Treasurer David Janetzki says the state government will continue talks on Glencore

Treasurer David Janetzki has committed to future discussions around Glencore, but there’s no end yet in sight.

Treasurer David Janetzki said discussion with Glencore will continue, with the federal government also set to be a key partner in any talks over the future of the copper mining and smelting operations across the north.

Mr Janetzki was in Townsville this week for a budget luncheon with Townsville Enterprise Limited to give an analysis of the Crisafulli Government’s first budget.

“We’ve been saying a long time now, we’ll be continuing to work with the Federal Government and Glencore itself to make sure those negotiations and discussions are taking place and Queensland’s interests are well served,” Mr Janetzki said.

“I think it’s clear there are significant linkages between what you see at the smelter, to the refinery to the potential, there is a need that all of that is carefully considered.”

The future of the Mount Isa copper smelter and the Townsville refinery has been in the spotlight, with the Townsville Bulletin launching an S.O.S Save our Smelter and refinery campaign.

David Janetzki believes Glencore should do right by Queensland like Queensland has done for Glencore.

If the smelter and refinery is to shut down, it would have a devastating impact on North Queensland, with an estimated 17,000 jobs on the line.

Townsville Enterprise Limited, the north’s largest advocacy group, has urged the government to step in and save the ventures, saying that ceding the copper industry to China would pose a huge risk to the nation’s security.

Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayes and Queensland Minster for Resources and Mines Dale Last have met senior figureheads at Glencore in Brisbane, and visited the Mount Isa copper smelter in June.

Mr Janetzki also met with Glencore in February and May.

“Those meetings are confidential obviously in nature of what’s being discussed, but there is no doubt that Queensland will be working with the Federal Government and Glencore and carefully navigating those negotiations,” he said.

“The interconnectedness of what the smelter means to so much economic development right through the supply chain, right through the economic ecosystem can’t be understated.”

The Treasurer stated that Queensland has been good to Glencore and he expects them to think through that carefully, echoing sentiments that Premier David Crisafulli had previously espoused.

“I think Glencore owes Queensland significantly and I want to see them treating Queensland with respect,” Mr Janetzki said.

“I want them to be thinking about the interests of the north and northwest, and not be so concerned about Swiss boardrooms.”

Townsville Enterprise Limited has launched a docuseries online to educate the community and politicians about how important the smelter and 17,000 jobs are for the community and Australia

Originally published as Treasurer David Janetzki says the state government will continue talks on Glencore