The NSW Greens are calling on the state government to take up part ownership of the Port Kembla steelworks.
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At the party’s state conference in Gloucester at the weekend, the NSW Greens unanimously endorsed the campaign to mandate the use of at least 50 per cent Australian steel in all taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects.
Greens senator Lee Rhiannon said the party was also calling on the state government to secure the steelworks’ future by taking up part ownership.
‘‘The party called for the state government to take up an equity position in the Port Kembla steel mill in return for the financial lifeline that would be thrown to it,’’ she said.
‘‘That would give the people of NSW a real say in the future of the blast furnace and in ensuring that it is at the forefront of reducing the use of coal and the greenhouse gas emissions it causes.
‘‘The Greens are convinced that public ownership is critical to pushing the envelope of technology while securing jobs.’’
By becoming an early adopter of low-emissions steelmaking, the region would be positioned as the source of choice for nations reducing their carbon footprint, Ms Rhiannon said.
"Our vision for the Illawarra is as a world leader in clean tech, from the materials that are used through to developing state-of-the-art renewable energy and public transport solutions,’’ she said.
Ms Rhiannon described the future of Port Kembla’s steelworks as a statewide and national priority.
‘‘It cannot be left up to a company that is prepared to sacrifice the strategic and economic importance of the blast furnace to fatten up its profits,’’ she said.
‘‘The failure of BlueScope’s management to read the wind of change and its stick-in-the-mud approach to the new lower-emissions steelmaking is a testament to their tunnel vision approach to profits.’’
Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane will meet BlueScope Steel management this week. He has also committed to a meeting with key stakeholders, including unions and local MPs, to find a long-term solution to the industry’s woes.
Mr Macfarlane has indicated he would explore a procurement policy that would set a minimum ratio of Australian steel for taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects.
