Liberty closure devastating for workers, Rockliff must explain Hydro’s role

Today's news that Liberty Bell Bay will begin closing, with around 250 workers facing redundancy, is devastating for workers, contractors, their families and the entire Northern Tasmanian community.

There was a buyer prepared to invest, keep the smelter operating and keep local people in work. Now that deal has fallen over.

Hydro belongs to the Tasmanian people. It answers to the Rockliff Government. If the power deal was one of the reasons the sale fell over, the Premier needs to front up and explain why.

Right now, our priority is the workers. They deserve proper support, help finding new jobs and access to mental health services. Losing your livelihood overnight takes a huge toll on workers and their families.

These workers have done everything asked of them, and they deserved a Premier who was prepared to do what it took to save their jobs.

This outcome will hit far more than the workers inside the gate. It will hit truck drivers, contractors, engineering firms, suppliers, cafes, pubs, local businesses and families right across Northern Tasmania.

Premier Rockliff owes these workers an explanation. Tasmanians deserve a Premier who fights as hard for their jobs as he fights to save his own.