May 3, 2015
The LNP – which last year was pushing to privatise government owned corporations despite union protests it could cost power industry jobs – is now urging Queenslanders to sign a petition to protect these same jobs.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has launched an online petition aimed at highlighting “the precarious position” of 1500 Ergon and Energex workers.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said Queenslanders needed an honest answer from the Labor Government about the impact of its proposal to merge Energex and Ergon.
“Labor said an independent review to merge these organisations would save taxpayers $150 million a year but are yet to say where the savings would be found,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“What locals need to know is how many jobs will be lost at our local depots, like Yarraman and Murgon, how many depots will be closed and how many services will disappear.
“Up to 1500 electricity workers across Queensland face an uncertain future despite Labor promising jobs at the last State election.”
Mrs Frecklington said the biggest threat to local jobs was Labor.
“The ETU has been clear in wanting assurances from the government that the merger won’t affect frontline services,” she said.
“These union bosses spent millions of dollars of their members’ fees on electing this Labor government; the very one that will cut these members’ jobs and drive up their cost of living.
“This decision will threaten community safety and seriously impact reconnection times through a downsized workforce stretched to the limit.”
However, the State Government responded today by saying the LNP had embarked on a deliberate campaign to create distress for thousands of workers.
Energy Minister Mark Bailey said the State Government was “resolutely committed to protecting the jobs of frontline workers in the State’s power industry”.
“The Opposition Leader and the LNP have no credibility when it comes to protecting jobs and Queensland workers. They sacked 24,000 staff across the public sector,” Mr Bailey said.
“Their plan was to privatise Queensland’s income-generating assets, which would have led to more sackings and massive job cuts across the energy sector.
“Labor has made a firm commitment to Queenslanders that there will be no forced redundancies in our plan to merge Ergon Energy, Energex and Powerlink.
“We will work closely with the government-owned energy corporations, employees and the unions to ensure that our assets continue to run efficiently and support industries and communities across Queensland.
“For the LNP to suggest otherwise only serves to cause a lot of unnecessary angst and distress for the State’s frontline electricity workers.”
- External link: Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg’s online petition
