BELL BAY JOINT UNIONS have called today’s State and Federal Government commitment, providing up to $3 million to secure wages for Liberty Bell Bay's workforce, a reprieve for workers that were on the precipice of losing their income on Friday.

The package, announced this morning by Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres, temporarily guarantees wages for around 220 workers at the smelter while administrators attempt to fast-track its sale.

AWU assistant national secretary Chris Donovan spoke on behalf of Bell Bay Joint Unions -- the AWU, Mining and Energy Union (MEU), Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) -- and said the move provided immediate relief to workers and their families, but cautioned any realistic sale timeline would require further wage support.

“This funding is welcome and it matters -- it keeps food on the table and a roof over the heads of hundreds of working families,” Mr Donovan said.

“But let’s be clear: this is a short-term lifeline, not a long-term solution. This site needs its workforce in place to be sold, and that process is likely to require months, not weeks.”

MEU general president Grahame Kelly said today’s announcement was welcome but both governments needed to go further. 

“Bell Bay workers have received some good news this morning, but unfortunately it’s not good enough,” said Mr Kelly.

“We need to see more money flowing to ensure certainty for local families as the sale of the smelter is finalised.

“Local workers should not have to pay the tab for the collapsing GFG empire whose financial mismanagement led to these problems. 

“The government is not responsible for this economic vandalism, but they do have a duty to avert potential economic disaster."

Liberty Bell Bay, Australia’s only manganese smelter, entered voluntary administration on March 23 after a protracted dispute between creditors and former owner GFG, with EY appointed to oversee administration.

Despite strong market interest and expectations of an accelerated sale, industry experts and unions have consistently warned that securing a buyer for such a unique, strategic asset cannot be rushed.

Mr Donovan said the smelter’s importance to Tasmania and the national economy demanded a more sustained intervention.

“This is a nationally significant asset -- the only one of its kind in Australia - and it supports hundreds of direct jobs and hundreds more in the community,” he said.

“You can’t flick the switch on a sale like this and hope for the best. If it’s even possible to rush a sale, that risks undermining the very jobs we’re trying to save.”

The AWU reiterated its call for both levels of government to extend wage guarantees to ensure the smelter’s workforce remains in place during administration.

“What workers need now is certainty -- not just for the next pay cycle, but for the months ahead,” Mr Donovan said.

“We are calling on governments to build on this first step and commit to the ongoing support needed to see this through. Anything less puts jobs, families and an entire regional economy at risk.”

Bell Bay Joint Unions said they would continue working with administrators, governments and potential buyers to secure a sustainable future for Liberty Bell Bay and its workforce.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science will hold site visits and public hearings in Perth and Melbourne over the next fortnight as part of its inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry, and any challenges and opportunities for the industry within the context of a circular economy.

Committee Chair, Rob Mitchell MP, said, "The committee is ready to hit the road to see the Australian tyre industry in action.

"On Wednesday (April 22), the committee will undertake site visits to assorted tyre recycling facilities in the greater Perth region. These visits will be followed by a public hearing in Perth on Thursday (April 23), where we will hear from tyre recyclers and government representatives about work underway to improve circular outcomes for end-of-life tyres in Western Australia.

"On Thursday, April 30, the committee will visit additional tyre recycling facilities in Melbourne and the National Transport Research Organisation’s recycled materials science laboratory in Port Melbourne.

"The following day, on Friday May 1, we will hear from a broad range of stakeholders with a role in driving the Australian tyre industry at a public hearing in Melbourne. Among the witnesses giving evidence at this public hearing is Tyre Stewardship Australia, who has been responsible for implementing Australia’s Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme since 2014."

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Perth public hearing

Date: Thursday, 23 April 2026
Time: 9:00 am - 12:20 pm (AWST)
Location: City West Lotteries House Conference Room, 2 Delhi Street, West Perth WA 6005

Melbourne public hearing

Date: Friday, 1 May 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (AEST)
Location: Gowanbrae Community Centre, 2A Marigold Crescent, Gowanbrae VIC 3043

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will be holding hearings in Adelaide on May 4 and 5 as part of its inquiry into the 2025 Federal Election.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "People across Australia have told the committee about their experiences of aggressive and confrontational behaviour at polling booths. Hearing about these experiences contributes to the committee’s efforts to ensure voting at the next election is the peaceful expression of civic pride it should be.

"When the committee visits Adelaide, South Australians are encouraged to talk about their own experiences of the 2025 Federal Election. The evidence gathered will inform the committee’s efforts to prevent poor behaviour at future federal elections," Mr Laxale said.

To register interest in making a five-minute statement at upcoming hearings, contact the Committee Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The committee also expects to discuss South Australia’s landmark Truth in Political Advertising laws, to assess whether similar laws should apply to federal elections.

Further information on the 2025 election inquiry can be found at the inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 4 May and Tuesday 5 May 2026
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 65 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000

Programs for these upcoming hearings will be advertised on the Committee’s public hearings webpage as they are finalised. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced three new inquiries. These inquiries will consider the management of client privacy by public sector entities, the administration of the age pension, and Defence procurement.

Chair of the Committee, Josh Burns MP, said, "These inquiries address important areas identified by the committee for further examination, including issues raised in recent Australian National Audit Office audits."

Inquiry into the management of client privacy in the Australian public sector

The committee will examine the frameworks used to identify and manage privacy risks, and meet the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988, in public sector entities that manage information on private individuals.

The committee will also examine the ability of public sector entities holding personal information to respond effectively to data breaches, cyber threats, and 'malicious actors'.

Inquiry into the administration of the Age Pension

The committee will examine the Department of Social Services’ and Services Australia’s administration of the Age Pension with reference to the effectiveness of oversight arrangements, processes for assessing applicant and recipient eligibility, and arrangements to communicate and manage engagement with applicants and recipients.

Inquiry into Defence’s procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3)

The committee will examine any matters contained in and associated with Auditor-General Report No. 26 2025-26 Defence’s Procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3) with particular reference to whether Defence conducted an effective tender process, and whether Defence established effective contracting arrangements to support the achievement of value for money outcomes.

Submissions to these inquiries addressing their terms of reference are invited by Friday, May 8, 2026.

Details of these inquiries – including terms of reference, submissions received and public hearing schedules – can be accessed on the committee’s website.

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