Local MPs are putting pressure on the federal government to secure the future of local jobs in steelmaking.
The call comes following today’s announcement that Arrium, formerly One Steel, the company that employs more than 600 people at the Laverton North Steel Mill, is going into voluntary administration.
Administrators have indicated that there will be no job losses in the immediate future, however State Werribee MP Tim Pallas and Federal Lalor MP Joanne Ryan have both called on the Turnbull Government to take immediate action to secure the company’s future.
Mr Pallas said the state government had taken the lead in supporting the steel industry by using local steel in the removal of level crossings.
He said Victoria also has the strongest industry participation policy in Australia, with set targets for local content on major projects including schools and hospitals.
“The (state) government is working hard to support local jobs and local industry, and we call on the Turnbull Government to do the same,” Mr Pallas said.
Ms Ryan said there were a number of things the federal government could do to support the steel industry.
“The Turnbull government can come out and say they want to see steel manufacturing continuing in this country,” she said.
“This mill has been operating for a long time in the electorate. These are great jobs — highly skilled jobs done by highly skilled workers.”
She said the federal government needed to follow the state government’s lead and procure Australian steel for major projects.
“We wouldn’t be in this mess if we knew subs were being built in Australia using Australian steel,” she said.
“In the immediate term, we’ve got to avoid a fire sale. We have to be attentive to dumping that goes on.”
She said her thoughts went out to the 1000 Arrium workers in Whyalla that were definitely losing their jobs.
Mr Pyne today passed the buck to state government, suggesting the federal government was already doing all within its power. He said the federal government would listen to any suggestions made by administrators.
