By NOEL MURPHY
ANTI-ALCOA protesters have been slammed for trying to undermine the livelihood of 83 workers facing the scrapheap at Anglesea’s power station.
Australian Workers Union (AWU) attacked Surf Coast Air Action for campaigning against the power station and coal mine.
Essential Services Commission last week extended Alcoa’s Anglesea licence, keeping alive hopes the plant and its coal mine might attract a buyer. Alcoa will close the facility if it remains unsold by year’s end.
AWU state secretary Ben Davis accused Surf Coast Air Action of running “an emotional argument” lacking “any science”.
“I find it difficult to believe that in these difficult days and times any group would campaign for people to lose their jobs,” he said.
“These people will lose their jobs, their livelihoods – their families will be impacted. What have they done to deserve this group running around trying to drive them out of work?”
Surf Coast Air Action released a letter from AGL Energy head Michael Fraser rejecting any plans to buy the power plant and coal mine.
The group said it had approached various energy companies it deemed potential buyers, asking them to rule in or out their interest.
Mr Fraser’s letter to the group’s Dr Jacinta Morahan said the company only bought assets it could operate “safely and reliably and without compromising the health and wellbeing of employees and local residents”.
Dr Morahan said a survey of 250 people, equivalent to 10 per cent of Anglesea’s population, found 82 per cent support for closing the plant.
“There is a groundswell of concern in Anglesea and the Surf Coast about the continued operation of an out-of-date and dangerously-polluting coal mine and coal-fired power station within a kilometre of our primary school and homes,” she said.
“Given that it no longer supports jobs at Point Henry, the electricity is not needed. We believe that the health and environmental damage that this power station causes can no longer be justified.”
