2017-05-10
The Australian Greens want the government to use Australian steel in the national infrastructure projects announced in the 2017 Budget and will move in the Senate tomorrow to support steel jobs in South Australia.
“Using Whyalla-made steel in Australian infrastructure would not only give much-needed support to South Australia’s steel industry, but send a message to the steelworkers that this Government has their backs,” Greens trade spokesperson, Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The Government wants to walk both sides of the fence on this issue. They’ve signed up to trade deals that make it very difficult for local procurement. They talk about saving Australian jobs, yet do nothing when it comes to ensuring Australian infrastructure projects are built with Australian steel.
“The Greens are introducing a motion tomorrow to mandate the use of Australian made steel in these railway projects, acknowledging that the people of Whyalla are doing it tough.
“It’s high time this Government backed its own steelworkers rather than hoping that Adani’s cruel deal will save struggling communities. I would love to see South Australian steel being used to build the nation’s growing rail network."
Media contact: Amy Moran 0427 604 760