Western Australia is well placed to transition to a clean energy future which embraces renewable technologies and natural gas, Minister for Jobs, Senator Chris Evans said today.
“Western Australia has a wonderful natural advantage when it comes to our state’s resources,” Senator Evans said.
“We have a large natural gas supply and no shortage of wind and sunshine to drive the transition to renewable energy technologies.”Senator Evans dismissed Premier Barnett’s criticism of the carbon package announced yesterday by Prime Minister Gillard.
“Instead of dealing in facts, Premier Barnett has signed on to Tony Abbott’s baseless scare campaign,” Senator Evans said.
“Now the facts of the package have been released the Premier should be held to account for his comments.
“The truth is Western Australian pensioners and low and middle income earners will receive compensation for the small increase in electricity costs that will flow from putting a price on pollution.
“Western Australian families did not receive any compensation when Premier Barnett increased power prices by more than 50 per cent.”
Senator Evans said jobs growth in Western Australia remained strong and mining employment across the nation has grown by nearly 20 per cent in the past year.
“Mining profits were $21 billion in the March quarter 2011 and the biggest challenge to the resources sector is finding the skilled workers to keep pace with record demand.”