ETU - The Electrical Trades Union

19/06/2026

Our heavy industry has been struggling with the increased costs of energy. We’ve seen this at Tomago, Liberty Bell Bay, Whyalla and more. Without our heavy industry, Australia becomes reliant and dependant on foreign imports and manufacturing – a dependence that reduces our sovereignty. We need a plan to ensure that we can support heavy industry and manufacturing here in Australia, and Sovereign Power is that plan.

Instead of continuous bailouts for heavy industry, Sovereign Power is the idea that the Commonwealth can, and should, create and operate its own renewable energy sources. This energy can then be provided to industries deemed crucial to Australia’s national interests, such as heavy industry, for cheaper than the private sector is able to offer. The idea is simple, effective, and would protect Australia against the shocks of the international market.

To read our proposal about Powering Australia’s Future, visit: https://www.etunational.asn.au/your-union-at-work/reports-submissions/

18/06/2026

AUSTRALIANS BACK SOVEREIGN POWER

Seven out of 10 Australians back government spending on renewable energy to power manufacturing facilities cheaply.

Instead of continuous bailouts for heavy industry manufacturing, the ETU is proposing that a Commonwealth agency be created to own and operate renewable energy and provide cheap power to heavy-industry, who keep citing high energy costs as their main source of financial woe.

A survey conducted by 89 Degrees East has found that roughly 3 quarters of Australians believe that governments should play a larger role in building and operating energy infrastructure. The survey polled around 4000 Australians.

To read more about the survey visit: https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/business/government-backed-clean-manufacturing-gets-public-tick-c-22432775

To read about the plan for Sovereign Power, visit:https://mckellinstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Powering-Australias-Future.pdf

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

11/06/2026

National Secretary Michael Wright and Chief Economist of The McKell Institute, Alison Pennington, recently launched the “Powering Australia’s Future’ report at the National Press Club in Canberra. He made the case that Australia needs reliable and renewable energy for large industry and manufacturing, in order to protect our sovereign interests and avoid reliance on foreign powers. To read the full report, head to https://www.etunational.asn.au/your-union-at-work/reports-submissions/

04/06/2026

The Financial Review is reporting on Sovereign Power.

ETU National Secretary, Michael Wright and Chief Economist at The McKell Institute , Alison Pennington addressed the National Press Club, making the case for Sovereign Power.

We need publicly owned renewable generation and Sovereign Power is just that.Australia has built and delivered electricity before, and we can do it again.

‘The private electricity market alone cannot power Australian industry. Our generation assets are increasingly owned by foreign governments with their own national interests’ - ETU National Secretary, Michael Wright.

You can watch the full Press Club address here -https://iview.abc.net.au/show/national-press-club-address/series/0/video/NC2611C019S00

03/06/2026

ETU National Secretary, Michael Wright and Chief Economist at The McKell Institute , Alison Pennington addressed the National Press Club, making the case for Sovereign Power.

With global supply shocks hitting us hard and fast, Australian industry and hundreds of thousands of jobs are at risk, but there is an incredible opportunity before us.

We need publicly owned renewable generation and Sovereign Power is just that.
Australia has built and delivered electricity before, and we can do it again.

‘This is how we put Australian industry at the centre of economic progress. We can build a resilient, capable country where working people have skills, opportunity and security.’ ETU National Secretary, Michael Wright.

Read the full report from the McKell Institute here - https://www.etunational.asn.au/your-union-at-work/reports-submissions/

27/05/2026

ETU National Secretary, Michael Wright and Chief Economist at the The McKell Institute, Alison Pennington will make a joint National Press Club address next week.

With global supply shocks hitting us hard and fast, Australian industry and hundreds of thousands of jobs are at risk, but there is an incredible opportunity before us.

The address will make the case for publicly owned renewable generation. Australia has built and delivered electricity before, and we can do it again.

We need a future made here that we can deliver here, in Australia. We need energy security and sovereignty and jobs that are locked-in and well-paid way into the next century.

The address will be on Wednesday 3rd of June.

https://npc.org.au/events/michael-wright-and-alison-pennington

23/05/2026

🚨 EMPOWERING NEWS FOR VICTORIA 🚨

Premier Jacinta Allan just announced the new SEC Training Academy, creating 2,000 Electrical Apprenticeships!

This marks the first time the SEC has hired apprentices since the 90s.
They'll be powering our data centres, renewables, road, and rail projects across Victoria.

Real training leading to Real jobs.
Huge win for the Victorian Electrical industry! ⚡️

21/05/2026

ETU and CEPU delegates from across Australia were proud to attend the Women in Male-Dominated Occupations and Industries (WIMDOI) 2026 Conference. They joined working women, delegates and organisers in New Zealand for the very first international WIMDOI Conference! Every 2 years WIMDOI Conference is held to discuss the fight for safer workplaces, stronger rights, and genuine equality on the job.

The ETU remains committed to breaking down barriers in the electrical trades and backing women in the industry through solidarity, organising, and collective action. For the ETU delegation attending, it was a conference of sharing, of listening, and of learning about how we can make the workplace and worksites better for all.