The Andrews Government must fight tooth and nail to secure a deal to save Portland Aluminium.
A new report from the Australia Institute shows the smelter’s closure would be devastating for the local community and the economy
A closure would wipe $250 million from household incomes and GDP would take a $800 million hit and 3600 jobs would be lost.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said those figures alone should be enough to convince the State Government the smelter is worth fighting for.
“In a time when Victoria is experiencing huge unemployment on the back of the COVID Pandemic, the last thing we need is another 3600 jobs lost,” Ms Britnell said.
“The State Government has a major role to play, they cannot walk away from this.
“I’ve met with local management at the smelter and the team are doing their bit – they are innovating and doing things differently to make sure the plant is efficient as possible.
“Energy prices remain the biggest factor for the smelter and that’s where the state government must step in and help broker a deal.
“The smelter needs a transitional deal and I support any means needed to make that happen.
“The smelter is far too important to the local community and to the wider economy to just walk away.”
Ms Britnell said the importance of local manufacturing had been highlighted during the pandemic and the Liberal Nationals has committed to establish a $1 billion fund to encourage new and support existing manufacturing businesses.
