Dave Oliver, national secretary of the AMWU says, “If Australian manufacturing is to remain internationally competitive, it must become energy efficient. Australia must be able to compete with countries that have carbon limits on their production processes.”

Oliver adds that unions will now begin the task of working with employers and the government to ensure the many different investment schemes are used to their full extent.

“Linking the investment programs in the Clean Energy Future plan to local manufacturing, not just local R&D, is crucial. The clean technology sector is worth $6 trillion globally and Australia needs to win our share of those jobs.”

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