The Australian Workers' Union has strongly endorsed today's announcement that the Tomago aluminium smelter will remain operational, with federal and state governments committing to work with Rio Tinto on a long-term solution.
"This is a pivotal moment for Australian manufacturing," AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow said.
"The AWU has been knocking on every door - federal, state, company, thought leaders - to make sure the right people were talking to each other and working toward a solution. We're pleased that effort has paid off.
"For months we've been saying that Tomago isn't just another industrial site. It's the test case for whether Australia is serious about having a manufacturing future.
"You can't have the largest aluminium smelter in the country closing while talking up the future of local manufacturing."
AWU NSW Secretary Tony Callinan noted an announcement of this nature seemed a remote possibility just months ago.
"Today's announcement shows that when governments, companies and unions work together constructively, we can find solutions to even the most difficult challenges," Mr Callinan said.
"Obviously I'm most happy about the thousand workers at Tomago. This is an early Christmas present for them. But it's also so much bigger than that,
"This is about the tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs that depend on Australia maintaining its industrial capability. This is about whether Australia retains the capacity to make the basic building blocks of society.
"We now look forward to seeing the detail of the rescue package and will continue working with all parties to ensure Tomago has a sustainable long-term future."
