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Issue No. 331 | 03 November 2006 |
From Green House to Glass House
Interview: Common Ground Industrial: A Low Act Unions: The Number of the Least Politics: The Smoking Gun Economics: Microcredit, Compulsory Superannuation and Inequality Environment: Low Voltage History: The Art of Social Justice Review: Work�s Unhealthy Appetite Culture: A Forgotten Poet
Lies, Damned Lies and the Shirkin' Gherkin Green Jobs to Beat Climate Change Merchant Bankers Pull Entitlements Stroke
The Soapbox Parliament
Labor Council of NSW |
News Green Jobs to Beat Climate Change
Unions NSW secretary John Robertson says the combination of environment targets and government purchasing policies would create massive job and export opportunities for NSW companies.
"We have the opportunity to generate smart, export industries by taking a lead on the environment," Robertson says. Under the plan, NSW would be declared a carbon neutral state and take a lead role by installing solar panels in all NSW schools, hospitals and public buildings. It would then use procurement policy to favour NSW suppliers, creating the required demand to build an export base in energy-efficient manufacturing, with centres of excellence based in regions such as Newcastle and Wollongong. "This is the sort of smart government intervention that makes the most of our current challenges," Robertson says. Robertson says the community fights against WorkChoices and climate change are fighting the same enemy, the Howard Government's support for big business over ordinary working families. "Our current battle for Rights at Work has bought us closer to the community than ever before," he says. "There is no doubt that, like the attack on workers rights, the issue of global warming is resonating in the community. "Both our campaigns have a common theme: ordinary Australians taking a stand for future generations. "And in both our campaigns, we are up against a Prime Minister who always puts the interests of big business ahead of the interests of the people he is meant to represent."
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