The AMWU is disappointed Sophie Mirabella today missed an opportunity to outline any Coalition policies on manufacturing in the clean technology sector.

 

Speaking at the National Press Club, Mrs Mirabella today said that her number one ambition for manufacturing would be to repeal the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the additional $4.8 billion worth of industry investment and technology development schemes contained in the Clean Energy Future legislation.

 

The AMWU believes that these schemes are vital if Australia is to win our slice of the $6 trillion global clean technology industry.

 

“Climate change is one area where Coalition manufacturing policy is extremely disappointing, in that its major carbon reduction strategy is to plant 20 million trees – a dubious plan for the environment – but more significantly, one which ignores the possibilities for Australian manufacturing,” said Dave Oliver.

 

“A manufacturing and technology-led solution to climate change would mean Australia’s 1 million manufacturing workers could look forward to another generation of prosperity based on researching, designing, making and exporting clean and efficient technology to the world.

 

“Mrs Mirabella today showed she cannot see the opportunities in manufacturing sector for the trees.”

 

The Coalition have expressed concern about the 1400 workers who lost their jobs at BlueScope, but in the same breath opposed the steel industry plan.

 

Tony Abbott has visited car factories stirring up fears of job losses, despite having opposed, and still planning to scrap hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in the automotive sector.