THE MARITIME Union of Australia says it has secured backing from other unions and industry participants to establish a Decom Union Taskforce focused on offshore decommissioning in Australia.
Unions from the offshore energy, maritime, transport, construction and manufacturing sectors this week established a cross-union offshore decommissioning taskforce. The group says it is seeking to ensure end-of-life oil and gas infrastructure is "removed properly".
In a statement to Daily Cargo News, MUA policy analyst Angie Moore said "the economic benefits to Australia will be substantial".
"[FPSO] vessels contain large quantities of valuable, recyclable steel alongside hazardous materials, yet they are exported by default," Ms Moore said.
The taskforce is closely engaged with the current reform window for the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act being progressed by the federal Offshore Decommissioning Directorate.
MUA assistant national secretary Thomas Mayo also has been lobbying for decommissioning of FPSOs to take place in Australia by Australian businesses.
"FPSOs can leave Australian waters without domestic permit requirements, public interest tests or assessment of whether the material could be processed locally," Mr Mayo said.
"Any changes to the law must explicitly deliver domestic economic outcomes, not simply faster or cheaper disposal."
The union taskforce brings together unions with coverage across the entire downstream supply chain.
The MUA said the taskforce included the ACTU, trades and labour councils in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.
According to the MUA, the campaign also has support from the Australian Workers' Union through the Offshore Alliance (OA), Australian Marine Officers Union, Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, Rail Tram and Bus Union, and the Transport Workers' Union.
"The priority is to ensure decision makers understand the value in full removal of retired offshore infrastructure and align decom with Future Made in Australia priorities, green steel pathways and regional development," Ms Moore said.
"Economies of scale would allow sovereign capability to be built, provide steady regional employment and return offshore steel to the construction and manufacturing sector rather than exporting it as waste."