THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
MEDIA RELEASE
LABOR SUPPORTS MANUFACTURING
The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, today outlined how the Gillard Governments Clean Energy Future plan will ensure Australia's manufacturing sector remains competitive into the future.
Speaking to business leaders at the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) Annual General Meeting, Mr Dreyfus outlined assistance the Government will be providing for manufacturing as part of the Clean Energy Future plan.
The Clean Energy Future package includes a very significant level of support for the manufacturing sector, Mr Dreyfus said.
The Governments Clean Technology programs will help manufacturers reduce their energy use and costs, create new jobs and skills, develop clean technologies, break into new markets and profit from Australian research:
- The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program will help manufacturers transform their production processes and products so they can thrive in a low-carbon economy;
- The $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program will help food and beverage processing and metal foundries green-up their processes;
- The $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program will support the research, development and commercialisation of clean technology products, processes and services;
- The $5 million Clean Technology Focus for Supply Chains will help manufacturers and suppliers prepare to compete for clean technology projects;
- The $32 million Clean Energy Skills Program will build the workplace skills needed to deliver energy efficiency, clean energy and low pollution products;
- The $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation will drive investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and low-emissions technologies; and
- The Jobs and Competitiveness Program will support jobs and investment in industries with a heavy carbon footprint that are trade exposed. This program is ongoing and is worth $9.2 billion in the first three years of the carbon pricing mechanism.
A low-carbon future will present opportunities for every firm and the Governments Clean Energy Future package will help Australian manufacturers retool and take up these opportunities.
Under the Governments plan to put a price on carbon pollution, the manufacturing sector will continue to have a strong future, Mr Dreyfus said.
Modelling undertaken by Treasury shows that with a carbon price, Australia's manufacturing sector will grow its output by 69 per cent by 2050 compared to today's levels.
This is made possible because the Governments plan will drive incentives for all businesses to reduce their emissions, whilst helping companies transition and invest in the clean energy technologies of the future, he said.
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research will consult with stakeholders between October and December 2011 on the specific design of the Clean Technology program.
Register your interest by contacting the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email [email protected] or visit http://www.innovation.gov.au/Industry/CleanEnergyFuture/Pages/default.aspx to download a factsheet.
WEDNESDAY, 3 AUGUST 2011
