The country’s newest industry minister – the third in 19 months – has vowed to keep an eye on the steel industry, BlueScope and the Illawarra’s long-term economic development.
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Greg Hunt – who was sworn in as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science on July 19 – also said he would visit the region, should an invitation be forthcoming.
Mr Hunt replaced Christopher Pyne, who had held the position since September.
Mr Pyne came under fire in December after a comment made in Parliament suggested he didn’t know where the Port Kembla steelworks were located.
The then industry minister didn’t visit the Illawarra during his 10-month stint in the portfolio.
A spokesman for Mr Hunt said the newly-appointed minister “would be delighted to receive an invitation to visit”.
“Indeed, the minister is very familiar and engaged with BlueScope’s Western Port facility in his electorate [Flinders, Victoria].”
The Mercury asked Mr Hunt a series of questions, including his position on saving the steel industry, whether he supported a procurement policy mandating a percentage use of Australian steel in government projects and, if not, what he would do to help the ailing industry.
In response, the spokesman said the government “recognises the challenges facing Australia's steel industry” and had delivered “significant policy reforms” to support a competitive industry.
“Minister Hunt welcomed BlueScope’s announcement in October 2015 that it would continue making steel at Port Kembla, and will continue to monitor developments with BlueScope and long-term economic development in the Illawarra,” he said.
“If there are concerns about dumped imports, then industry has access to Australia’s anti-dumping system. There are now 16 anti-dumping tariffs in place across BlueScope products imported from six different countries.”
Meanwhile, NSW Industry Minister Anthony Roberts said the state government was “spending more on steel than probably any previous state government ever has”.
Mr Roberts, who has previously told the Mercury any proposal to mandate the use of Australian steel products was “fundamentally flawed”, was again quizzed about the industry during a visit to Wollongong this week.
“You can’t have all your eggs as a region in one basket,” he said.
“So, we will have a successful steel industry into the future, but we’re also going to have advanced manufacturing, we’re going to have innovative companies, high-tech startups.
“That’s what the Illawarra deserves, that’s what we’re helping to facilitate.”
- EDITORIAL: PAGE 15