I would like to thank the SSTUWA for giving me the opportunity to attend the two day 'Say Yes Australia' Workshop in Brisbane on June 18-19 as a Facilitator representing the Union Climate Connectors.

I am also Head of Department of Society and Environment at Ballajura Community College and I would like to thank the College for covering my relief.

Union Climate Connectors is a joint campaign between the Australian Conservation Foundation and Australian Unions.

They empower union members to take action in homes, workplaces and communities around Australia.

They support solutions to the climate crisis that are good for the environment and good for jobs.

Read more: Union Members Support a Price on Pollution

The Federal Government have announced they will introduce a price on pollution in 2012 – in effect a price on carbon. This will be the first step in moving towards an emissions trading scheme.

Who will pay? About 1000 of Australia’s heaviest polluting companies will be charged for each tonne of carbon pollution they produce. This is being done to get polluting companies and industries to reduce pollution and importantly to invest in low polluting technology.

What about Household Costs? A price on pollution is not a direct tax on households or individuals. There will be a trickle-down effect to households as companies adjust, however more than 50% of revenue raised from the scheme will be used to compensate low and middle income households for any cost passed on to them by big business.

Read more: The Carbon Price – what does it mean?

Over 140 Australian leaders and community groups have thrown their support behind Australia saying “yes” to cutting carbon pollution and “yes” to a clean energy economy.

The ‘We Say Yes’ statement launched in Canberra today and featured in a full page ad in The Australian, has been endorsed by prominent Australian scientists, doctors, writers, religious leaders, actors and community groups.

Signatories include Nobel Laureate Peter Doherty, Indigenous leader Professor Patrick Dodson, actor Rebecca Gibney, author Tim Winton, TV personality Suzie Wilks, Fr. Bob Maguire AM, artist Ken Done, entertainer Katie Noonan, Australian Rugby Union player David Pocock and former leaders of the Liberal Party, Dr John Hewson and Malcolm Fraser (former Prime Minister of Australia).

Read more: Community leaders join call for carbon price

The Australian Council of Trade Unions, with environmental groups in the Price on Pollution 2011 (POP11) coalition, have launched the ‘Say Yes Australia’ national week of action.

Our involvement with Say Yes Australia complements the ongoing policy work and negotiations with government that unions are doing to ensure that the final design of a price on pollution includes support for emission-intensive and trade-exposed industries; measures to protect existing jobs; programs to attract investment in clean energy and production; and assistance to households.

The Say Yes Australia campaign has been launched on behalf of the broad majority of Australians who support the government's proposed price on pollution and action on climate change.

Read more: Climate Change Rally: 'Say Yes Australia'

Report confirms fast action on climate is needed to create jobs, drive economy.

The Climate Change Commission’s new report into the effects of global warming quells any doubt about the urgent need to set a price on pollution, say unions.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the new report, which confirmed that climate change was already impacting on the Australian environment and would soon impact the economy, was further evidence of the need to act now.

The new report, which has been independently reviewed by scientists, confirms that carbon emissions must start to decline as soon as possible, so that we can move to clean energy sources by 2050, Ms Kearney said.

Read more: Fast action on climate is needed