Rockliff must make $20 million Liberty offer formal

Support, retraining and help into new jobs for Liberty Bell Bay workers is essential. But the Rockliff Government shouldn't be treating the closure as a done deal while a last-ditch opportunity to sell the site may still remain.

The Acting Premier says the State and Federal governments offered a further $20 million package on Wednesday night. If that offer was genuine, it must now be put formally and immediately on the table.

The State Government, Federal Government, prospective purchaser, administrators and Hydro Tasmania must immediately get back in the room and determine whether a viable agreement can still be reached.

There are serious questions about Hydro Tasmania’s role in the closure and Premier Rockliff’s control over government businesses.

The FORGE AHEAD program may provide useful support if the smelter ultimately closes, but retraining can't become a substitute for exhausting every option to keep Liberty operating.

These workers deserve more than help into their next job. They deserve one final effort to save the jobs they already have.

The Premier must put the claimed $20 million offer in writing, bring every party back to the table and direct Hydro Tasmania to help secure a workable power deal.

The priority must be to get the deal done.