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This book promotes a critical and analytical view of what the emerging New Cold War and climate change mitigation means for Australia's struggling regions and dwindling manufacturing industries. The authors argue that Australia's push for regional energy and decarbonization cannot be understood in isolation from an increasing militarised industrial policy and the challenging AUKUS relationships with the US and UK. They connect issues of industrial transformation to growing geopolitical tensions and international policy developments exacerbated by climate change.
The book facilitates a critical evaluation of claims that are made for the job creating potential of renewable energies and expanded sovereign defence capabilities. It will also consider what AUKUS and the build-up of an Australian defence industry means for Australia's attempts to decarbonise its economy and the importance of the 'greening' of the AUKUS military industrial complex.
Written by a team of academic and union researchers, the book will be of great interest to a diverse range of researchers and students, including those in geography, sociology, international relations, and business management.
List of contents
Introduction 1 People, place and regional development (or lack of it) 2 The Role of the State in Capitalism's Crises and Reconfiguration 3 Manufacturing industry in Australia: the militarisation of industrial policy 4 Transitioning and Revitalising Australia's Industrial Base 5 Working in Australia's Renewable Industries? 6 Just Transition in Australia - depoliticization? Conclusion. References
About the author
Darryn Snell is Associate Professor at RMIT University's School of Management. Darryn has worked extensively on employment, skills and workforce development questions related to regions in transition. He is internationally recognised for his work on the just transition (JT) challenges associated with decarbonisation.
Mark Dean is Adjunct Researcher at RMIT's Business and Human Rights Centre, contributing to the Work in Transition research theme.
Al Rainnie is Adjunct Professor at UniSA and Curtin University. He is currently working with unions, environmental and community groups on green steel and decommissioning offshore oil and gas rigs. His last book (with Andy Herod and Susan McGrath Champ) was concerned with work, workers and waste (
Industry 4.0 and the Future of Work, Edward Elgar, 2024).
Summary
This book promotes a critical and analytical view of what the emerging New Cold War and climate change mitigation means for Australia’s struggling regions and dwindling manufacturing industries.
