The Labor Government is in crisis as it forces the Whyalla steelworks into administration.
The Malinauskas Government rushed an amendment through Parliament this morning – giving the State Government power to plunge GFG Alliance subsidiary, OneSteel Manufacturing Pty Limited, into administration.
Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia described the events of this morning as further evidence of a Government in complete chaos.
“This is not strong and immediate action, this is a Premier that is scrambling because he has allowed the situation in Whyalla to spiral out of control,” Mr Tarzia said.
“The Government has known about this for more than six months, provided no assurances to the people of Whyalla, and then at one minute to midnight, acted.
“The Liberal Opposition have been sounding the alarm on this since September last year, but all we have been met with is secrecy and spin.
“Peter Malinauskas and his merry men have taken their eye off the ball, focused on the wrong priorities, a green hydrogen fantasy, when it is now crystal clear that they should have kept their focus on keeping steelmaking alive in Whyalla.
“We didn’t oppose this bill because this issue is too important to play politics. However, the way in which this amendment was rushed into Parliament shows a Government that has lost control. We are monitoring the Government's next steps closely, and we will hold them to account every step of the way.”
Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero, Stephen Patterson emphasised that the people of Whyalla, and South Australia more broadly, deserve better.
"We are concerned that this could mean the value of this nationally significant asset could be compromised in a fire sale,” Mr Patterson said.
"Every minute, hour and day that has gone by since these concerns were first raised last September has pushed more mum and dad businesses to the brink – our hope is that it is not too little too late from Peter Malinauskas.
“The people of Whyalla deserve better, and we will continue to advocate for this community, until the future of the Steelworks is secured.”
