ETS threatens Aloca

Andrew Mathieson
Alcoa has revealed its 1100 Geelong jobs could be at risk if the Federal Government introduces its proposed carbon emissions trading scheme, according to a Liberal Senator.
Michael Ronaldson said Alcoa revealed the threat during recent talks about the scheme with Liberal MPs.
Alcoa employs more than 1000 workers at its Point Henry and Anglesea plants.
Mr Ronaldson said the Government’s “flawed” emissions trading scheme would destroy Geelong jobs.
“The Geelong region is highly exposed to an emissions trading scheme,” Mr Ronaldson said.
“The scheme the Rudd Labor government has put forward is so badly designed that no one outside the Government supports it.
“It’s deeply flawed because it has been rushed to suit a purely political timetable.”
Mr Ronaldson said the potential job loss in the region would breach an election promise that reductions in C02 emissions would not disadvantage Australian industries competing overseas businesses.
Alcoa spokersperson Brendan Foran said the company had no plans to sack workers over the emissions trading scheme “at this stage”.
“There is a number of different things that are happening here that impact us,” Mr Foran said.
“There is a global financial crisis, there is the impending emissions trading scheme and already we have taken a whole raft of action to ensure we remain here.”
Mr Foran said Alcoa was a commodity business, so it would be unable to pass on costs of the trading scheme to customers.
“We’re supportive of an emissions trading scheme but what we’ve been saying all along is that getting the design of the scheme right is just so critical for the ongoing viability of industries like ours. We’re trade-exposed and our competitors in other countries don’t face similar costs.”
Mr Foran said Alcoa would have “no free ride” under the scheme, which would cost “tens of millions” of dollars each year.
Labor Member for Corio Richard Marles accused the Liberals of using Alcoa jobs to create “political mischief”.
“They should be condemned for using Alcoa as a political football,” Mr Marles said.
“The Government is committed to introducing the carbon pollution reduction scheme but has no intention of putting Australian industry out of business.”
Mr Marles said he could not guarantee the scheme would not cost Geelong jobs.
“But I can guarantee that if a country does not come to terms with a post-carbon economy then there will be massive job losses in the future.”