Coal Jobs Will Power On: Mp

Newcastle Herald

Thursday December 11, 2008

By DAMON CRONSHAW

THE Hunter Region's coal and power industries would not be consigned to history, despite Federal Government moves to put a price on carbon, Charlton MP Greg Combet said yesterday.

Speaking at Speers Point Library, Mr Combet said the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, to be announced on Monday, would not spell the end for those industries.

"I won't be walking away from the coal industry; it's helped many families through generations in this region," Mr Combet said.

"I'm not going to have people lose their jobs in this region."

Nevertheless, Mr Combet said the scheme would be "one of the most significant economic reforms of recent decades".

"It will change how investment decisions are made for electricity and help create a better market for the renewable energy sector," Mr Combet said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Climate Change Minister Penny Wong are under pressure from forces within their own party to water down the scheme over concerns about its effect on the economy.

"I'm strongly supportive of getting a scheme into place; having said that, I'm making sure my colleagues, particularly Penny Wong, are aware of the potential impacts," Mr Combet said.

Mr Combet said Eraring Power Station, in his electorate, must consider carbon capture and storage, but he conceded that the "jury is out" over whether the technology could work commercially and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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