"The $2 billion in production credits for cleaner aluminium are a vote of confidence in the future of an important piece of Australian industry," said Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association, the Australian Industry Group.
"The world will continue to need aluminium as it decarbonises and we could remain a supplier of choice if we are agile and efficient.
"Important as it is, the significant funding announced will not do the job alone. We need to maintain and improve a strong business environment to foster industry growth. For aluminium and other energy-intensive industries, we have to be able to permit and efficiently build the wind, solar, transmission, storage and gas peakers to enable smelters' long-term plans.
"There are major efforts underway to deliver this infrastructure faster and cheaper. They need to succeed.
"The money, which will be phased between 2028 and 2044 and paid per ton through the Business Grants Hub for each of the four main smelters, needs to be part of a broader package of support for Australian industry as a whole, as there are many important parts. This includes skills and training as well as access to supply chain opportunities
"There will be a lot of interest in comparable policies from sectors that are not part of today's announcement.
"We do expect to see more, most obviously for iron and steel, but those policies will need to be tailored to the circumstances of each sector. Today's announcement has a good basis in opportunity and future advantage, and a clear exit strategy - further policies should follow suit.
"Most of Australia's aluminium production is exported and a strong global trade environment benefits us. We need to ensure our industry policies respect our trade commitments, and remain an advocate and light for sound World Trade Organization rules.
"We look forward to working with the government through the detail of this policy," Mr Willox said.
