James Bidgood (Dawson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Rudd Labor government are supporting local jobs by investing in a coal industry with a future. We want to support jobs and growth, and clean up coal for the industry’s future in a low-carbon driven international market. The credible science is in and it says that climate change is real and we need to act in the national interest now. On this side of the House, we are taking steps to drop our emissions and protect jobs in the process through the CPRS. The Rudd Labor government are serious about supporting the coal industry under the CPRS. Unlike a Turnbull-led government, the Rudd Labor government will never give up and put up the white flag on the Australian coal industry by embracing a nuclear future for Australia. We are the party that supports jobs, jobs, jobs. We are investing $135.6 million through the economic stimulus plan in Dawson alone. Those opposite voted against it. They voted against all of it—community infrastructure, science labs and bridges. They voted against communities and they voted against jobs. I wish to clearly state to my constituents in Dawson that the Labor Party is, always has been and always will be the worker’s friend.