Job Creation: The case for a national gross feed-in tariff report

A the 2009 Shop Stewards training conference, the ETU launched Job Creation: The case for a national gross feed-in tariff report. The report, which includes economic modeling by Access Economics, reveals that over 22,000 jobs could be created nationally in the next ten years. Creating these jobs requires the Federal Government taking a simple step to encourage the installation of rooftop solar panels. 

We can create over double the amount of real jobs in the renewables industry then will occur under existing policies.  This includes the recently passed Renewable Energy Target legislation. 

Seizing this opportunity will require a new nation-wide approach to how electricity generators are paid for the electricity they produce.  Currently we have different state based schemes that only pay generators for the surplus energy they feed back into the grid.  We know from international experience this will not provide adequate incentive to increase uptake, investment and employment.  What is needed is a national commercial gross feed-in tariff.  This would pay generators for all of the electricity they produce.

The cost of inaction is not just environmental - without action we are exporting talent and jobs.  This is a great opportunity which we must seize.  This issue transcends politics.

The ETU Victoria aims to spark debate on this important job creation opportunity with all relevant stakeholders.