Dean Winter has promised $25m to support Nyrstar’s Hobart smelter and 560 jobs

With a support package close to being finalised to save Hobart’s 107-year-old zinc works from closing, Labor has made a big election promise. Read the latest.

Labor leader Dean Winter with Dave Meers organiser Australian Workers Union and former Nyrstar employee. Labor leader Dean Winter has pledged $25m to help secure the future of Hobart’s zinc smelter. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Labor leader Dean Winter has pledged $25m to help secure the future of Hobart’s zinc smelter and its 560 workers.

He said this would be a “fair contribution” from Tasmania for a joint package from the Federal and South Australian governments and would be funded “by reallocating the state’s previous $20m commitment to the company”.

It comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed the three governments were “very close” to finalising a support package because “we want to make sure that Nyrstar gets the support that it needs”.

Aerial shot of Nyrstar Hobart zinc works at Lutana. Picture: Supplied

Mr Winter said the flow-on effect of any closure “would be devastating for the Tasmanian economy”.

“On day one of my leadership I said Labor stands for safe, secure, well-paid jobs,” he said.

“It is clear to me that the cost of not supporting Nyrstar will be greater than the cost of supporting it.

“The loss of hundreds of jobs and the flow on impact to contractors and reliant businesses would devastate the local economy as well as jeopardise the viability of other industrials.”

Mr Winter has outlined Labor’s support to the company, unions, the PM and federal industry minister Tim Ayres.

“I have also made clear that I will provide my full support should any agreement need to be finalised during the caretaker period,” he said.

“I’m heartened by the Prime Minister’s comments because he understands how important the major industrials are to the economy.

Labor leader Dean Winter with Dave Meers organiser Australian Workers Union and former Nyrstar employee. Labor leader Dean Winter has pledged $25m to help secure the future of HobartÕs zinc smelter. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“He has a made in Australia policy and we have a made in Tasmania policy.

“We will work together to keep these jobs in Tasmania.”

Mr Albanese said he was in regular contact with Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Mr Winter about Nyrstar.

“We have already made available $70m of funding between Tasmania and the Commonwealth when it comes to support Nyrstar,” he said.

“This isn’t an issue of politics.

“This is a matter of making sure that we get this done and the Industry Minister will continue to work with whoever is in government in Tasmania, in the interest of Tasmania.

“Whether it’s Nyrstar, or whether it be Bell Bay and all of these facilities, we know that these manufacturing facilities are really important for our national interest.”

Aerial shot of Nyrstar Hobart zinc works at Lutana. Picture: Supplied

Australian Workers’ Union organiser Dave Meers, who worked at Nyrstar for 24 years, said the predominantly young workforce were worried about their future.

“They’ve got young families and mortgages so they are hoping for good news,” he said.

“Any commitment which helps to secure the future of Nyrstar Hobart is huge for the workforce.

“It’s not just the direct jobs but also the indirect jobs and contractors.

“It is important they get it right and come up with a plan.

Mr Meers said Labor’s commitment was “the news these workers need to hear”.

“It will mean that they can have much-needed certainty about their jobs and continue to pay the bills and put food on the table for their families.”

Originally published as Dean Winter has promised $25m to support Nyrstar’s Hobart smelter and 560 jobs