COALITION CALLS FOR SENATE INQUIRY INTO METALS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Andrew Willcox MP
Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability
Member for Dawson
Phillip Thompson OAM MP
Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence
Shadow Assistant Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Member for Herbert
Senator Susan McDonald
Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia
Senator for Queensland
The Hon Alex Hawke MP
Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation
Member for Mitchell
Senator the Hon Matt Canavan
Senator for Queensland
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MEDIA RELEASE |
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16 July 2025 |
COALITION CALLS FOR SENATE INQUIRY INTO METALS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Australian smelters and refineries are at risk of collapsing due to Australia's high energy prices, highlighting the need for a Senate inquiry into the metals manufacturing industry.
Since the Labor party came to power electricity prices have increased by 10.6% and gas prices have increased by 45.3% for Australian manufacturers.
Andrew Willcox MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, announced that the Coalition would push for a Senate Inquiry into the future of Australia's metals manufacturing industry.
It is important to investigate how Australia’s manufacturing industry has got to this state, the obstructive actions of other countries, and what the unified, long-term plan is between industry and government to protect local jobs - without the constant need for costly taxpayer-funded interventions.
At least 10 smelters and refineries across Australia are asking the Australian Government for support. Across these facilities, there are more than 6000 Australians directly employed, and thousands of other jobs that rely on these facilities staying open.
To date, the Albanese Labor Government has promised more than $10 billion to struggling smelters and refineries.
The Coalition is concerned that copper, aluminium, lead, zinc and others are at risk.
In July, the Coalition urged the Albanese Labor Government to provide certainty to the Mount Isa and Townsville communities and noted similar financial pressures were being faced by Nyrstar Australia’s lead smelter in South Australia and zinc refinery in Tasmania.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP
A full inquiry aims at uncovering reasons behind these major assets and others like it across Australia being put in jeopardy, and more importantly what the Federal government can and should be doing to prevent such closures.
If we let these important assets go by the wayside, others around the world, such as China and Indonesia will fill the void.
Australian smelting and refining are already up against it with stiff competition internationally and the closure of these facilities would be yet another blow to our sovereign capabilities.
The Albanese government needs to do more than just monitor the situation, which is why it is so important that I put this Senate Inquiry forward.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation, The Hon Alex Hawke MP
More taxpayer-funded bailouts are being contemplated by Labor because of their repeated failure to address underlying energy, industrial and regulatory challenges.
Labor’s so-called Future Made in Australia agenda and their National Reconstruction Fund resemble the old interventionist policies of the 20th century.
The proposed Senate inquiry would be a valuable opportunity to hear directly from industry and will help paint a more accurate picture of their challenges and opportunities.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald
North Queensland smelter and refinery workers deserve to know why their jobs are now at risk, and why their workplace is at risk of collapsing.
We’ll be fighting for a Senate Inquiry into this situation because our manufacturing workers deserve better.
Comments attributable to the Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM MP
We saw the devastation that was inflicted on the Townsville economy when the nickel refinery was shut down.
I’ll be heading to Canberra to fight for our local jobs that are under threat from Labor’s poor energy policy.
Senator Matt Canavan
In the months since the election there has been enough talk about the jobs of politicians.
When we return to Canberra next week it is time to fight for the jobs of Australians.
For too long, this Labor Government has taken a Pollyanna approach with deluded claims that hydrogen and green steel promise a bright future for Australian manufacturing jobs when in truth we risk de-industrialisation.
ENDS