4 years ago
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO ‘BIG STICK’ BILL
JIM CHALMERS MP
Labor will fight for important improvements to the Government’s ‘Big Stick’ Bill to protect workers and rule-out any possibility of partial privatisation.
Labor was critical of the original Bill in the last parliament – it risked doing harm, and seriously risked the privatisation of publicly-owned electricity generators.
The Government has dealt with some of our reservations by introducing a different Bill in this Parliament, which makes improvements, particularly in relation to privatisation.
Labor still has concerns about potential impacts of the Bill, which is why we will fight to secure amendments that:
Labor was critical of the original Bill in the last parliament – it risked doing harm, and seriously risked the privatisation of publicly-owned electricity generators.
The Government has dealt with some of our reservations by introducing a different Bill in this Parliament, which makes improvements, particularly in relation to privatisation.
Labor still has concerns about potential impacts of the Bill, which is why we will fight to secure amendments that:
- Rule-out partial privatisation of publicly-owned energy assets in the event of any divestment order; and
- Ensure workers affected by divestment have access to protections under the Fair Work Act.
Labor’s support for the Bill in the House is conditional on these proposed improvements passing.
We also remain sceptical that this Bill will lower power prices, as the Government claims. That’s why Labor will propose an amendment to review the Bill before it sunsets. We will also examine any other outstanding issues as part of the Senate inquiry.
The passage of this Bill would still not change the fact that after 16 attempts the Liberal National Government still has no sensible overarching energy policy to drive investment, reduce emissions or cut power bills for struggling Australian households and businesses.
We also remain sceptical that this Bill will lower power prices, as the Government claims. That’s why Labor will propose an amendment to review the Bill before it sunsets. We will also examine any other outstanding issues as part of the Senate inquiry.
The passage of this Bill would still not change the fact that after 16 attempts the Liberal National Government still has no sensible overarching energy policy to drive investment, reduce emissions or cut power bills for struggling Australian households and businesses.