Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the day to pop the champaign corks was finally here and he was delighted to be in Whyalla for the formal handover of the Arrium keys to Sanjeev Gupta, Executive Chairman of Liberty House and celebrating along with entire city.
“Today lifts a huge load off the community’s collective shoulders and I can’t thank Mr Gupta enough for his interest and confidence in Whyalla’s workers, families and businesses,” Mr Ramsey said.
“The Federal Government has worked very constructively with the State Government and the administrators Korda Mentha in bringing about this deal.
“I could not have asked the Prime Minister for better support, he has been fully engaged since the day he set foot in Whyalla to announce the 80,000 tonne rail order for the Tarcoola line. The Federal Government has already invested more than $130m in ensuring Whyalla has a future and stand ready to assist Liberty House on future investment.
“Mr Gupta has shown tremendous business vision and courage and displayed great faith in our ability to be world competitive. I thank him for his passion and commitment.
“This is final step in the long process and I extend my personal thanks to the administrators, Korda Mentha, who committed to finding a buyer dedicated to continuing Whyalla’ s proud steelmaking tradition. The attitude of the workers and their comittment ensuring efficiency has been an essential part of this process and they are rewarded by the certainty this sale provides as are the families and businesses of Whyalla.”
Mr Ramsey said Whyalla has one predominant industry and it’s 23,000 people are in one way or another reliant on the iron/steel industry.
“The past months have been harrowing and tense for Whyalla residents who have been on a knife-edge worrying about the future of the town.
“I have every confidence the future of steel in Whyalla will be brighter than ever and Mr Gupta’s plans to invest over $1 billion in the business in the short to medium term will see the company become an even greater player on the world steel market.”
Media: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
September 1 2017.