MEDIA STATEMENT
January 20, 2025
Today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, and Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson visited Tomago Aluminium smelter (Tomago) and announced an aluminium production credit to help secure and bolster aluminium smelting in Australia.
Tomago also hosted the Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres and Hunter based federal MPs to highlight the critical role Tomago has towards Australian manufacturing.
The production credit, part of the Future Made in Australia Plan, puts Australia on a path to becoming a leader in green metals manufacturing, while supporting a continued strong economic future for communities that have powered the nation’s aluminium industry for generations.
Tomago CEO Jerome Dozol welcomed the news and said the investment made through the Future Made in Australia Plan demonstrates the commitment the Australian Government has towards the aluminium industry and to businesses like the Tomago smelter.
It is an important step in helping to secure businesses like Tomago for decades to come.
Tomago is a key strategic economic asset vital to Australia’s future, contributing $2.2 billion to the national economy, including $400 million spent locally
For Tomago to continue operating, we recognise the need to shift manufacturing to low-carbon aluminium.
We also recognise that there’s more work to do with our stakeholders.
Low-carbon metal production is essential to Australia’s transition to a decarbonised economy, providing the raw material needed at every stage of clean energy production as well as the everyday goods that require aluminium, including vehicles, building materials, window frames and electronics
We strongly welcome this announcement from the Federal Government which is great news for Tomago Aluminium and the wider Hunter economy.
Quotes attributable to Tomago Aluminium CEO, Jerome Dozol:
“We are at the very centre of Australian manufacturing, providing nearly 600,000 tonnes of aluminium each year right here in the Hunter region.
“This investment will provide support for onshore aluminium being manufactured at Tomago, and we will begin a new phase through the development of low-carbon aluminium.
“This sits in line with our firm commitment to decarbonise our aluminium smelting operations by 2035.
“We have over 1,000 employees, 200 fulltime contractors, and roughly 5,000 people in associated businesses who have a stake in our continued operation, and we recognise that the Federal Government’s announcement will support businesses like Tomago.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Katie Burns I 0400 544 524 I [email protected]
