The Opposition has today urged the Government to come clean on the discussions it is having with regard to an emergency package to save the Whyalla steelworks.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Vincent Tarzia, MP said his primary concern is to ensure the future of Whyalla is safeguarded.
“Minister Koutsantonis revealed on radio this morning that he’s talking to his federal counterpart about saving the steelworks – what does that mean for South Australians?” asked Mr Tarzia.
“We know GFG owes money to the state, but we don’t know how much. Surely taxpayers have a right to know that, but also what is being planned to save the steelworks.
Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero, Stephen Patterson said the Malinauskas Government has failed the people of Whyalla by not providing necessary support.
“The Government has been spruiking green hydrogen to produce green steel which is at least a decade away, that provides no comfort for the people of Whyalla.
“The Malinauskas Prosperity Project, which features Whyalla, needs to have a stronger focus on the here and now.
“I’ve been told people have lost confidence and are looking for work outside of Whyalla, houses are on the market and some people have already left the town.
“The steelworks is the fabric of Whyalla and when there’s doubt over it’s future of course people are worried.
Mr Patterson said significant contractors are not being paid and that has a ripple effect across the community. The railway is not operating, the mine isn’t producing and the barges to transport the iron ore aren’t running. This is a crisis.
“Peter Malinauskas’ $700 million hydrogen plan is dependent on the Whyalla steelworks remaining operational as an off-take partner for hydrogen.
“This raises further questions about the hydrogen plant - if it’s not going to reduce power prices for working South Australian families, and there are no off-take partners, what is Peter Malinauskas spending over $700 million of taxpayer’s money on?”
