11 September 2008
Monash University climate change and governance experts have called on the Federal Government to provide intensive assistance to "coal seat" communities as Australia makes the transition to becoming a low-carbon society.
In a submission in response to the Federal Government's Green Paper, Associate Professor Ken Coghill and Professor Amanda Lynch argue communities that are highly financially dependent on coal mining, such as those in the Latrobe Valley, Hunter Valley and Bowen Basin, need special assistance because they face economic hardship as a result of carbon pollution reduction measures.
Associate Professor Coghill, from the Monash Governance Research Unit, said the move could be vital to Labor's chance of winning a second term because the votes of coal industry workers and their families were commonly believed to determine election outcomes in a number of coal seats, including Gippsland and McMillan in Victoria, Hunter in New South Wales, and Flynn and Capricornia in Queensland.
He said the scaling down of the workforce in the Latrobe Valley was an illustration of the devastating impacts on regional communities that reductions in employment in one industry could have.
"The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme needs to support these vulnerable communities in the transition to an economic environment where there are large reductions in demand for coal and coal-fired electricity generators as a consequence of carbon pollution reduction," Associate Professor Coghill said.
"This support should include funding to develop alternative industries and enterprises in the affected regions and to re-train and upskill workers to increase their job choices."
The submission also outlines other specific policy recommendations to encourage the nation to get behind the emissions targets and meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, including:
-- a target of 2020 watts from non-renewable energy sources per person by 2020
-- the application of a Carbon Pollution Tax to all new cars sold from 1 July 2010
-- planning legislation subjecting new development to more stringent environmental guidelines
-- incentives to electricity suppliers to encourage use of renewable sources of energy.
Professor Lynch from the School of Geography and Environmental Science said the rapid changes arising from climate change required a re-think on the nature of progress.
"The challenge of ensuring the sustainability of the climate and natural environment is the most important issue facing our current generation and will shape every aspect of our lives, from food security, to international trade and medicine," Professor Lynch said.
"One of the main issues the Government now faces is how to encourage the community and business to act now for the long term benefit."
For interviews with Professor Lynch or Associate Professor Coghill, or copies of the submission, contact Shaunnagh O'Loughlin, Media Communications on + 61 3 9903 4843 or +61 3 448 574 148.
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