21 October 2025
Jeremy Rockliff, Premier
Tasmania is ready to benefit from the landmark bilateral framework on critical minerals and rare earths signed with the United States.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania should share in the benefits of this significant deal.
“As a producer of critical minerals and rare earths, Tasmania can play an important role in Australia’s sovereign capability on the back of this rare earths deal,” Premier Rockliff said.
“As a producer of critical minerals and rare earths, Tasmania can play an important role in Australia’s sovereign capability on the back of this rare earths deal,” Premier Rockliff said.
Premier Rockliff met with Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres on Friday to discuss the critical importance of Tasmania's major industrials to Australia’s sovereign capability.
“It is clear the challenges faced by our major industrials cannot be resolved by one Government.
"This landmark deal with the US should back in Tasmania’s critical minerals and rare earth capabilities.
"We recognised the opportunity here in Tasmania and that's why we've invested in our critical minerals strategy to support the development of identifying and extracting critical minerals.
"Pleasingly, manganese is on the critical minerals list and that's why we supported the Liberty Bell Bay smelter.
"Our Government is doing what we can by providing major industrials heavily discounted power to support their long-term viability.
"We are working with the Federal Government on the pathway forward for Bell Bay Aluminium.
"Regarding Liberty Bell Bay, we are focussed on a positive, long-term outcome for the workers, the community, and Tasmanian taxpayers.”