Media Release

6 July 2017

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NSW Labor is today slamming the Liberal Government in NSW for doing nothing while more than 2,000 steel jobs were at risk in the State.

Yesterday, 7,000 Australian jobs were saved when South Australian steelmaking business Arrium was sold to a British company – after the South Australian and Federal Governments stepped in.

It has been revealed today that more than 2,000 of these jobs at risk were in NSW. Despite this the Baird and Berejiklian Governments did nothing for over a year while Arrium workers in NSW faced uncertainty.

It is understood the jobs include management roles based in St Leonards and manufacturing, reinforcement and recycling roles at Rooty Hill, Newcastle and across the State.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy Adam Searle:

“I congratulate the Australian Workers’ Union for fighting so hard to save the jobs of its members – wherever they are.

“While the SA and Commonwealth Governments were actively engaged in efforts to save Arrium and its workforce, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her government were missing in action.

“Were they even aware more than 2000 jobs in NSW were at risk?

“While these jobs – located in Western Sydney, Newcastle and other localities across the State – look like they have been saved, this is through no action on the part of the NSW Government.

“The Berejiklian Government could have taken up Labor’s plan for 90 per cent plus Australian made steel to be used in government funded projects, but they offered nothing.”