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Morrison’s technology roadmap slammed
The latest Coalition energy initiative has been slammed by a union body, which claimed that it is a substitute for a coherent national energy climate policy.
Morrison’s technology roadmap slammed
The latest Coalition energy initiative has been slammed by a union body, which claimed that it is a substitute for a coherent national energy climate policy.
The Morrison government has stated clean hydrogen, energy storage, low-carbon steel and aluminium, carbon capture and storage and soil carbon as priorities during its technology roadmap.
Ahead of the 6 October budget, Energy Minister Angus Taylor released the first annual statement under the roadmap. It identifies five key priority technologies that cost around $18 billion over the next decade.
Mr Taylor outlined the details in a speech at the National Press Club, where he re-enforced the Coalition’s aversion to putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions.
“You either suppress emissions-intensive economic activities – usually through some version of taxation – or you improve them,” Mr Taylor said.
“There is no third way. Australia can’t and shouldn’t damage its economy to reduce emissions.”
However, the ACTU believes the government does not provide a comprehensive plan for the nation.
“It is disappointing that the Technology Investment Advisory Council created today is dominated by business interests and includes no representatives of working people who will drive our eventual response to the climate crisis,” ACTU president Michele O’Nell said.
“The plan’s support for steel and aluminum industries to reduce emissions and for lower-cost energy storage goes some way to support Australia’s energy transition and manufacturing industries. The roadmap has underestimated the role that energy efficiency could be playing in our buildings and workplaces to reduce emissions.”
The union argues for a clear plan to give industries certainty while allowing for worker protections from the impact of climate change.
“Australia faces two massive challenges in COVID-19 and climate change. So far, the Morrison government’s response to both has been half-hearted. We have no national economic reconstruction plan, and we have no convincing emissions reduction plan. Australia needs much stronger leadership on both fronts,” Ms O’Nell concluded.
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