“Today’s announcement of a Nystar support package, by Industry Minister Senator Tim Ayres, is obviously good news. The zinc works employs hundreds of workers and supports numerous contractors and suppliers, all of whom would have been hit hard if the plant had shut down. The knock-on effect in the Hobart and broader Tasmanian economy would have been severe.” Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie says.
“The survival of the zinc works, along with other facilities like Liberty Bell Bay, Mount Isa and Whyalla, is also central to Australia’s economic future and national security. Now, more than ever, Australia needs to focus on maintaining and building on the country’s processing and manufacturing capacity, and also to develop more robust supply chains. When it comes to critical minerals and rare earth minerals in particular, Australia is remarkably well positioned to be a globally important supplier.
“I have been in regular contact with Nystar and Senator Ayres, including as recently as this morning. I am confident that the Federal Government well understands the situation, and is being careful to try and find a balance between reasonable government intervention, and the inherent corporate responsibility to pay to address their own challenges.”