Anthony Albanese and Labor are building Tasmania's future, today announcing up to $24 million to back local manufacturing jobs at the Boyer Paper Mill and help prepare it for a low-emissions future.
The Boyer Mill plays a critical role in the local economy and in Tasmania's forestry sector – providing good manufacturing jobs, adding value to local products and supporting a vital Australian supply chain.
This funding will secure 310 local jobs, support around 1000 indirect jobs including forest sector jobs, and strengthen critical forestry and manufacturing supply chains in Tasmania while creating new industrial opportunities at the Boyer site.
Boyer currently runs on ageing coal-fired boilers but, with investments in electrification and updating its product range, it can secure a sustainable long-term future for workers and the local community.
Labor will deliver $9 million in upfront support over the next two years to help Boyer stabilise its operations and prepare major investments to decarbonise and diversify its production.
We will also provide up to $15 million to help Boyer deliver these upgrades over the longer term, subject to assessment of its final proposals and consideration under relevant government programs.
Electrification of the mill will significantly cut emissions at Tasmania's fourth-largest industrial emitter, securing local manufacturing as the economy transitions to lower emissions.
Boyer Paper Mill is the sole remaining Australian manufacturer of publication paper which it supplies to publishers and commercial printers across the country.
Only Labor is building Australia's future and has a plan to make more things here.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"Boyer Paper Mill is an iconic part of Tasmania's manufacturing story.
"It was Australia's first ever newsprint mill built in the 1940s, and thousands of Tasmanians have worked here over that time.
"We want to see the Mill continue well into the future, and that is why we are committing up to $24
million to help Boyer secure local jobs and supply chains and move forward with confidence towards a low-emissions future.
"This is what our Future Made in Australia Plan is all about – supporting local Australian workers to make more things here."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
"This is about working together, government and manufacturing, to make sure important facilities around Australia, like this mill, will be fit for purpose for decades to come.
"Decarbonising our industries and manufacturing isn't just good for bringing emissions down, it makes good economic sense, as companies switch to running on not just the cleanest, but the cheapest form of energy – reliable renewables.
"Heavy industry want to use more electricity to reduce their emissions, just as Peter Dutton wants to build a much smaller electricity system that will halve heavy industrial electricity use by closing them down."
Quotes attributable to Candidate for Lyons Rebecca White:
"Boyer is a major employer in our region and across Tasmania, it has a reputation for producing quality paper products that support good, local jobs.
"I'm a proud backer of Boyer and have been working with the business to help secure this support to lock in Tassie's place as the home of quality paper-making, powered by renewables.
"I acknowledge the efforts of the dedicated workers at Boyer, unions and management who have worked together to find solutions so that Boyer can have a sustainable future for many years to come."
