Alcoa reviews production at aluminium smelter

Images and Videos (1)

Geelong faces devastation if Alcoa goes

skynews.com.au

From other news sites (2)

Alcoa and its new aluminium smelter

thewall.com.au | 8:01 pm Feb 8, 2012
- A new aluminium smelter has been launched in Geelong by Alcoa
- Alan Cransberg works as the managing director at Alcoa
- Cesar Melhem is the Victorian secretary at the Australian Workers Union

Story In detail

Carbon tax blamed for Alcoa review

thewall.com.au | 4:32 am Feb 8, 2012

The federal government's carbon tax is partly to blame for Alcoa reviewing operations at its Geelong smelter, which employs 600 Victorians, state treasurer Kim Wells says.
Alcoa says it will examine the viability of its aluminum smelter at Point Henry in Geelong because low metal prices, a high Australian dollar and input costs have made it unprofitable.
In a press release on Wednesday announcing the review, Alcoa of Australia managing director Alan Cransberg said it was important to note a future price on carbon had not prompted the review although it would be an additional cost.
Mr Wells said the federal government's carbon tax was partly to blame.
"This must be the worst possible time to introduce a carbon tax," he told state parliament.
He said the government would engage closely with the company and local community while Alcoa undertook its review, which was expected to be completed by the end of June.
Opposition industry spokesman Tim Holding earlier said it was estimated every job at the smelter was linked to another three in the Geelong region.
"So do the maths yourself of what the impact of uncertainty around the Point Henry smelter will create in the Geelong region," he told reporters on Wednesday.
Mr Holding said while Labor was in power it slashed WorkCover premiums, payroll tax and had a significant investment creation program.
"(Premier) Mr (Ted) Baillieu, through his inaction and through his indecision, has taken the wrecking ball to Victoria's reputation as the jobs engine room of the Australian economy," he said.
"This is bad news for Victorian families."
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews urged the premier to release a jobs plan but stopped short of calling for a direct government bailout package to secure the Alcoa jobs.
"Doing nothing is not acceptable."

Geelong faces devastation if Alcoa goes

skynews.com.au | 1:43 pm Feb 8, 2012

Alcoa has launched a major review of its aluminium smelter in Geelong, sparking fears that 600 jobs could be axed in Victoria's second largest city. Alcoa on Wednesday said it would review the viability of the aluminium smelter at Point Henry given higher…
Alcoa reviews production at aluminium smelter

afr.com | 3:14 am Feb 8, 2012