AMWU officials from around the country have gathered in Melbourne this week to discuss the future of Australian manufacturing in a low carbon economy.

AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, said the conference was an opportunity for officials to look at the science on climate change and form their own opinion on the expert advice.

A visit by Federal Climate Change Minister, Greg Combet, also gave officials time to directly ask questions about the government’s policy and the impact on manufacturing jobs.

“The Minister faced some fairly robust questioning. But I think what came out of that was a sense that the government must do something – and the $14.8 billion clean-tech industry plan they’ve delivered reflects our union’s long standing policy,” Mr Oliver said.

“It reduces carbon emissions, but importantly for manufacturing workers,  it funds job creation and development in Australian manufacturing. We’re committed to ensuring the government now delivers on this policy.”

Minister Combet told AWMU officials a scare campaign carried out by the Liberal Party would eventually come unstuck.

“Once the policy is in place – and the sky doesn’t fall in. There will be no where left for him and the opposition to go.”

He said it was a fallacy to believe other countries were not acting on reducing carbon emissions. 

“Most of the major economies around the world have already made pledges to reduce their pollution levels – we are not on our own.

“It’s why British Prime Minister, David Cameron, wrote to Prime Minister Julia Gillard earlier this week - to congratulate us on our policy.”

Victorian organiser David Vroland said the two-day conference had made him proud to be a member of the AMWU.

“I’m proud of our union’s policy – to secure the manufacturing of clean technology in Australia. I’m also pleased to see we can also secure the future of our kids both environmentally and industrially.

“I think we need to stand up to the lies and short-term thinking of the ‘do-nothing’ Tony Abbott and other climate change deniers. This is our opportunity to get on the front foot of this debate for a safe environment and secure jobs in the future.”