LABOR’S BAILOUT CAN’T COVER UP INDUSTRY, RESOURCES CHALLENGES
The Hon Alex Hawke MP
Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation
Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Senator Susan McDonald
Shadow Minister for Resources
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
Senator for Queensland
Tom Venning MP
Member for Grey
MEDIA RELEASE
5 August 2025
LABOR’S BAILOUT CAN’T COVER UP INDUSTRY, RESOURCES CHALLENGES
The Coalition notes the federal government’s decision to provide taxpayer-funded support to bailout Nyrstar’s operations in Port Pirie, South Australia, and in Hobart, Tasmania.
The full details of this bailout, including the financial situation of Nyrstar, are commercial-in-confidence.
Costly taxpayer-funded interventions are becoming increasingly necessary under the Albanese Labor Government.
Labor have failed to address soaring energy costs and tax and regulatory settings that have deteriorated business conditions in Australia.
These important issues should be worked through at the upcoming productivity roundtable.
The Coalition recently called for a Senate inquiry into the current health and future of Australia’s metals processing industry. Last week, Labor blocked the establishment of this inquiry.
The Coalition repeats its call for certainty to be provided to workers and their families who are facing similar situations, including in Mount Isa and Townsville.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation, the Hon Alex Hawke
Labor’s bailouts ignore deeper challenges with Australian industry.
High energy costs and stifling regulation must be addressed to improve productivity and boost competitiveness.
Instead of doing the bidding of the unions, Labor needs to support our industries with a unified deregulation plan and deliver lower taxes.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Minister for Resources and Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald
The Coalition has repeatedly called on the Albanese Labor Government to add copper to the Critical Minerals List but nothing has happened and now 17,000 jobs in North Queensland are at risk.
We have lost our nickel industry, smelters nationwide are desperately seeking government support and our reputation as a safe and reliable place to do business is in tatters.
Soaring energy costs, unworkable industrial relations laws and over-regulation mean we don’t have a ‘Future Made In Australia’ under this government, it’s a nightmare made in Australia.
Comments attributable to Tom Venning, Member for Grey
This bailout is welcome and will bring short-term relief to Port Pirie; but it won’t secure the long-term future of our smelting industry or the community that relies on it.
What we’re seeing is classic Labor: deny there’s a problem until it becomes a crisis, then throw taxpayer money at it to look like heroes.
We need strategic policy settings that allow industry to thrive in good times and survive the tough ones, like now. That means energy affordability, practical regulation, and a fair go for regional businesses.
The Iron Triangle has long been the heart of regional manufacturing in South Australia; but it continued to decline and currently under pressure like never before. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road.
Regional communities like Port Pirie deserve more than last-minute bailouts. They deserve long-term vision, sound economic policy, and a government that understands the real challenges of doing business outside the big cities.
ENDS