Time is running out for BlueScope’s Port Kembla steelworks and an Illawarra Labor MP says an update on NSW Government assistance is needed as a matter of priority.
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Ryan Park has penned a letter to Premier Mike Baird that calls for an “urgent update” on his discussions with BlueScope, particularly regarding a request for payroll tax relief.
In NSW Parliament on August 12, the Opposition spokesman for the region, and Keira MP, asked Mr Baird if he would agree to mandate a minimum ratio of Australian-made steel was used in major New South Wales infrastructure projects.
The Premier responded: “I have met with representatives of BlueScope Steel, which is working carefully on a strategy to combat the challenges it currently faces. The Government is happy to remain engaged with BlueScope Steel”.
Five weeks’ on, Mr Park has heard nothing about the negotiations with BlueScope or the assistance to be offered, despite the issue “becoming more and more urgent as days tick over”.
“BlueScope Steel management have made it clear that a decision about their long term future is only weeks away and that payroll tax relief is part of the assistance they are looking at from the NSW Government,” he said.
“Time is starting to run out and I now urge the Premier to outline exactly where the NSW Government is at in relation to direct assistance for BlueScope and, in turn, providing the certainty that hundreds of local families are looking for as we head up to Christmas.”
Mr Baird’s office was contacted for comment, however given the Premier is currently on leave, the Mercury’s request was forwarded to NSW Industry Minister Anthony Roberts.
“The NSW Government remains in discussion with Bluescope Steel and its stakeholders as it works through this process,” Mr Roberts said.
“This was made clear at the recent forum in Wollongong, under a spirit of co-operation and bipartisanship and the respect of this process should continue.”
NSW Labor indicated in its 10-point Illawarra jobs’ plan, revealed in Wollongong on September 4, that it would work in a bipartisan way to support BlueScope.
One of the plan’s points was to “negotiate and agree an immediate assistance package addressing BlueScope’s request for a reduction in payroll tax, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Workcover charges”.
