NSW Coal Caps Create Manufacturing Vulnerability

The Australian Workers' Union is warning the coal caps legislated by the NSW Parliament today leave industry exposed by not capping the price of coal sold to steel, chemical, and cement facilities. The NSW Parliament today passed legislation that capped the price of coal used for electricity generation, a move advocated for and supported by the union. However AWU National Secretary Daniel Walton said he was worried that major employers were being left exposed by the laws. "The main reason our union has been campaigning so hard for a cap on coal prices was that we knew steel, chemical, and cement producers were facing unsustainable prices. Worryingly, that will still be the case under the legislation passed by the New South Wales Parliament today," Mr Walton said. "Under the new laws, factories that purchase coal directly for their operations will not enjoy the caps. That means their future in this state will be wobbly at best. "Thousands of quality jobs depend on these industries in New South Wales. I am surprised and disappointed that the new laws have not been designed to protect these workers. "I note that the State Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, has pointed out this gap in the legislation today. Given Parliament was specially recalled to deal with this crisis, I understand the support he has given the existing package. But it does leave the problem unaddressed. "I urge the New South Wales Government to amend this legislation as soon as possible, so that industry in this state survives and can continue powering toward a clean future."