[Greens-Media] Rudd's multi-million rail coal package for Hunter destroys job growth

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
13 December 2008


Rudd's multi-million rail coal package for Hunter destroys job growth


Prime Minister Rudd's $1.2 billion Nation Building Package for coal
rail projects in the Hunter will drive the development of new mines
across the state and limit the development of clean green manufacturing
in the region Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.  

"If the federal and state governments don*t rein in the coal industry
they cannot have a significant impact on runaway climate change or boost
local sustainable jobs,* Ms Rhiannon said. 

"Many Australians would be doubting the Prime Minister's sincerity on
climate change now he is so clearly backing the worst climate change
culprit * the coal industry. 

"The $1.2 billion allocated to Hunter coal rail infrastructure will
severely limit the growth of a local renewable energy industry. 

"This is another public subsidy of the wealthy coal companies.

"Jobs growth from the $1.2 billion rail coal package will be limited
largely to construction jobs in the early phase of the project. 

"This is not a good news story. This public money should be allocated
as start up grants to manufacturing solar and wind energy technology. 

"The jobs lost because of this federal funding boost will be massive.
If the Hunter was developed as a NSW energy export centre Newcastle
University's Centre of Full Employment and Equity estimates14,900 jobs
would be created locally. 

"Instead Mr Rudd's hand out to the coal industry is a major set back to
reining in runaway climate change. Mr Rudd has boasted that his coal
rail project will boost coal exports from 97 to 200 million tonnes. 

"The new rail project will add 258 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to
the world's climate change burden,* Ms Rhiannon said.


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