Australia is one step closer to establishing a Net Zero Economy Authority to ensure the workers and communities who have powered Australia for generations can seize the opportunities of the country's net zero transformation, with legislation passing the Senate today.
The global transformation to a net zero economy is a massive opportunity for Australia, its regions, industries, and workers.
The Authority will work with communities, state, territory and local governments, regional bodies, unions, industry, investors, First Nations groups and others to take advantage of these opportunities.
It will coordinate with them through this massive change and facilitate the jobs and benefits of the economic transformation that come with moving to net zero, whether it is retraining and redeploying workers in traditional energy industries or cutting red tape in clean energy investment.
The previous Government put its head in the sand for a decade and ignored the world changing around it, depriving our regions of their future and risk our nation's energy security.
In contrast, the Albanese Government is investing in our potential as a renewable energy superpower and making sure that regional Australia benefits.
Over 150 countries have now committed to net zero by 2050, including almost all major economies and most of Australia's trading partners.
And with our renewable energy abundance, skilled workers and world class technologies, investors around the world want to invest in Australian industries.
The Net Zero Economy Authority is integral to our government's vision for A Future Made in Australia and ensuring that the regions that have always powered Australia can and will power Australia into the future.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese
"This marks an important step forward in our nation's successful transformation to a net zero economy.
"These Bills represent our commitment to ensuring no region, no community and no worker is left behind.
"This is about building the industries and creating the jobs that underpin our future prosperity".
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen
"The Authority will have the job of looking after the workers in regions like the Hunter, Central Queensland, Gippsland in Victoria and Collie in Western Australia who are at the core of this transformation.
"It will be a one-stop shop for new industries coming to regional Australia to create jobs and investment and for the workers already there to prepare for the jobs for the future."
