AMWU members from Victoria’s La Trobe Valley have met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard to talk about the Federal Government’s carbon price package.

AMWU organiser Steve Dodd said the meeting, held on Saturday afternoon was an important step towards supporting the community as the country moves towards a low carbon economy. 

“The valley’s power stations are on their last legs with or without a carbon tax.

“But as far as we’re concerned the focus needs to be on putting plans in place for the region to ensure our members have jobs to go to.

“There is a lot concern at the moment – which the government needs to address. The meeting on Saturday was the start of that.”

AMWU delegate, Phil Bramstedt, said although members weren’t completely satisfied after their meeting with the Prime Minister, he accepted the government still had to pass the carbon price plan through parliament.

“There are a lot of questions the Prime Minister couldn’t answer. But she did say said she would endeavour to come back to work through our concerns.

“We want them (the government) to be totally involved and totally committed from now on in.”

Under the Federal Government’s carbon price plan $200 million will be allocated to assist regional communities like the La Trobe Valley make structural adjustments once the tax is implemented.

The Government has suggested support could include funding for displaced workers and their families, support for affected small businesses, community development programs and economic diversification programs.

However Mr Bramstedt, a belt worker by trade, said the region also needed opportunities to attract new industries and businesses.

“We don’t want another situation like the Kennett privatisation, when we lost 8000 jobs overnight.

“The La Trobe valley isn’t just a place that produces power. We’ve had our members down here do work for places around Australia. We have the scope to manufacture pylons for wind farms and all sorts of other things.”

At the meeting Ms Gillard promised the government would prevent the kind of dramatic job losses that resulted from the Victorian Liberal government’s privatisation of electricity assets in the 1990s.

AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver said protection of jobs was the first priority of the union.

“We are committed to ensuring the government invests in communities like the La Trobe valley as we transition to a low carbon economy.

“This is highly skilled population, it has excellent infrastructure, is well connected to a port and roads with a strong history of manufacturing. We now want to see the Government support the La Trobe valley in attracting new industry and investment.

“What our union is interested in, is getting the best out of the government in the interests of manufacturing and the one million people it employs.”

Mr Dodd said the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council would meet with industry in December to develop a long term strategy for manufacturing in the valley.

“Manufacturing is the backbone of this region. From Australian Paper to National Foods to other workplaces that are directly dependant on the power stations. We must have a plan in place to ensure our members’ jobs are protected and industries have a long term future.”

To see the union’s policy on a low carbon economy click here.

To see the union’s response to the carbon price package click here.