Say Yes Australia
The QNU says YES to laying the foundation for climate action
The carbon price package announcement marked an historic moment in Australia’s sustainable future. It marked a recognition that the emissions by big business can no longer be produced for free. It marked a shift in thinking to take opportunities in new cleaner industries, and making existing industries more efficient.
And it marked the laying of foundations for climate action based on the science.
Australia’s unions respect the science and understand that the world is already starting to act and reduce carbon emissions.
Did you know?Australia is one of the world’s top 20 emitters as a nation and produces more emissions per person than any other developed country in the world-including the US. What’s more, our emissions levels continue to rise. Last year they rose by 1.2% alone. |
Worse still, we are lagging behind the rest of the world, which is already taking action.
And when we listen to the economists they tell us that the best way to reduce carbon emissions is through a market mechanism.
Australia’s unions approached the carbon price negotiations with three priorities.
1 | To ensure that Australian families do not bear the brunt of the cost.While the price is directed at the 500 biggest carbon emitters, the federal government recognised that they would attempt to pass this cost on to consumers. The compensation package announced by the government ensures that workers and their families will not be penalised. And if they take the opportunity to reduce their carbon consumption, they will come out ahead. This isn’t rocket science but it’s clear that by doing things around the house to cut our energy use we won’t have to pay as much. |
2 | To ensure that workers in carbon-exposed industries are protected.The measures for the industry assistance mean that jobs need not be lost if industry plans for their futures based on the reality of dealing of climate change. Australia’s unions will be part of that process of managing change in a way that no one is left on the scrap heap. |
3 | It is important to recognise that there are opportunities from acting now on climate change, not later.The renewable energy package announced gives Australian manufacturing a golden opportunity to take a lead on the technologies that are needed to deal with the carbon challenge. Don’t forget we still need the skills and knowledge in the current workforce to build and sustain cleaner industries. Let us not forget they’ll be needed to help existing industries manufacture cleaner technologies. There are tens of thousands of jobs that could be created if industry steps up to the plate. Australia’s unions took the position that the greatest long-term threat to workers was to ignore the climate science and refuse to act. But the worst thing Australia’s unions can do for workers and their families is to stick our head in the sand and do nothing. That’s why unions are involved in the discussions and negotiations, making sure that workers’ rights and interests are considered. |
We don’t need more scare campaigns, more misinformation and more negativity.
Now is the time to act. Time to get on with it!
So what can I do?
The Say Yes Australia campaign is about real people and real communities. So if you think Australia will be better off with less emissions, here’s what you can do:
Letterbox your neighbourhood or street with a letter from the campaign team.
Email Genevieve Siddle at: gsiddle@qnu.org.au with the quantity required and area you plan to letterbox.
Click here to watch the 2 minute campaign video
Work it. Claim it. Stop donating your services!