The National party ‘Onya award’ goes to AWU Secretary, Paul Howes, for his defence of Australian industry, Queensland Nationals Senator, Ron Boswell said today.

“Paul Howes is doing what every other unionist and Labor party representative should be doing – standing up for the blue collar workers and protecting their jobs and not acting as a de facto Green” Senator Boswell said.

“He should be commended, because being a union member is not cheap.  Blue collar workers want value for their union fee,” he said.

“If Paul Howes can see it, why can’t Greg Combet?  As an ex-unionist who said he’d fight for union jobs, Combet has been found wanting.

“The Steel industry is important for Australia.  Between Blue Scope Steel and One Steel 20,000 workers are employed.

“Adding $8 per ton carbon tax on $7.5 million tons of steel production will add another $60 mill loss to the bottom line of both these steel manufacturers.

Both of these companies were under the pump last year and showed big losses. Blue scope Steel recorded a loss of $55.million in the last half year, and share prices have gone from $12 in 2007 to $2 today.

“But it’s not only Steel that will be effected.  It’s clear that more pressure from a carbon tax will cost jobs in the Cement, Aluminum, and LNG industries.

“The 10 million tonne a year cement industry faces an initial $4 per tonne tax rising to $11.50 per tonne in 2020.

“The high Australian dollar and rising energy costs are already seeing increased imports.

“The AWU represents many of the 1,800 workers in this $2.14 billion industry.

 “The Aluminium industry is a huge employer, employing 17,000 mainly in regional areas with 80% of production exported.

“The Aluminium industry is also under pressure from the high cost of renewable energy, the increased cost of electricity and the lifting Australian dollar.

“The overall concern of these industries is the uncertainty of what price carbon will be when it transitions from a fixed price to a trading scheme.  The price is expected to rise significantly.

“All these industries are represented by the AWU they need a champion as much as the steel industry.  Paul Howes understands a carbon tax is going to threaten jobs and livelihoods not only in the steel industry but in the cement, aluminium and many other smaller industries represented by the AWU.  Good luck to him.  He’s doing what he’s paid to do by his membership.” Senator Boswell said.

ENDS