Workers from Liberty Bell Bay have travelled to Canberra today to meet with Federal Ministers and MPs, calling on governments to move beyond short-term stopgaps and deliver long-term certainty for the future of Australia’s only manganese smelter.
Delegates representing workers at the Bell Bay site are meeting with key decision-makers as unions continue pressing for urgent support to secure wages, maintain operations, and protect hundreds of Tasmanian jobs while the sale process continues.
The visit follows the announcement by the Tasmanian and Federal Governments of a jointly funded $3 million loan package to keep workers paid until 19 May in the immediate term.
While unions welcomed the intervention as an important first step, they warned the ongoing cycle of uncertainty cannot continue, with workers repeatedly left waiting until the last minute to learn whether support will continue.
Australian Workers’ Union Assistant National Secretary Chris Donovan said workers had come to Canberra because the future of the smelter was too important to be handled one pay cycle at a time.
“Workers should not have to spend every day wondering whether their jobs will still exist by the next payday,” Mr Donovan said.
“The $3 million commitment was a welcome first step, but everyone understands it does not solve the broader problem.”
“These workers have travelled to Canberra to look Ministers and MPs in the eye and explain what is at stake, not just for Bell Bay workers and their families, but for Tasmania and Australia’s sovereign industrial capability.”
“Bell Bay is the only manganese smelter in the country. If we lose it, we lose critical industrial capacity that cannot simply be rebuilt overnight, if ever.”
“The sale process will take time. Governments know that. Industry knows that. Workers know that. What workers are asking for is certainty while that process plays out.”
“Every time workers are forced into another last-minute scramble before payday, confidence in the future of the site erodes. That uncertainty risks the workforce, but ultimately losing these workers would also risk any sale.”
Mining and Energy Union General President Grahame Kelly said the workforce had shown extraordinary resilience throughout the administration process.
“Workers at Bell Bay have kept turning up to work despite enormous uncertainty hanging over them and their families,” Mr Kelly said.
“They deserve more than rolling crisis management. We need a clear pathway that protects the future of this facility and the jobs that depend on it.”
AMWU National Secretary Steve Murphy said the Bell Bay workforce remained united in the fight to secure the future of the smelter and the industrial jobs it supports across northern Tasmania.
“Union members at Bell Bay have kept Australia’s industrial heart beating.” Mr Murphy said.
“These workers keep our entire steel industry moving. We are standing with these families to make sure the gates stay open and these jobs stay in Tasmania.”
“These workers keep our entire steel industry moving. We are standing with these families to make sure the gates stay open and these jobs stay in Tasmania.”
ETU National Secretary Michael Wright said workers at the Liberty Bell Bay smelter cannot be left high and dry.
“It’s disgraceful these workers are left wondering day in, day out if they have a job or not. They’re doing the hard work in what should be Australia’s future industry, but instead are left with total uncertainty.” Mr Wright said
“Workers need assurance, security and to be safe in the knowledge that Liberty Bell will stay open.”
The Liberty Bell Bay smelter directly employs hundreds of workers and supports thousands more jobs across Tasmania through contractors, supply chains, and regional economic activity.
Unions say continued government support during the sale process remains essential to ensuring the facility remains operational and attractive to potential buyers.
Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547