ID :
188523
Tue, 06/14/2011 - 14:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/188523
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More mining jobs under carbon tax: Gillard
SYDNEY (AAP) - June 14 - Prime Minister Julia Gillard says there will be more employment in mining and related industries under a carbon price, as a coal industry study pointed to thousands of jobs being lost.
An Australian Coal Association (ACA) survey of 82 black coal mines looking at the impact of a carbon price found it would cost the industry around $18 billion over nine years.
ACA executive director Ralph Hillman said that while the industry supported putting a price on emissions it should not be to the detriment of Australian exports.
"The ACA supports putting a price on carbon, but not one that causes Australian mines to close and shift production to other countries with no reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Hillman said.
He said there were 3000 jobs immediately at risk in regional NSW and 1000 threatened in Queensland.
Eighteen mines would no longer be profitable and would be at risk of closing, leading to a further 4700 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs going.
The figures were based on a $20 a tonne starting price for carbon, moving to $50 by 2020.
Asked by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott about the report in parliament on Tuesday, Ms Gillard said jobs and investment would rise under a carbon price.
"Yes there are going to be a few gaseous mines challenged," the prime minister said.
"But there is also going to be a huge expansion in this industry that's actually going to create jobs over time."
Ms Gillard said that in the future "there will be more jobs in mining".
The prime minister also told parliament she had met with electricians and plumbers on Tuesday, who had expressed their support for carbon pricing.
The tradies said they would be at the "front end" of tackling climate change, through dealing with grey water recycling, solar and geothermal technologies and finding ways to save water and power.
This would create jobs and apprenticeships, they said in a statement.
But Greg Evans from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said small business would face the extra cost of electricity and higher input costs from a carbon price.
The government also released three information papers, which Ms Gillard said showed other nations were acting on climate change.
An Australian Coal Association (ACA) survey of 82 black coal mines looking at the impact of a carbon price found it would cost the industry around $18 billion over nine years.
ACA executive director Ralph Hillman said that while the industry supported putting a price on emissions it should not be to the detriment of Australian exports.
"The ACA supports putting a price on carbon, but not one that causes Australian mines to close and shift production to other countries with no reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Hillman said.
He said there were 3000 jobs immediately at risk in regional NSW and 1000 threatened in Queensland.
Eighteen mines would no longer be profitable and would be at risk of closing, leading to a further 4700 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs going.
The figures were based on a $20 a tonne starting price for carbon, moving to $50 by 2020.
Asked by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott about the report in parliament on Tuesday, Ms Gillard said jobs and investment would rise under a carbon price.
"Yes there are going to be a few gaseous mines challenged," the prime minister said.
"But there is also going to be a huge expansion in this industry that's actually going to create jobs over time."
Ms Gillard said that in the future "there will be more jobs in mining".
The prime minister also told parliament she had met with electricians and plumbers on Tuesday, who had expressed their support for carbon pricing.
The tradies said they would be at the "front end" of tackling climate change, through dealing with grey water recycling, solar and geothermal technologies and finding ways to save water and power.
This would create jobs and apprenticeships, they said in a statement.
But Greg Evans from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said small business would face the extra cost of electricity and higher input costs from a carbon price.
The government also released three information papers, which Ms Gillard said showed other nations were acting on climate change.
