The Maritime Union of Australia has launched a petition calling on the State and Federal Governments to support offshore wind and fund a just transition.
The undersigned support the campaign to make Star of the South, Australia’s first offshore wind project, the best possible example of a just transition, the union said.
This includes maximizing local jobs and manufacturing, ensuring good union jobs, as well as a job guarantee and no forced redundancies for workers from fossil fuel industries.
The petition also seeks for training to be funded and provided through local TAFEs, that right infrastructure is in place, and safety codes of practice to cover new industries.
According to the Maritime Union of Australia, achieving these measures will require campaigning, union agreements, support and planning from the Commonwealth and state governments.
The union states that the Commonwealth government must also urgently develop a stand-alone Offshore Renewables Act.
Star of the South could comprise up to 250 turbines with a combined capacity of up to 2GW. The project is a joint development by Australia’s Offshore Energy and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).