July 27, 2010
The Brumby Government’s Climate Change White Paper, which includes plans for a staged closure of the Hazelwood Power Station, provides no long term job security for workers in the Latrobe Valley, The Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe said today.
“John Brumby plans to close two of the eight units at Hazelwood Power Station in the next four years but he has failed to guarantee that jobs will be protected as part of the closures,” Mr Northe said.
“More than 800 people rely on work generated by the Hazelwood Power Station and so a planned closure without an appropriate alternative will have devastating consequences in the Latrobe Valley.
“The region already suffers from unemployment rates much higher than the national average and John Brumby’s White Paper has only heightened fear and anxiety among those to be affected by an early closure of the Hazelwood Power Station.”
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has appealed to both levels of government to show more respect for Latrobe Valley workers and their families affected by proposed changes to the power industry.
“I’m disappointed that Melbourne and Canberra-based Labor MPs are making announcements which affect the future of our region but they are not consulting with the local community,” Mr Chester said.
“None of the Rudd-Gillard Government’s senior Ministers have bothered to visit the Latrobe Valley and discuss climate change policies over the past two years.
“The Federal Election on August 21 is a referendum on jobs. I will stand up and fight for local jobs while Labor and the Greens will combine to shut down traditional industries without supporting the local economy as it transitions to new employment opportunities.”
Mr Northe said the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition supported the use of clean, green energy to meet Victoria’s power needs but he said any government plan must not cost local jobs.
“Today’s White Paper has struck another blow to the confidence of workers, local businesses and families who rely on the Hazelwood Power Station to survive.
“The Latrobe Valley can form part of the clean energy solution for Victoria and the onus is now on John Brumby and Julia Gillard to produce a long term clean energy plan for the region that includes the protection of local jobs,” Mr Northe said.