Newman government welcomes court decision on Stanwell

The Newman Government has welcomed the decision by the Federal Court of Australia to dismiss an Electrical Trades Union led application against Stanwell Corporation.

Energy & Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said it was a waste of union members’ money.

“This was a frivolous attempt by unions to interfere in the efficient commercial operation of an electricity generator,” Mr McArdle said.

Mr McArdle said the unions had sought an injunction to prevent Stanwell from bringing units 2 and 4 at the Tarong Power Station back online.

The court dismissed the application finding there was ‘no serious question to be tried’ and described the evidence in support of an injunction as ‘weak and speculative’.

“Stanwell’s announcement that it was withdrawing the gas fired Swanbank E station from service and bringing the Tarong units out of cold storage was a commercial decision made by the company’s independent board,” he said.

“The coal fired units are cheaper to operate than the gas fired unit and that will help keep downward pressure on electricity prices for all Queenslanders.

“The legal action shows former Labor Premier Anna Bligh was right when she described the ETU as ‘extremist and militant’.

“The union would better serve its members interests by lobbying its state and federal Labor mates to support scrapping the carbon tax, rather than launching legal actions like this one.

“Stanwell will continue working closely with its staff at Swanbank and Tarong to implement the transition.

“As per the enterprise agreement there will be no forced redundancies.”

[ENDS] 18 February 2014

Media Contact: Phil Hind 0437 334 183