ACOSS welcomes today’s announcement by the Federal Government to establish a net zero authority to support workers and communities impacted by the transition to a clean economy.
ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said:
“Creating a Net Zero Authority will give us a real opportunity to accelerate the transition to a clean economy and plan an equitable regional development in ways that benefit everyone.
“This is a culmination of more than a decade of work by unions, regional groups, social sector, environment and climate groups, local councils, business groups, and researchers. We congratulate the Albanese Government for acting.
“Acting on climate change will create thousands of new jobs, new industries and opportunities. Our task now is to make sure that workers and communities in those affected regions, particularly people already experiencing disadvantage, aren’t left behind but instead help drive positive change.
“A properly planned transition which coordinates regional economic diversification plans, will help ensure paid workers can transition into secure cleaner, better jobs. And for those who are already unemployed or underemployed in these towns, the transition also opens up new employment opportunities.
“Importantly, measures must support people on low incomes who have been excluded from the workforce and First Nations communities to seize the opportunities of the transition.
“ACOSS is also encouraged by reports the Government is considering changes to settings of the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax that applies to offshore oil and gas projects. ACOSS has long called for fairer and better taxation in this area.
“Oil and Gas companies are making eyewatering profits off public resources while people on the lowest incomes are struggling to afford their energy bills and going into energy debt. This is despite cutting back on heating and cooling, cooking, use of hot water and lighting.
“Ensuring oil and gas companies pay their fair share, if confirmed, is very welcome. We encourage the Government to look at further tax reforms starting with the more than $8 billion fuel tax credit, which is inconsistent with the Governments climate change goals.”
