The Coalition is calling for a Senate inquiry into Australia’s failing metals manufacturing sector to come up with a long-term plan to save thousands of jobs and prevent the loss of critical sovereign manufacturing capability.

The push, led by opposition spokesman for manufacturing and sovereign capability Andrew Willcox, comes as major players such as Glencore, Rio Tinto and Nyrstar seek billions of dollars in government bailouts for plants that are under the threat of closure due to soaring energy costs and unfair competition.