In a speech to the Australian Industry Group national conference in Canberra today, the AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver will tell manufacturers to work together with the union and Government to take advantage of the carbon tax incentives to build a clean technology future.

Citing an AiG survey which showed 60% of businesses had no plans to improve their energy efficiency before the carbon tax was introduced, Mr Oliver will challenge employers to take advantage of hundreds of millions of dollars on incentives which begin next year.

“With the combination of a price on carbon, incentives for new clean technologies and appropriate polices to ensure high levels of Australian industry participation we can create thousands of new jobs and build a clean tech industry of substance in this country,” Mr Oliver will tell the conference in Canberra today.

“This Government has provided us – the manufacturing sector – with the greatest of opportunities for the future by taking what some will argue is the bravest of political decisions in implementing a tax on carbon pollution.”

“We must be equally courageous in responding to those opportunities, lest we slip further behind the manufacturing sectors in countries that are already building their capacity in clean technology products or more efficient manufacturing processes.

Mr Oliver will also tell the industry that the very tough current economic climate may mean some short-term flexibility from the government is required on the ratio of public and private investment in some of the carbon price schemes.

The AMWU will support arguments for more public investment to get clean technology initiatives in manufacturing up and running.