Bell Bay Aluminium is critical to Tasmania’s economy, and the Liberal Government must stop standing by while its future is put at risk.
In a speech to the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council today, I made clear that Labor will always back the major industrial businesses that provide secure, well-paid jobs and underpin regional communities.
Tasmania has already lost Liberty Bell Bay, and we cannot afford to lose Bell Bay Aluminium as well.
The Liberals’ budget is in crisis after 13 years of waste, and they appear determined to squeeze every possible dollar out of Hydro Tasmania – even when it threatens jobs, investment, and Tasmania’s long-term economic interests.
That is unacceptable and extraordinarily short-sighted.
Hydro Tasmania already has a Ministerial Charter requiring it to act in Tasmania’s long-term interests and contribute to the state’s economic, social, and environmental wellbeing.
A Labor Government will uphold Hydro Tasmania’s charter in both spirit and letter.
Hydro does not exist simply to maximise next year’s dividend. It exists to help build Tasmania’s long-term prosperity.
Tasmania’s renewable energy should be a competitive advantage that attracts manufacturing, supports mineral processing, and creates secure, well-paid jobs.
It should not be treated as a cash cow to pay for 13 years of Liberal waste.
I want Tasmania to build the next great chapter of its economy on clean energy, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, and the skills of Tasmanian workers.
That future depends on backing businesses like Bell Bay Aluminium – not pricing them out of Tasmania.
