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Coal industry - time for a transition plan
Thursday 18 March 2010
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to take climate change seriously and consider long-term regional jobs growth by putting the brakes on the rapidly expanding coal industry.
SMH, page 1 today.
"The Greens are calling on the NSW government to develop a transition
plan from coal mining and coal fired power to clean sustainable jobs in
renewable energy and energy efficiency technology," Ms Rhiannon said.
"In NSW coal mines are being approved at a record rate.
"The Hunter and other traditional coal mining areas do not gain the
same jobs benefit that was once associated with this industry.
"The high level of coal mining mechanisation means jobs growth has
slowed.
"Coal industry expansion makes it much harder for clean energy
manufacturing to establish. This is where long-term jobs growth lies.
"Premier Kristina Keneally and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should stop
the multi-million dollar subsidises that the coal industry receives
every year.
"These handouts go to multinational companies that send the bulk of
their profits overseas.
"The Rudd Government's plans to spend $580-million on the Hunter
Valley coal rail line.
"The rail infrastructure through the s has been built to help speed up
exports and facilitate the coal rush on prime farming land in the
Gunnedah, Mudgee and Upper Hunter regions," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
plan from coal mining and coal fired power to clean sustainable jobs in
renewable energy and energy efficiency technology," Ms Rhiannon said.
"In NSW coal mines are being approved at a record rate.
"The Hunter and other traditional coal mining areas do not gain the
same jobs benefit that was once associated with this industry.
"The high level of coal mining mechanisation means jobs growth has
slowed.
"Coal industry expansion makes it much harder for clean energy
manufacturing to establish. This is where long-term jobs growth lies.
"Premier Kristina Keneally and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should stop
the multi-million dollar subsidises that the coal industry receives
every year.
"These handouts go to multinational companies that send the bulk of
their profits overseas.
"The Rudd Government's plans to spend $580-million on the Hunter
Valley coal rail line.
"The rail infrastructure through the s has been built to help speed up
exports and facilitate the coal rush on prime farming land in the
Gunnedah, Mudgee and Upper Hunter regions," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
