The Federal Government released their Federal Budget this month. There were some big wins for ETU members. These wins are due to the incredible work of ETU members constantly standing together and fighting for better for our trades, families and communities
National License
The announcement that the federal government will establish a high quality national electrical license has been welcomed by the ETU. ETU members have campaigned for this for a long time.
A high-quality national license will allow greater movement between states for electrical workers eager to follow the work in high-demand sectors like construction and energy and provide greater community understanding nationally of the quality and importance of work performed by licensed electricians.
“Australia has some of the best electrical workers and highest electrical standards in the world. A national license must reflect that. We will work with government and industry on a licensing scheme that sets the global standard in this high-risk, fast-moving trade. The Australian national electrical license must be a mark of quality and safety that workers, industry, consumers, and employers feel proud of and have confidence in. All Australians have the right to know that work performed by licensed Australian electricians has been performed safely and skilfully by a professional whose capability has been certified to the highest level. The national regime must put safety and quality at the centre of its design, reflecting existing best practice from across the country – not composed of existing lowest common denominators in sub-national jurisdictions. Electricians are ready for a national license that they can stand behind and say, ‘Australia’s electrical work is the best in the world’.” – ETU National Secretary, Michael Wright.
The Government have said they would work with unions, business, states, and territories to design a high quality national electrical license.
Investing in Whyalla
The SA and Federal Governments have committed to a $2.4 billion investment in the Whyalla Steelworks to provide immediate support for workers and the administration process, and to support the longer-term investment in the steelworkers.
It is good that the Government has acted decisively to support Whyalla. The public interest may demand government retains a stake in the steelworks moving forward.
The steelworks is crucial when we talk of vital sovereign capabilities.
The Whyalla Steelworks employs 1000 people directly, and the town of 22,000 people relies on it as a major driver of the economy. Workers in Whyalla have been struggling with increasing risks to job security, the risks to the financial security of their town, and the risks to having a safe and secure future for industry in Whyalla while the future of the Steelworks has been uncertain.
The workers of Whyalla deserve a future, they deserve dignity, and they deserve prosperity and this investment will help to secure that future.
Apprentice incentives
The Government is reframing the New Energy Apprenticeships program to the Key Apprenticeships Program. The Government will double the maximum apprentice incentive payment for eligible housing construction apprentices from $5000 to $10,000. This extends the $10,000 apprentice incentive that was introduced for all apprentices in the clean energy sector. In recognition of electrical workers key role in the roll out of new energy infrastructure, these incentives will cover nearly all electrical apprentices.
Apprentices are the future of our trades. The ETU has been fighting for apprentices to ensure they have more support, more financial and job security and to ensure their safety at work. The more apprentices that come into and stay in our trades is good for our trades and crucial of the future of the country.