Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), Maritime Union of Australia Division, & Construction and General Division. (2023). Roadmap to establish an Australian decommissioning industry [Joint submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources].
This joint CFMMEU (MUA and Construction Divisions) submission sets out a plan for building a proper, Australian‑based offshore decommissioning industry as oil and gas facilities shut down.
It argues that decommissioning is a major industrial opportunity that should deliver safe, secure union jobs, protect the environment, respect First Nations rights, and make sure oil and gas companies fully clean up their own mess.
The submission calls for strong Commonwealth leadership so decommissioning is planned, regulated and paid for by industry – not delayed, outsourced overseas, or handled on the cheap.
The main things we were calling for are:
- Government leadership and coordination, instead of leaving decommissioning to ad‑hoc company decisions
- Common‑user onshore dismantling and recycling facilities (for Bass Strait and WA) built to world‑class safety and environmental standards
- Central coordination and procurement of specialist vessels, funded by industry through an expanded levy
- Secure union jobs and training pathways, including a Secure Jobs Code, licensing, and minimum experience requirements
- Full “polluter pays” rules, including financial surety so companies can’t walk away from decommissioning costs
- Clear legal requirements for full removal and recycling, not dumping infrastructure at sea or leaving it behind
- Harmonised work health and safety laws, giving offshore workers the same rights and protections as onshore workers
- Genuine First Nations partnerships, with free, prior and informed consent and shared benefits
- Long‑term monitoring and accountability, with a public authority overseeing abandoned wells and infrastructure, funded by industry