Securing the future of Bell Bay Aluminium

The Albanese and Rockliff Governments are securing the future of the Bell Bay Aluminium smelter, supporting the facility’s 550 workers, their families and the 1,000 workers indirectly employed across Northern Tasmania.

We want to see Australia make more things here.

This investment will boost jobs in the region while strengthening our national sovereignty.

The agreement supports Australia's ongoing aluminium production capability and ensures all Australians share in the benefits.

The Bell Bay smelter is a major contributor to Tasmania's industrial and manufacturing sectors and is vital to the Northern Tasmanian regional economy.

The $200 million investment over five years will help secure Australia's ongoing aluminium production capability and ensures all Australians share in the benefits – while a future regional industrial strategy is developed.

The Tasmanian Government’s Northern Economic Plan identifies Bell Bay as uniquely positioned to support the next phase of Northern Tasmania's economic development.

As the region's leading industrial and clean energy precinct, Bell Bay can attract the investment, infrastructure and skilled workforce needed to establish a new generation of high-value businesses that complement Northern Tasmania's traditional strengths in manufacturing, resources and export-focused industries.

Bell Bay Aluminium is Australia’s oldest and greenest aluminium smelter, owned and operated by Rio Tinto, and uses more than 25 per cent of Tasmania's electricity.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We want Australia to make more things here and support good well-paid jobs for Tasmania.

“That’s why we’re backing Bell Bay Aluminium – supporting hundreds of workers, their families and the region while boosting Australia’s national sovereignty."

Quotes attributable to Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff:​

“We have worked closely with the Federal Government and Rio to support hundreds of jobs at BBA, hundreds of associated supply chain jobs, support our economy and back Tasmanians.

​“This investment also provides certainty for the supply chain, with many Tasmanian businesses having the confidence to invest, grow and do business.

​​“Our Northern Economic Plan highlights the central role the Bell Bay precinct will play in Northern Tasmania’s future growth, leveraging renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, export capability and strategic industrial land to attract investment and create jobs.”

​​Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres:

"The Albanese Government is backing Australian industry, Australian workers and Australian manufacturing by securing Bell Bay Aluminium smelter while a future plan for the Bell Bay region is worked through.

​"This joint investment secures hundreds of local jobs in regional Tasmania and provides certainty for the workers, their families and the businesses that rely on its ongoing operations.

​"The Bell Bay region has been facing difficult industrial circumstances, and the Commonwealth is backing in the Tasmanian Government and Rio Tinto as they work through the future of the facility and the region.”

​Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan:

“This support package is in addition to the power deal, which has been locked in for the next five years.

​“We have delivered a globally competitive and lowest possible electricity price for Bell Bay Aluminium through Hydro Tas. Together with this joint package, we have secured 550 direct jobs in the region and $5 billion of economic activity over the next five years.

​​“With its deep-water port, advanced manufacturing capability and skilled workforce, the Bell Bay region has the foundations to remain a major industrial and economic powerhouse.”