guarantee program to publicly funded renewable projects
- Implement limits on minimum and maximum pay, and strong health and safety protections
“Jobs in renewable energy jobs can and should be quality jobs that genuinely support families and communities,” said report author Charlie Joyce.
“Unfortunately, too many of the jobs being created in sustainable energy and manufacturing industries are insecure, temporary, and do not provide adequate training opportunities. That undermines the development of the stable, top-quality workforce that these industries will need in the future.”
“The Australian Government needs to do a much better job of leveraging its position as funder to require subsidized projects to do the right thing by employees.
“Using public money to fund the net zero transition makes sense, but public money ought to come with strings attached. Mandating the provision of quality Australian jobs is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the social license of renewable projects, especially in regional areas where unemployment is a real issue.
“The great news is the templates for what the government needs to do already exist. In many cases all that needs to happen is to port existing schemes across to the renewable sector. The Secure Australian Jobs Code, for example, should be expanded to renewable energy projects, and the Australian Skills Guarantee program likewise.
“The transition to net zero is obviously a win for the environment, but it can and should be a win for Australian workers too.”
Contact details:
Anil Lambert 0416 426 722