“Very concerning” is how Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has described the news that Trafigura, the owner of Port Pirie’s Nyrstar smelter, have flagged they are completely reviewing their Hobart and Port Pirie operations and seeking Government support.
“Residents of Port Pirie have been watching the unfolding drama in Whyalla hoping they were immune because Nyrstar has a new plant,” Mr Ramsey said.
“However, it is now apparent that is no guarantee. These are global industries, and Australia is pricing itself out of the market.
“I met with Nyrstar during January along with Deputy Leader and Shadow Industry Minister Sussan Ley, Senator Anne Ruston and Tom Venning, and while they did not advise us at the time they were seeking government support, it was made clear to us the operations were struggling to break even.
“Trafigura CEO Richard Holtum has declared we cannot compete with Chinese capacity. That is hardly surprising.
“The Federal Government has been loading up industry in Australia with ever higher burdens that our competitors do not face, none more so than our world-leading electricity prices, right here in South Australia, courtesy of the Government’s blind commitment to a renewables only pathway.
“Governments, State and Federal, are choking the gas approval pipeline to the point where we have shortages which in-turn force prices higher.
“The Government’s “Safeguards Mechanism” is but a fancy name for an ever-increasing carbon tax on heavy industries like OneSteel, Nyrstar and Olympic Dam.
“And they have taken industrial relations in Australia back to a pre-Hawke era and completely flat-lined productivity on the way through.”
Mr Ramsey said China has a long history of targeting weak performance and manipulating supply to cause disruption and given the artificial impediments we place on our industries it is little wonder we could not compete
“I have spoken to both Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley this morning to ensure they are as up to date as I am, and while we are not aware of any proposals Nyrstar have put to either the State or Federal Governments we are open to discussing all options.”
Mr Ramsey also singled out recent electronic postings by candidates for the upcoming election questioning the Liberal Party’s support for the Whyalla package. “This is a completely false allegation, when the package was announced Peter Dutton came out immediately and backed the deal and remains fully committed.”
“Rumourmongers need only to pick up the phone to me to check the veracity of political allegations. I can assure the electors of Grey the Liberal Party is committed to manufacturing in Australia.”
Rowan Ramsey MP
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
March 27 2025
