REGIONS CALL FOR CPRS TO BE AMENDED AND PASSED
Representatives of key resources and manufacturing regions in Australia met today in Canberra and
called on the Government and Opposition to amend and pass the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
legislation.
The regions of Central Queensland, Illawarra, Geelong, Portland and Tasmania all include significant
activity in emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industry. “Our regions and these industries have a
positive future in a carbon-constrained economy as long as the policy settings encourage investment”
said John Mitchell, Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong and spokesperson for the Regional CPRS
Summit.
Australia and the world will continue to use steel, aluminium, cement, petroleum products and paper.
The best outcome is that we produce these materials in Australia according to Australian
environmental standards while maintaining and creating Australian employment” he added.
“Climate change is real and will impact on our regions. We must respond to that challenge by
reducing global emissions and we are calling on the Government and the Opposition to introduce a
policy that will help reduce global emissions without driving Australian industry, investment and jobs
offshore”.
“We are calling on the Opposition and the Government to make a small number of fundamental
amendments to the CPRS legislation to ensure the ongoing viability of Australian industry and then
pass the legislation to provide a sound basis for current and future investment.”
The specific changes being called for are:
No decay in permit allocation to trade-exposed industry until 80% of global competitors face a
similar carbon cost.
90% permit allocation to all trade-exposed industry. This will provide genuine protection to
activities that might otherwise receive partial, or no, permit allocation.
Permit allocation to cover all parts of an activity that are conducted in Australia.
Access to the Climate Change Action Fund and other funding for abatement to be open to any
applicant and include regional initiatives.
Electricity Allocation Factor (EAF) and the removal of the inequitable impact on Victorian
industry.
Stable treatment that maintains the competitiveness of Australian industry – e.g., five-year
notice of changed treatment of any activity, agriculture treated consistently with global
competitors.
The Summit called on the Federal Government to recognise the uniqueness of regional Australia and
the greater potential impacts from a CPRS, and to provide appropriate resources to assist
communities and business to adapt to a lower carbon economy. These initiatives include:
Support for regional communities and families in the transition to a constrained carbon
economy;
Assistance in re
-skilling regional workforces and establishing green and alternati
ve industries;
Funding for regional research to work with industry and business to develop technology to
reduce industrial carbon emissions.
Federal and State governments to work collaboratively with business and industry to clearly
understand the needs of industry, business and communities in regions and identify
opportunities for partnering in the delivery of assistance;
Providing ease of access for as many small and medium enterprises (SME) as possible to
access government programs and initiatives;
Developing simple and easy to access diagnostic tools to enable business to measure
emissions and enable carbon ‘certification’ and provide solutions for business and industry to
reduce carbon emissions.
Regional Background
Central Queensland – Central Queensland is located on the Tropic of Capricorn and includes the local
regional council areas of Rockhampton, Gladstone and Central Highlands and Banana Shire Council and
covers an area of 122,971 km2. The major regional centres of Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald and
Biloela support over 200 smaller communities throughout a region that has a total population of 214,859.
Illawarra – The Illawarra is a key region of Australia, contributing considerable resources to the national
economy. The region is a leading grain and coal exporter, home to the largest integrated steel plant in the
southern hemisphere, a national centre for metal fabrication and engineering and has emerged as a centre
of excellence in advanced technology research and development. The region also possesses extensive
livestock, wood and maritime enterprises, an internationally recognised university, substantial tourism
capacity, a population of more than 400,000 and a labour force in excess of 170,000 people.
Portland – Portland is a strategic urban centre for our region with a deep sea port, regional air service and
substantial industry base. The regional economy is dependent upon Portland Aluminium. At risk in Portland
are: exports exceeding $750m pa; 642 direct jobs and 374 contractor roles and $120m pa in wages; income
tax receipts which in 2008 equated to $128m.
Glenelg – Glenelg Shire is home to approximately 21,000 people with 11,000 living in Portland. Our region
includes the Great South Coast and Green Triangle areas of South East Australia. We have a diverse and
rapidly growing economic base across a number of sectors including renewable energy, timber, woodchip
and mineral sands.
Geelong – Geelong is Victoria’s second city located just one hour south west of Melbourne, sitting on Corio
Bay. The Greater Geelong region (five regional municipalities) has a population of 260,000 people which is
expected to grow to 500,000. Manufacturing is a mainstay of the Geelong economy
Geelong is obviously an advanced region with major hospital and medical facilities, Deakin University,
CSIRO Animal Health Laboratory and a very significant secondary education sector. The economy has been
in transition since the 1970/1980’s and is a region which continues to focus on growing industry sectors
beyond manufacturing.
Tasmania - All of Tasmania is effectively “regional”. We don’t have the population base of other States or
the multi
-million person cities. Employment is typically in small to medium sized businesses that service
the major manufacturing facilities and the general community. Tourism and hospitality plus agriculture,
forestry and mining are very important. There is a relatively small public service. Typically Tasmanian based
manufacturing plants employ up to 1,000 people, with a high multiplier effect due to the increased level of
outsourcing over the last decade. For most Tasmanian manufacturers, at least 90% of production is sold on
the mainland or overseas.
Media Contacts:
John Mitchell, Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong and Summit Spokesman 0428 314 472
Miles Prosser: 0429 923 605
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