Who stands up for Tassie?

WHAT is Tasmanian Labor doing to stand up for Tasmania in Canberra?

Josh Willie faces his most consequential political test since becoming Tasmanian Labor leader.

Bell Bay Aluminium is fighting for its future, putting hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and the northern economy at risk.  

Yet Tasmanian Labor appears unwilling to challenge the Federal Labor Government over its broken promise to support the smelter.

The Tasmanian Government unquestionably has a responsibility to help secure a commercially sustainable power agreement between Hydro Tasmania and Bell Bay Aluminium. But that does not erase Canberra’s responsibility, or explain why a federal commitment explicitly made to Bell Bay has apparently disappeared.

The Albanese Government established the $2 billion Green Aluminium Production Credit to accelerate renewable aluminium production, protect Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability and strengthen critical supply chains.

The scheme would provide production credits for eligible green aluminium over a 10-year period, giving smelters, regional communities and workers greater long-term certainty.

When the scheme was announced, the Prime Minister and Federal Industry Minister were specifically asked whether Bell Bay would be eligible.

Industry Minister Tim Ayres could not have been clearer: “The short answer is yes. This is a $2 billion announcement to secure the future of every Australian aluminium facility, including Bell Bay.”

The Prime Minister also gave Tasmanians his word: “What that will do is target support to Australian aluminium smelters, including here at Tomago, at Bell Bay, Gladstone, right throughout the supply chain process of Portland.”

Those commitments have now unravelled.

In July, Federal Labor MP for Bass Jess Teesdale confirmed that Bell Bay would not be eligible under the scheme as it currently stands. She argued the credits were intended to help coal-powered smelters transition to renewable energy, rather than support Bell Bay, which already operates using renewable hydroelectricity.

That turns the policy on its head. Instead of rewarding the smelter doing the right thing and having invested in the future by locating in Tasmania, Bell Bay is being asked to compete against mainland facilities receiving government support to catch up.

Were the promises made to Tasmania never genuine, or did the Prime Minister and Industry Minister announce a policy they did not understand?

Josh Willie has criticised the Tasmanian Government over Bell Bay, but he has said remarkably little about this federal reversal. He has directed his political fire at Hobart while avoiding the people in Canberra who made, and then abandoned, a clear commitment to Tasmania.

The same pattern can be seen at Rushy Lagoon.

Where was Josh Willie’s outrage when Commonwealth taxpayer money was used to strengthen the business case of a foreign-backed buyer seeking to acquire Tasmania’s largest farm?

Where was his criticism when an additional $8.8 million plantation establishment grant was awarded before the sale had been approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board and the Federal Treasurer?

These are decisions made by a Federal Labor Government that directly affect jobs, food production and economic opportunity in northern Tasmania. 

Josh Willie cannot rebuild Tasmanian Labor’s credibility by acting as Canberra’s silent partner on the ground. 

He must become Tasmania’s advocate in Canberra.

Tasmania needs an opposition leader prepared to challenge governments of either political colour when the state’s interests are at risk.

On Bell Bay Aluminium and Rushy Lagoon, Josh Willie must decide whether he will defend Canberra’s decisions in Tasmania or Tasmania’s interests in Canberra.