Australian smelters and refineries are at risk of collapsing and there is an urgent need for a Senate inquiry into the Metals Manufacturing Industry to determine how to save the vital sector and the thousands of Australian jobs it provides.
The industry is under significant pressure due to the skyrocketing energy costs under the Albanese Labor Government.
Since Labor came to power in May 2022, electricity prices have increased by 10.6% and gas prices have increased by 45.3% for Australian manufacturers.
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey, Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources, has joined with Andrew Willcox MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, to announce that the Coalition will push for a Senate Inquiry into the Future of Australia’s Metals Manufacturing Industry.
The Senate Inquiry will investigate how Australia’s manufacturing industry has got to this state, the impact of the actions of other countries, and what the unified, long-term plan is between industry and government to protect local jobs – without the constant need for costly taxpayer-funded interventions.
At least 10 smelters and refineries across Australia are asking the Australian Government for support. Across these facilities, there are more than 6000 Australians directly employed, and thousands of other jobs that rely on these facilities staying open.
To date, the Albanese Labor Government has promised more than $10 billion to struggling smelters and refineries, however, more must be done to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.
The Coalition is concerned that copper, aluminium, lead, zinc and others are at risk.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP
A Senate Inquiry aims at uncovering how and why these major assets, and others like it across Australia, are being put in jeopardy, and what the Federal Government can and should be doing to prevent closures.
If we let these important assets go by the wayside, others around the world, such as China and Indonesia, will fill the void, sending thousands of jobs offshore.
Australian smelting and refining are already up against it with stiff competition internationally and the closure of these facilities would be yet another blow to our sovereign capabilities.
The Albanese Government needs to do more than just monitor the situation, which is why it is so important that I put this Senate Inquiry forward.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation, The Hon Alex Hawke MP
More taxpayer-funded bailouts are being contemplated by Labor because of their repeated failure to address underlying energy, industrial and regulatory challenges.
Labor’s so-called Future Made in Australia agenda and their National Reconstruction Fund resemble the old interventionist policies of the 20th century.
The proposed Senate inquiry would be a valuable opportunity to hear directly from industry and will help paint a more accurate picture of their challenges and opportunities.
Comments attributable to the Assistant Shadow Minister for Resources and Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey MP
The resources industry is critical to our economy. It is our largest export industry and a major employer.
Our focus needs to be on job creation and sovereign security. Instead, this significant industry is on its knees with the potential of closing and losing thousands of direct jobs – and thousands more indirect jobs from supporting businesses and industry.
It is time for a Senate Inquiry to uncover answers about how we arrived in this situation – and how we can ensure this industry keeps its important place in the national economy in the future.