ACOSS welcomes the passage in the Senate of the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill with the Senate agreeing to amendments to include First Nations representation on the Board and ensure communities are supported and benefit from the transition. 

Important changes to the Bill included an amendment to require First Nations representation on the Board in addition to two union and two industry representatives, moved by Senator Lidia Thorpe and supported by Senate crossbench and Opposition members. 

“The changes were essential to ensure that communities impacted by the transition to a clean economy, as well as fossil fuel workers, are supported and also share in the benefits of the transition,” said ACOSS CEO Edwina MacDonald. 

There were also amendments to ensure ‘communities’, as well as workers, are supported to manage the impacts, and ‘share in the’ benefits, of Australia’s transition to a net zero emissions economy; and to require a review of the Act.  

These amendments were moved by the Greens, and supported by the Government and crossbench members. 

“The transition to a clean economy is an opportunity to reduce poverty and inequality. But this will only happen if there are requirements to ensure the whole community is supported through this process,” added MacDonald. 

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Amendments championed by Senator Thorpe, the Greens, ACOSS, the community sector, industry, environment, legal and grassroots organisations, and supported by various members of the Senate, have ensured that the Bill is more equitable and inclusive. 

“Requiring First Nations representation on the Authority’s board gives First Nations communities an explicit voice in the regional transition,” said MacDonald.  

“We trust the Government will accept this amendment when the Bill goes back to the House of Representatives.” 

According to MacDonald, putting communities and people experiencing disadvantage at the centre of the clean energy transition is necessary to secure a broad social licence for further action on climate change and to reduce inequality. 

“The review of the Authority’s remit and functions will be an important opportunity to ensure regions, communities and people experiencing disadvantage are equitably benefiting from the transition and no one is being left behind,” added MacDonald. 

“ACOSS thanks the Greens, Senator Thorpe, the Senate crossbench and the Government for their constructive role in recognising the need to support communities’ share in the benefits of the clean energy transition.” 

Related: ACOSS strongly commends Senate call to urgently act to end poverty in Australia