Nyrstar Tasmania: Jeremy Rockliff says a support package is close after talks with Prime Minister
A joint state and federal support package to help bail out Nyrstar’s troubled Tasmanian operations appears to be close, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff saying he hopes an announcement will made soon.
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A joint state and federal support package to help bail out Nyrstar’s troubled Tasmanian operations appears to be close, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff saying he hopes an announcement will made soon.
Nyrstar Australia CEO Matt Howell has appealed for a financial lifeline for the 107-year-old smelter, which employs 560 workers and generated $500m in economic activity in the state.
The company is in talks with the state and federal governments over a package to help shore up the production of critical metals beset by competition from subsidised imports.
Mr Rockliff said he has been in talks with the federal government and he was confident a solution was near.
“I spoke to the Prime Minister personally just yesterday, when we were finalising and working through a support package for Nyrstar particularly and I hope that that will be completed in the not too distant future,” he said.
“We had a very good conversation yesterday about a way forward and look forward to finalising a support package ... to give economic security to the company but most importantly support for each and every worker and their families,” he said.
“This is a very important matter locally for employees and their families, but it’s also a matter of our sovereignty as a nation and national security as well.
“We’ve worked very closely with the company and had a very solid briefing from them a number of weeks ago now.
“I’ve written to the Prime Minister, I’ve spoken to the Prime Minister. I’ve said that this needs to be a solution on the table from the Tasmanian, South Australian and national governments.”
Labor leader Dean Winter said Tasmania could not afford to lose Nystar.
“The cost of not doing anything is going to be greater than actually stepping in and assisting,” he said.
“If Nyrstar was to not continue, that would cause enormous financial and engineering stress on our on our electricity network for a start, the price for the other major industrials when it comes to transmission would skyrocket and potentially for mums and dads and other businesses as well as one of the major energy users exits the market.
“There are issues around engineering and network stability as well.”
TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said Tasmania’s industrial backbone was under threat and decisive, co-ordinated action was needed now to avoid devastating consequences for the state’s economy and communities.
“Major industrials like Nyrstar are the lifeblood of our economy,” Mr Bailey said.
“They support thousands of Tasmanian families, contribute hundreds of millions in economic value and form the backbone of critical sovereign capability for Australia.
“Nyrstar alone employs more than 500 Tasmanians and generates over $500m in economic value for our state.
“But without swift and serious support, these jobs and the communities behind them are at risk.”
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