Impact of job losses in Hazelwood may outweigh health benefits, AMA says

Australian Medical Association says health impacts of unemployment and blackouts need to be considered when closing brown-coal power plants

The head of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Michael Gannon, has said the health benefits of closing down brown-coal power plants need to be considered against the health impacts of unemployment and blackouts.

The Hazelwood power station will permanently close on Friday, affecting 500 staff and 300 contractors who will lose their jobs. Hazelwood, in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, is Australia's dirtiest power station and one of the most polluting power stations in the world.