National Energy Transition Authority met with mostly positive feedback, but union wants more input
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says plans to establish a federal authority to guide Australia's transition to renewable energy needs significant changes before it progresses to parliament.
The Australian Greens' National Energy Transition Authority Bill proposes creating a statutory authority to guide federal policy, helping workers and communities reliant on fossil fuels transition to renewable energy.
Australia wants the vast majority of its power to come from renewable energy by 2030, raising questions over the future of coal-fired power stations and the many Australian communities reliant on the industry, such as Victoria's Latrobe Valley and the Hunter region in New South Wales.
A transition authority will be able to propose changes to mining and resources laws, and provide advice to all three levels of government about how to manage the transition.
Recently released submissions into the bill are mostly positive about the creation of an authority, however, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) national secretary Steve Murphy said the plan needed to better involve workers in the process.
"There is nothing in the bill that suggests that workers or their representatives will be given any meaningful role in determining the future of their communities," he said.