The real jobs boom in Queensland is in clean energy and protecting the 70,000 jobs that depend on a healthy Great Barrier Reef, not in Adani’s reef-wrecking coal mine.
New research shows strong clean energy policies would create 90,000 new jobs across Queensland by 2030 – many tens of thousands more than even the most bullish backers of Adani’s proposed Carmichael coal project say the mine would create.
A new research brief by the Australian Conservation Foundation, based on modelling by the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research, shows credible policies on climate change and energy would generate an additional 90,700 jobs across the state by 2030 and 214,400 jobs by 2040.
Most of these new jobs are in key infrastructure areas like energy, water, construction and health. Many would be created in regional Queensland.
“The real jobs boom in Queensland is in clean energy and protecting the 70,000 jobs that depend on a healthy Great Barrier Reef, not in Adani’s reef-wrecking coal mine,” said ACF campaigner Gavan McFadzean.
“By setting a target of 50 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030, the state government has taken an important step towards the renewal of towns in regional Queensland – but its continued backing of Adani’s massive Carmichael coal mine threatens the massive tourism industry that needs the reef to survive.
“If the Carmichael project ever goes ahead it will be the biggest coal mine in the southern hemisphere. Once burnt, Carmichael’s coal will create more reef-bleaching climate pollution than the entire country of New Zealand produces in a year.
“The Queensland Government’s ongoing promotion of coal mining – and its irresponsible designation of Adani’s Carmichael coal mine as ‘critical infrastructure’ – undermines the positive moves it has taken on renewable energy and undercuts Queensland’s tourism industry.
“Political leaders who care about jobs and a healthy future for their constituents will stop cutting corners for companies trying to flog last century’s dirty energy and start acting to secure the jobs of the future in clean, safe renewable energy.”
Analysis by ACF in August found there were 2,695 direct jobs in Queensland in ten renewable energy proposals shortlisted by ARENA. Six of these projects were funded in September, which is expected to create around 1,900 jobs.
