Media Release

25 November 2020

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NSW Labor’s amendments to the Government energy sector reforms which guarantee local jobs, industry development and export opportunities have greatly strengthened legislation which passed the NSW Parliament today.

The Government’s energy sector reforms have been significantly bolstered by a series of amendments by Labor to mandate local content requirements, compel local procurement and the expansion of education and training opportunities for apprentices and trainees.

Labor’s Deputy Leader Yasmin Catley said that the Government’s original Bill failed to guarantee a single local job with the renewable energy infrastructure touted by the NSW Government.

“Labor believes strongly that with any boom in renewables there must be a boom in jobs. We can’t import all the materials and components for the renewable energy boom and cut local workers and industry out.”

“We must design and deliver these projects here. We need to employ local people and ensure the highest possible quality in the construction of world-class energy infrastructure” — Adam Searle MLC, Labor Leader in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Labor’s Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Paul Scully MP, spoke to the Bill in the Lower House and reiterated the importance of engaging with local suppliers and using local materials in any energy infrastructure boom.

“For too long this Government has ignored local steel in their infrastructure plans. This Bill did not mention NSW Made steel once,  and it took Labor’s vital amendments to make sure this industry is prioritised.”

Labor has also delivered two new Renewable Energy Zones which has been left out by the Liberal Government.

A new Renewable Energy Zone in both the Hunter-Central Coast region and the Illawarra will ensure existing electricity infrastructure and manufacturing industries are able to adapt and expand to meet the needs of the renewable energy sector.