Australian Unions welcome today’s announcement by the Albanese and Malinauskas governments to protect thousands of jobs at Whyalla Steelworks and safeguard the future of Australian steel manufacturing.
The co-funding package, worth more than $2 billion between the Commonwealth and South Australian Government, will support at least 1100 direct and 2000 indirect jobs in the Whyalla community.
The funding includes a $1 billion Federal Green Iron Investment Fund, which will help develop the industry across Australia, future-proofing the iron exports sector and building critical sovereign capacity for Australia.
Scaling the green metals export industry in Australia is slated to drive the creation of 100,000 new jobs by 2040.
Today’s investment adds another plank to the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia package – securing current and future jobs for South Australian and other steel-making communities.
Quotes attributable to ACTU President, Michele O’Neil:
“Today’s announcement is a lifeline for thousands of Whyalla steelworkers and a clear signal to manufacturing workers across Australia that the Albanese Government cares about their future livelihoods.
“The union movement will ensure that working people come first as part of this process. The jobs that underpin communities like Whyalla are also essential for thousands of local businesses, contractors, suppliers and others who rely on those jobs.
“With today’s historic announcement, the Albanese Government has not only saved thousands of well-paid, safe, and secure jobs at the Whyalla steelworks, but also guaranteed the creation of tens of thousands of new manufacturing jobs in an industry critical to the growth of our economy and the protection of our climate.
“The saving of Whyalla jobs highlights the stark difference between the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton when it comes to job security and local manufacturing. When steel jobs were on the line, Anthony Albanese showed up while Peter Dutton did not. Actions speak louder than words, and people still remember that the last time Peter Dutton was in government, his party let our car manufacturing industry die.
“Working people, their families, and communities, need to know they’ll have a job to rely on not just for today, but in the years to come.”
