August 19, 2011
Latrobe Valley families will be concerned by reports indicating the Gillard Government is aiming to have contracts to shut down at least two power stations by June 30 next year according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Senior Gillard Government sources have told media outlets that expressions of interest for the tender process will be open from next month.
Three of the four generators identified in the reports as qualifying for the closure program are based in the Latrobe Valley – Hazelwood, Yallourn and Energy Brix.
Mr Chester said the reports prove that the Gillard Government is not heeding the message that is coming from the Latrobe Valley community.
“People in the Latrobe Valley do not want this government’s household assistance package, they want the decency of a job,” Mr Chester said.
“The government has failed to produce anything that details the full impact of its carbon tax on the region.
“Latrobe Valley families deserve answers from this government about what the future of the region will be under a carbon tax.”
Mr Chester yesterday called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to give assurances of future employment for Latrobe Valley power workers during Question Time in Federal Parliament yesterday.
“How many workers in the Latrobe Valley will lose their livelihoods because of the carbon tax that she promised would never be introduced?” Mr Chester said.
The Prime Minister could not provide a figure in response to Mr Chester’s question.
Shadow Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the government is ploughing ahead with shutting down power stations without regard for energy security, jobs or electricity prices.
“It was only a month ago that the Prime Minister visited the Latrobe Valley and looked the workers in the eye and assured them of their future,” Mr Hunt said.
“Now she is aiming to have the power station closures locked in by June next year.
“While the Gillard Government wants to close them down, the Coalition is committed to cleaning up the power stations if it is the lowest cost abatement.”