The Morrison Government’s economic plan is securing jobs and critical links in Australia’s supply chain as part of our plan for a strong economy and a stronger future.

A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $50 million as part of a $400 million expansion of the Nyrstar smelter in Tasmania’s south, which will also benefit the smelter’s South Australia facility in Port Pirie.

The project will increase production by up to 30 per cent and boost energy efficiency at Nyrstar’s Hobart site in Tasmania, by replacing and upscaling a 100 year old facility with a new electrolysis plant where the zinc is produced.

The Prime Minister said making things in Australia and doing it well was critical to the Coalition’s plan to secure jobs for a strong economy and a stronger future for Australia.

“Our economic plan is enabling this investment in Nyrstar that will secure around 500 direct Tasmanian jobs, over 1,100 direct South Australian jobs, and over 5,000 indirect jobs across both states for generations to come,” the Prime Minister said.

“The new electrolysis plant will take advantage of new advanced manufacturing technology that improves Nyrstar’s performance and global competitiveness.

“This will ensure the Tasmanian facility will thrive for another 100 years and more, securing the long-term future of operations in both Hobart and Port Pirie.

“The election will be a choice between a Coalition Government that delivers a strong economy that enables investment in Australian manufacturing capability or a Labor Government that will weaken the manufacturing sector by making Australia a harder place to do business with higher taxes and higher energy costs.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Morrison Government’s investment in Nyrstar was about securing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.

“Australia and the world need zinc. Zinc is in demand because it extends the life of steel and is an essential part in almost all construction, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, communications and other everyday products,” Minister Taylor said.

“Together, an upgraded Hobart site and the existing Port Pirie site will act as a critical minerals hub that will sustain mineral processing skills and add significant value to Australian raw materials that would otherwise be processed offshore.

“This investment will secure Australian zinc manufacturing. Only a Coalition Government will deliver for the future of manufacturing in Australia, with our $2.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, driving growth and innovation in our manufacturing sector.”

Assistant Minister for Industry Development Jonno Duniam said the investment would secure jobs and a strong economy for Tasmanians for generations to come.

“Every year, Nyrstar spends around $250 million in Tasmania, from wages, to contractors, to power and water,” the Assistant Minister said.

“This investment will secure that significant economic injection and all of the flow-on benefits that brings to families across Tasmania, today and into the future.”

Liberal Candidate for Lyons Susie Bower said this builds on Nyrstar’s important role as an employer in Southern Tasmania for more than a century.

“This investment will secure work for many families across Lyons for generations to come,” Ms Bower said.

“Importantly, it will also create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase which will have huge flow-on benefits for our community.”

Liberal Candidate for Clark Will Coats said this was great news for Hobart.

“Nyrstar employs second and third generation Tasmanians, and now that proud tradition can carry on to the next generation,” Mr Coats said.