Tougher anti-dumping laws, taxpayer investment in Whyalla infrastructure and greater use of Australian steel by governments is needed to save the steel industry, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says.
Speaking at a press conference in Adelaide on Friday morning, Mr Shorten said there was “absolutely” a sustainable future for steel production in Australia despite Whyalla’s steelworks facing closure unless parent company Arrium can address a $60 million per year budget hole.
Earlier, Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis told The Advertiser failure to save Whyalla’s steelworks could create a welfare bill far greater than the cost of a bailout and taxpayer support must be part of the solution.
Politicians of all colours have rushed to show their support for workers at Arrium, with hundreds of jobs on the line.
The company has already cut $100 million out of its operations, and is now making plans to mothball the Whyalla factory in response to cheap Chinese imports and lower iron ore prices.
Mr Shorten said he had written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to take action, including encouraging procurement of Australian steel for government projects and allocating federal funds to infrastructure in Whyalla, such as at the wharf or the port.
Source: adelaidenow