Free Trade Agreement: Union says Government’s decision to remove skill assessment of Chinese Electricians ‘an Absolute Disgrace’
Removing a requirement to assess the skills of Chinese electricians on temporary work visas will endanger the Australian community, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) says.
Allen Hicks from the ETU said the Government’s decision to remove the mandatory skills assessment requirement for Chinese workers in 10 occupations as part of its new free trade agreement (FTA) with China was an “absolute disgrace”.
“For the Federal Government to come out and waive that under a free trade agreement, without any consultation with unions or employers, is an absolute disgrace,” he said.
“It’s going to create significant workplace dangers, not only just for electricians, but all those people who use electricity.”
Mr Hicks said China’s statistics of workplace deaths was of “genuine concern” to Australians.
“Australia leads the way in electrical safety. We’ve got some of the best electrical workers in the…
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The ultimate guide to Australia’s future energy options #Auspol #ClimateChange
Despite recent cuts to the renewable energy target in Australia, leaders elsewhere are looking to a future without coal. So what are our other options? Carl Smith guides us through Australia’s alternative energy sources—exploring how they work, their potential and why they aren’t used already.
How does it work?
Windmills have been used for hundreds of years, and wind turbines expand on the simplicity of that design—using a rotor, gearbox and generator to create power. The wind spins the blades, and the tower transfers that energy to the generator.
A typical 80-metre tower has blades that are around 44 metres tall. They’re huge structures, and wind turbines have gotten bigger over the years, with some now taller than 100 metres. The bid to build higher turbines is driven by the fact that there’s more wind at higher altitudes.
How much have we got?
Australia’s potential wind resource is vast. Geoscience…
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1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 