WHAT: Housing Minister Claire O'Neil will tour Oceania Glass facilities and meet with workers following the company's entry into administration. AWU officials will hold a press conference following the tour.

WHEN: Today, Friday, February 21, 2025 Tour begins: 12:00 PM Press Conference: 12:30 PM

WHERE: Oceania Glass 95 Greens Road Dandenong South, VIC

WHO:

• The Hon. Claire O'Neil MP, Minister for Housing
• Ronnie Hayden, AWU Victoria Secretary
• Jimmy Mastradonakis, AWU Victoria Assistant Secretary
• Oceania Glass workers and AWU delegates

WHY: With Oceania Glass in administration and the government's announcement of $2.3 billion support for Whyalla steelworks, the AWU will highlight the critical need for similar support to protect Australia's last remaining glass manufacturer and its 260-strong workforce.

VISUALS:

• Minister touring manufacturing facility
• Workers demonstrating glass production processes
• AWU officials meeting with workers

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sasha Dougherty
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0438 498 305
Email: [email protected]

AWU Calls for Equal Support for Glass Manufacturing as Government Backs Steel Industry

The Victorian Branch of the Australian Workers' Union is encouraged by the announcement by the Prime Minister to back the Whyalla steelworks and calls on him to extend the same industry support to Oceania Glass, as the nation's last remaining glass manufacturer faces administration.

The announcement of $2.3 billion in government support for the Whyalla steelworks demonstrates the government's capability to protect strategic manufacturing assets. The AWU argues that Oceania Glass, which employs 260 workers and produces 165,000 tonnes of flat glass annually, deserves similar consideration.

"The Prime Minister's decision to save Whyalla shows the government understands the importance of protecting our sovereign manufacturing capabilities. We need that same recognition for Australia's last remaining glass manufacturer," said AWU Victorian Secretary Ronnie Hayden.

"Oceania Glass isn't just another manufacturer – it's the only float glass manufacturing line in Australasia. 

“Once these skills and capabilities are lost, they're gone forever. 

“We can't afford to let another critical industry disappear from our shores.

“We have seen our last sovereign plastic manufacturer Qenos shut up shop and leave in the last few months, this is urgent, I can’t state it any more plainly than that.

“I’m seeing enterprises in our commercial districts are just evaporating by the month and it’s because other countries are outmanovering us knowing that once we can’t do it ourselves we’ll be at their beck and call.

“The Future Made In Australia is more than a catchphrase, it's our members' livelihoods.

Housing Minister Claire O'Neil will today tour the Dandenong facility with AWU officials to witness firsthand the strategic importance of the operation and meet with workers whose livelihoods hang in the balance.

"What we're seeing with Oceania Glass is the direct result of weak anti-dumping laws that have allowed cheap imported glass to flood our market," said Hayden. 

“I'm seeing a tsunami of glass arriving at construction sites across Melbourne, the regulator can’t keep up, we need the feds to give the Anti-Dumping Commission a cash injection so they can grow some teeth and enforce the laws we already have.

“We need a cop on the beat bringing prosecutions in weeks to months.

"The government's Future Made In Australia plan promises $22.7 billion in investment. We need to see some of that support directed toward protecting our glass manufacturing capabilities."

AWU Victoria Assistant Secretary Jimmy Mastradonakis, who has spent two decades representing workers at the facility, emphasised the human cost of potential closure.

"I've fought for these workers for twenty years, and I've seen the skill and dedication they bring to their jobs every day," said Mastradonakis. 

"These aren't just jobs we're talking about – they're multi-generational careers that support entire families. I remain absolutely committed to protecting our members' jobs and ensuring Oceania Glass gets the support it needs to survive."

The AWU is calling for:

• Immediate government intervention to save Oceania Glass
• Strengthened anti-dumping laws to protect Australian manufacturers
• Recognition of glass manufacturing as a strategic industry
• Equal consideration for support as shown to the steel industry

Media Contact:

Sasha Dougherty
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0438 498 305
Email: [email protected]