MUA: Unions Seek Australian Jobs Guarantee on New LNG Terminal

The Port Kembla Port Unions Committee is calling for an Australian jobs guarantee after the preferred site for New South Wales’ first LNG import terminal was selected.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) informed that the committee is seeking jobs guarantee in construction, shipping, surface transport and operations at the LNG import terminal, to be constructed in the Illawarra region.

The construction phase of the import terminal, which will be named the Port Kembla Gas Terminal (PKGT), is expected to generate around 150 jobs with an additional 40-50 ongoing roles in plant operations as part of the AUD 300 million project that could supply 70 per cent of the state’s future gas needs and be operational by 2020, MUA informed.

However, with the new facility expected to receive LNG tankers every two to three weeks, there are concerns that all of the gas will be sourced from overseas rather than locally, meaning fewer local jobs in the long term.

“Australia is on track to be the world’s biggest producer of LNG by 2019 and we shouldn’t have to rely on importing gas when we have the ability to be completely self-sufficient in a resource that belongs to the Australian people,” Mick Cross, Port Kembla Port Unions Committee spokesman, said.

“The proposed terminal now needs state government approval before construction can begin and it is up to the Berejiklian Government to deliver secure, long term jobs for the Illawarra,” Cross concluded.