The Australian Workers' Union strongly endorses today's MOU between IFM Investors, Ampol, and Graincorp to explore the establishment of low carbon fuels production in Australia, and is calling for swift action from government to back industry in.
This announcement comes as the government weighs up how to support the industry's development in an ongoing consultation. The AWU is calling for significant investment from to realise Australia's world-leading potential in green fuels.
AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow said today's announcement is a first step in securing more than 500 jobs at Ampol's Lytton refinery, while shoring up Australia's fuel security and potentially creating thousands more jobs in the future.
"Today's MOU between IFM, Ampol and Graincorp is an important first step to creating a world-leading renewable fuel industry," Mr Farrow said.
"Our current dependence on imported fuel is just a disaster waiting to happen. We can't afford to keep relying on fragile supply chains at the whim of regional conflicts.
"We have the resources, facilities and workers needed to make green fuel at a lower cost than the rest of the world."
"Now it's time for the Federal Government to open up the kitty and make fuel part of the Future Made in Australia. Government support can help ensure the success of this project and others like it."
Queensland Branch Secretary Stacey Schinnerl said the investment positioned Ampol's site in Lytton for the future. "Industry development in Queensland is critical to the future of the Australian economy."
"Prioritising the development of low-carbon liquid fuels under the Future Made in Australia Act will be crucial for the energy transition, for national security and for our sovereignty," Ms Schinnerl said.
"Now the development of a local green fuel industry must be underpinned by regulation with teeth to ensure workers have opportunities to upskill, and safe, secure and well-paid jobs.
"This is a great first step, but there's more we need to do to establish a globally competitive low-carbon fuel industry in Australia. Governments and private industry must step up to the plate with significant and sustained investments - commensurate with funding for other green industries such as hydrogen - to make this happen."
The AWU is also calling on the government to commit to purchasing a proportion of locally made green fuel for its aviation and diesel fleets and, in the long term, a minimum supply mandate for private providers to build scale and drive further investment in low-carbon fuel production.
