The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has expressed strong support for the federal government’s $2 billion investment in production credits designed to foster the growth of a green aluminium sector, which the union views as a critical step in ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of the global aluminium market.
The production credits will be provided to aluminium producers for every tonne of green aluminium produced, offering incentives to advance sustainable practices within the industry, AWU said in a news release.
AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow welcomed the announcement, emphasising that it demonstrated the government’s recognition of the sector’s vast potential.
He pointed out that Australia has all the necessary advantages to become a global leader in green aluminium production, including abundant renewable energy, access to raw materials, and a skilled workforce.
“Australia has every advantage necessary to become a leading global green manufacturing powerhouse,” Farrow said.
“The only reason that there is any doubt about the sunny future of Australian manufacturing in the community is because Coalition Governments have been telling us over and over again we can’t do it. But we absolutely can.”
Farrow compared Australia’s position to that of other nations with thriving manufacturing sectors, such as Germany and Taiwan, noting that those countries owe much of their success to proactive government support.
He warned that if Australian governments fail to play a similar role, the country’s green manufacturing opportunities could be seized by other nations.
“The aluminium industry has been telling Australia for many years about the exciting future this country potentially has if we just get our policy settings right,” he added.
“It’s a truly outstanding thing for our country that we have a Labor Government that is focused and determined when it comes to capturing this opportunity for the future.”
