FEBRUARY 26, 2021 – The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) welcomes the ‘big battery’ announcement and calls for a guarantee on local manufacturing jobs coupled with procurement policies that support Australian made.
Governments have a golden opportunity to create local jobs and help lower electricity prices by working with unions and businesses, the AMWU says.
Investment in technologies like the world’s biggest lithium-ion battery as part of a push to transition to renewable energy and create manufacturing jobs will also drive down energy prices and give certainty to an Australian made future.
The AMWU is calling for more renewable energy projects nationally- like the Victorian example –that will create secure manufacturing jobs and lead to a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quotes attributable to AMWU National Secretary Steve Murphy
“We need this now and we need more of it nationally, initiatives like this kick start our economy and lead to secure manufacturing jobs.
“We need a guarantee from Governments that projects like ‘big battery’ come with secure manufacturing jobs and local procurement.
“Our energy needs are changing rapidly – this plan will drive down the cost of living for working families.
“Investment in technology like this is important for two reasons – it drives down energy prices through new technology and gives an Australian made future certainty.