THE HON SUSSAN LEY MP

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY, SKILLS AND TRAINING
SHADOW MINISTER FOR SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FARRER

SENATOR THE HON ANNE RUSTON

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR SPORT

SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

ROWAN RAMSEY MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREY

TOM VENNING

LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR GREY

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

COALITION SUPPORTS SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DECISION TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY FOR WHYALLA STEELWORKS

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

The Federal Opposition supports the decision by the South Australian Government to place the Whyalla steelworks into administration.

Whyalla, and communities across the Upper Spencer Gulf, have faced uncertainty about the future of the steelworks for too long. Today's decision provides some measure of immediate certainty for these communities which is welcome. Labor must continue to provide that certainty.

It was increasingly clear that the current owners were not in a position to fulfill their obligations. Given this, it is right for South Australia to consider other commercial options to ensure this strategically important national asset can be maintained into the future.

Australia must maintain its sovereign capability to manufacture steel. But it should not have come to this.

The sad reality for South Australians is Labor's ideological pursuit of renewables has made the cost of energy in South Australia among the highest in the world. It is clear Federal and State Labor energy policies are killing the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing.

Every business you speak to in Whyalla and the Upper Spencer Gulf knows you cannot run a full-time and functioning economy using part-time and unreliable power.

The Premier of South Australia and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese must also accept that green hydrogen is not a commercial reality.

The full details of the support package, the role of the Federal Government, and the total cost has not been released today and this must be provided, so that taxpayers and the people of Whyalla can have certainty for their future.

This is also a test for Anthony Albanese. Federal Labor was elected on a promise that they would 'rebuild manufacturing' and yet today the Whyalla steelworks joins the long list of Australian manufacturers who have gone insolvent since Labor took office.

Australia cannot afford three more years of Labor. We need to vote Labor out and get Australia back on track.

[ENDS]‍