The Tasmanian Government is closely engaging with the situation facing Liberty Bell Bay, which has seen production pause due to challenges securing manganese ore supply following recent cyclone disruptions as well as financial issues faced by GFG company.
Liberty Bell Bay is Australia's only manganese smelter and one of our State's largest employers and economic contributors.
Over the past week, I have been engaged with and briefed by Liberty Bell Bay, and this morning, I met with the George Town Council Mayor.
Last week, I engaged with the Prime Minister directly, requesting the Federal Government to support our major employer as a matter of priority.
I made it clear to the Prime Minister that Tasmania expects the Federal Government to play a pivotal role in securing supply chain opportunities, acknowledging their Future Made in Australia policy, which seeks to strengthen sovereign capability.
The Federal Government's Critical Minerals Strategy lists manganese, and the United States also designates manganese as a critical mineral.
Tasmania fully expects the Federal Government to do all it can to support steel-making capability in Australia and secure the operations' future.
I expect that, should Federal Government support be required to secure the operations and future of our manganese smelter, they'll be afforded the same opportunities that were offered to other smelters.
I acknowledge this is a very difficult time for Liberty workers and the broader community.
Our focus is firmly on them. We are doing all we can to secure their future.
