Australia Secures Natural Aluminium Edge with Investment

The AWU has strongly endorsed the federal government's commitment of $2 billion for production credits aimed at supporting a green aluminium sector as a vital strategic step to securing Australia's massive natural advantage in green aluminium production. The production credits would support aluminium producers for every tonne of green aluminium produced. AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow said the announcement showed the government understood the magnitude of the industry's potential. "Abundant renewable energy, access to raw materials, and skilled workers – Australia has every advantage necessary to become a leading global green manufacturing powerhouse," Mr Farrow said. "The only reason that there is any doubt about the sunny future of Australian manufacturing in the community is because Coalition Governments have been telling us over and over again we can't do it. But we absolutely can. "From Germany to Taiwan, any country in the world with a booming manufacturing industry has a government that has played a proactive supporting role. If Australian governments opt out of playing that role, then Australia's green manufacturing advantage will be stolen by others who will grab the opportunity. It's that simple. "The aluminium industry has been telling Australia for many years about the exciting future this country potentially has if we just get our policy settings right. "It's a truly outstanding thing for our country that we have a Labor Government that is focused and determined when it comes to capturing this opportunity for the future."