By Anne Kennedy, Noosa branch

Chris Bowen, the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, in his Labor Party Climate Change Policy brief (November 2021), said that the economics of Climate Change is key to getting support for Labor’s policy.

He highlighted that:

• The policy creates 604,000 jobs
• 5/6 of these jobs are in regional Australia and
• A big chunk of these jobs are in regional Qld. in the transformation to renewable energy

I will go one step further and say – the Labor Party Climate Change Policy and the jobs it will generate in regional Qld., can be the difference between winning & losing the federal election in Qld.

The ‘People Powering the Future – Skilling Queenslanders for the Clean Transformation’ report commissioned by the Climate Council and undertaken by Deloitte Access Economics models the economic transformation to net zero already underway in Queensland, with a focus on the skills and jobs that our new economy will need. The report outlines the changes that are set to happen in Queensland’s job market, and where intervention from policy makers is essential.

Key findings of the report include:

1. There will be more jobs in Queensland, and a larger economy, if the state manages the transformation to a clean economy well.
   • Planning and managing the transformation to a clean economy successfully will grow the Queensland economy 7% by 2050.
   • Demand for clean economy jobs will grow 2.5% each year over this decade. Excitingly, clean jobs will make up three quarters of the top growing occupations by 2030.

2. Climate action is an economic necessity for Queensland.
   • More than 80% of Australia’s trading partners are committed to reaching net zero, which means customers for our fossil fuel export are drying up. Queensland can’t sell what the world no longer wants.
   • If Queensland and Australia get the transition to net zero wrong, there are increased costs to the economy – in both job losses and stagnant growth. Deloitte estimates the costs of decarbonising over the next decade could be 45% higher for Australia if the world acts and we fail to.
   • Queensland has what the world needs for a clean economic transformation – including base metals and rare earth minerals.

3. Queensland’s economy and workers are ready for the net zero transformation. 
   • This report found that fears that decarbonisation will mean large job losses are unfounded. The majority of Queenslanders’ jobs won’t be impacted by the move to a clean economy.
   • In fact, 80 percent of the tasks needed in Queensland’s clean economy are already being performed. For example, an electrician working in a coal mine can relatively easily upskill to work in another part of the economy.
   • Queensland workers have, on average, four alternative occupations they can immediately pursue (with no additional formal training). For example drillers, miners and shot firers can immediately transition into working as a power generation plant operator.

4. The government must lead in planning how to upskill Queensland’s workforce for the net zero economy. This will result in better outcomes for workers, businesses and the broader state economy.

• The Queensland Government can ensure the right on-the-job and training opportunities are available to workers. For example, by doing a short course or VET qualification, mining industry electricians can become a mechanical engineering draftsperson and technician, and earn a higher wage.
• Policy makers have a critical role to play in ensuring the right training opportunities are available – both for transitioning workers and school leavers.

5. Planning and preparing for a lower-emissions future will future-proof Queensland and create economic opportunities in every region.
   • If we plan early for the economic transformation every region in Queensland will enjoy clean economic growth and job opportunities.
     • South East Queensland will see massive growth in clean jobs by 2050. This includes 1300 jobs in hydrogen, 1350 in bioenergy and 4900 in clean electricity.
     • North Queensland is expected to experience one of the highest overall average annual growth rates in employment. The clean electricity sector alone is anticipated to grow 8.6% every year until 2050.
     • Central Queensland has significant opportunities for jobs growth in clean electricity (7.8% per year), hydrogen (6.9% per year) and base metal mining (4.9% per year).
     • South West Queensland’s traditional strengths will continue to grow its regional economy. Construction is expected to more than double between 2021 and 2050, from contributing $749 million now to $1.5 billion in 2050. Agriculture will jump from contributing $4,167 million to the economy now to $7,723 million in 2050.

The Labor Party Climate Change Policy means greater economic growth for Qld, particularly in regional areas. So get out there and talk to your friends, family & neighbours about the policy.

It can be the difference between winning & losing the federal election!