Unions put LNG investment at risk: CCI

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has hit back at unions that have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the Gorgon project.

Last week, the Maritime Union of Australia, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union collected more than 5,000 signatures on a petition arguing that Chevron Australia hasn’t complied with an agreement to give job preferences to local workers.

But the CCI was critical of the call for an inquiry, arguing that Western Australia’s continued growth in resources investment required a greater focus on remaining competitive.

“Calls by unions for a parliamentary inquiry into the Gorgon project are nothing more than an industrial beat-up and a political campaign filled with self-interest,” CCI chief executive officer Deidre Willmott said.

“Unions should be doing their part to help keep the industry competitive, not making it harder, by singling out one project that continues to inject billions in this state.”

CCI said Chevron Australia had been providing Australian companies with more than $40 billion in contracts while creating more than 17,000 jobs to date.

Ms Willmott said if unions were serious about the next wave of job opportunities, they would be doing their part to help keep costs competitive.

“Competition from other countries is real – and the unions’ actions are making major investors and company boards look elsewhere, leaving $100 billion in investment lying in the balance for Australia,” she said.

“It is in all of our interests to make sure the investment comes into WA ahead of Africa or North America.”

She said union resources would be better-used by making sure WA was positioned well for a potential next wave of investment in the oil and gas sector.