One of the country’s most powerful union leaders has dismissed claims made by NSW Minerals Council chief executive Dr Nikki Williams about the damage the Federal Government’s Emissions Trade Scheme (ETS) will cause, reports the Illawarra Mercury.
According to the reports, 200 delegates yesterday attended a NSW Minerals Council Conference in Wollongong, called “Nagivating unchartered waters” which focused on the potential impact of emissions trading.
In a speech given to the delegates, Dr Williams said the emissions trading scheme would put “thousands of jobs at risk.”
Dr Williams claims the ETS could put a stop to new jobs in regional NSW, forcing some mines to close. The claims were based on a Concept Economic study that indicated 1440 jobs will disappear from the Illawarra by 2020 if an ETS is introduced.
According to the Illawarra Mercury, Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union national president Tony Maher said the claims were “rubbish.”
“Talking about job losses when you’ve still got a net increase is a bit misleading,” he said.
People who read this, also liked:
Green jobs to be lost from ETS delay
