AMWU members want action on climate

Date: 26 July 2008

A new poll shows that workers in areas that rely on energy intensive industry overwhelmingly support action on climate change if there is government support for new industries.

The poll backs up the AMWU's position that the threat of climate change can become a genuine opportunity with the right government policies and programs.

93% of members working either directly or in subsidiary energy intensive industries agree that with the right government investment in renewable manufacturing, jobs can be created and climate change can be tackled at the same time.

61% of members believe that climate change due to global warming is a long-term concern which can't be ignored. This includes a large proportion of members working directly in coal industry (54%).

Whilst potential impacts on jobs and industry are of concern to members, the issues of greatest concern were impacts on the natural environment (91% somewhat/very concerned) and the kind of world our children and future generations will inherit (93% somewhat/very concerned).

AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver said that the results were clear.

"Manufacturing workers want Australia to act to tackle global warning. Ninety per cent of members agree that the Federal Government must invest in creating jobs in new manufacturing industries that won't contribute to climate change."

Mr Oliver said the Australian Government needed to catch up with the rest of the developed world where initiatives to tackle climate change were well in place.

"There are companies who are looking for support for green technology and they are going overseas because there is no interest from the Government here.

"This will have to change so that working people do not lose out with the effects of climate change. As carbon intensive industries decline, there will need to be new areas for manufacturing workers in which to find meaningful employment."

"For too long, we had a government headed by someone who was a climate change sceptic and nothing was done to address the issue.

"It's time for the Rudd Government to act for the sake of a better future for the coming generations."

For further information

Contact:	Dave Oliver
Union:	AMWU
WWW:	http://www.amwu.org.au/

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