Federal Throsby MP Jennie George and the Australian Workers' Union seem to think BlueScope was overstating the situation and needlessly scaremongering.

The logical extension of BlueScope boss Noel Cornish's statement was that the Port Kembla steelworks could close. That would result in the loss of 4700 BlueScope jobs and a massive multiplier effect across the Illawarra.

As the global crisis has proved, even a slowdown has a dire impact on this region.

Of course, it is naive to believe the company would not naturally want to position itself the best it could under any new carbon emission regime. Steel production has plunged 50 per cent in a matter of months and company executives, workers and shareholders are jittery.

As we have said previously, if the Government does not provide special protection for the relatively small and vulnerable steel industry in Australia then that work will, in effect, go to big polluting countries overseas.

And the planet benefits more from having a better-run Australian operation.

While some politicians may feel Mr Cornish's comments were indelicate given there have been high-powered, behind-the-scenes talks in Canberra, he is acting not just in his company's interests but those of thousands of families in the Illawarra when he tells it how it is.

BlueScope does not make a habit of seeking bad news headlines.

This community deserves a Government response to the company's concerns, not a public slaying of the messenger.