WA NICKEL SUSPENSION AN AVOIDABLE LABOR FAILURE

Reacting to news BHP was suspending nickel operations in Western Australia, Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald said:

“The suspension of BHP’s Nickel West operations is one of the first casualties of Labor’s rushed, fledgling Future Made in Australia policy.

“Closer scrutiny of Labor’s ill-thought-out Production Tax Credits (PTC) highlights they are still three years in the making and too slow to assist the nickel industry.

“Labor has failed to take the threats to the nickel industry seriously, and dithered on the Coalition’s calls for nickel to be listed as a critical mineral which would allow the industry to access financial assistance and other government programs.

“Under the Albanese Government labour costs and energy costs have spiralled. That, combined with the flooding of the global market with nickel, has put untold pressure on Australia’s industry.

“Labor failed to act and failed the industry and the thousands of associated Australian jobs.

“The Coalition welcomes that BHP is making every effort to absorb lost jobs where possible in other arms of their business.”

ENDS