Huge job worries in trade plan

Alex de Vos
Geelong faces “huge” job losses under a proposed carbon emissions trading scheme, the city’s chamber of commerce has warned.
Geelong Chamber of Commerce executive officer Lawrie Miller said he was concerned Shell would close its Geelong refinery and relocate offshore after the Federal Government introduces the scheme in 2010.
Under the emissions trading scheme, Shell would have to buy permits to emit carbon. The scheme would also have ramifications for Geelong’s Alcoa plant, which runs its own coal-fired electricity generator at Anglesea.
Mr Miller said Shell in Australia would struggle to compete with companies in countries that refused to adopt emissions trading schemes.
“If the elements of the new proposal cause big increases then of course companies will think about relocating offshore,” Mr Miller said.
“It’s a concern. The number of people that rely on Shell being here is considerable. This is going to mean a huge loss of jobs for Geelong.”
A Shell spokesperson said a “carbon cost” applied only to Australian refineries would hurt the refinery.
“Australian refineries are small-scale and find it increasingly difficult to compete with large Asian refineries,” the spokesperson said.
“Shell awaits with interest the Government’s green paper and its proposed design of the trading scheme.”
Federal Member for Corio Richard Marles said he would ensure the Government “heard” the region’s concerns. But he warned that climate change threatened a higher price.
“Geelong is at the front line of the climate change debate. We are a seaside city and will be exposed to effects of climate change including rising sea levels.”