The Australia Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) welcomes the Albanese Government’s election commitment to invest $500 million in supporting Australia’s domestic steel engineering and fabrication capabilities.
The federal government announcement promises merit-based grants for manufacturing including projects which build new capability in wind tower steel fabrication through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.
The commitment also covers battery and storage technologies, hydrogen electrolysers, energy efficiency and electrification technologies, and other components critical to the clean energy transition.
The AMWU’s National Secretary Steve Murphy said it’s a long-awaited answer on local jobs for manufacturing workers across the country.
“Blue-collar workers finally get an answer on their jobs and their futures,” Mr Murphy said.
“This election announcement commits an Albanese Government to building our wind towers, solar panels, and our infrastructure including renewables from Australian-made iron, steel, and aluminium expanding our domestic supply chain, so Australia becomes self-reliant.”
“The AMWU has been building broad public support for our campaign led by our members to make sure we don’t pay the price as our industrial and energy needs change,” Mr Murphy said.
“The $500 million invested in heavy engineering workshops will create tens of thousands of secure, unionised jobs including hundreds of opportunities for apprentices.”
“The manufacturing unions will work together to make sure we maximise local content and local jobs. We will deliver manufacturing jobs for Australia,” Mr Murphy said.
Media contact: Sonia Feng 0478 599 580