Less than 24 hours from forming government, our Liberal minority government has offered a $20 million dollar handout to the ailing Liberty Bell Bay smelter with the Greens coming out in praise of the move.
Labor and our newly confirmed independents are yet to offer any comment.
Media release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, 20 August 2025
Tasmanian Government backs Liberty Bell Bay workers with secured loan
The Tasmanian Government has stepped in to support workers and the Northern Tasmania economy by approving a secured loan of up to $20 million to Liberty Bell Bay.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Felix Ellis, said the loan will enable the purchase of manganese ore, allowing operations at Bell Bay to recommence in due course.
“Liberty Bell Bay is one of Tasmania’s largest regional employers and contributes more than $450 million to our economy each year,” Ellis said.
“At full operations, more than 900 direct and indirect jobs rely on its future.
“Let me be clear. This support is for Tasmanian workers and their families, not for the GFG Group.
“It is now time for GFG to step up and provide certainty for its workers by committing to do whatever it can to see the smelter continue to operate, including through investing in the operations.
“The Government’s priority is to protect Tasmanian jobs, Tasmanian suppliers and Tasmania’s economic interests.”
The loan is fully secured, with the State holding a first ranking security interest over the ore purchased and over all of Liberty Bell Bay’s assets.
Strict safeguards, including direct payment to ore suppliers and twice-weekly financial reporting, will ensure funds are used only for their intended purpose.
Ellis said the Government is working closely with stakeholders and the Australian Government to secure the future of the asset which is a critical link in Australia’s sovereign steel supply chain.
“This loan is about bridging a critical gap. Without urgent action, Liberty Bell Bay would be unable to source ore, would miss a key customer sales window and could lose its workforce altogether. That would risk shutting down Australia’s only manganese alloy smelter for good,” Ellis said.
Media release – Cecily Rosol MP, Greens MP for Bass, 20 August 2025
Greens Welcome Support for Liberty Bell Bay Workers
The Greens welcome the state government supporting Liberty Bell Bay workers with a short-term loan to help the smelter become operational again.
We have been standing in solidarity with workers, first calling for support for workers when the smelter was placed into limited operations in May.
The Greens understand the loan has been provided with strict conditions necessary, given both the financial problems within GFG Alliance and the mess the state budget is in.
The period of uncertainty around the operations at Liberty Bell Bay has been stressful for workers and their families. The 300 direct and 150 indirect jobs that Liberty Bell Bay plant provides are deeply important to the community.
It’s good to see the state government has stepped in to secure workers’ jobs – but they can’t do it alone. We will continue to call on the federal government to step in and provide long-term surety for workers.
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