Tasmania is poised to benefit from the new bilateral framework on critical minerals and rare earths signed between Australia and the United States, according to the Tasmanian Government.
In a news release, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the agreement presents an important opportunity for Tasmania to strengthen its role in Australia’s sovereign manufacturing and resource capability.
“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.
The Premier met with Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres to discuss the role of Tasmania’s major industries in contributing to national capability and resilience.
“It is clear the challenges faced by our major industrials cannot be resolved by one government,” Premier Rockliff said. “This landmark deal with the US should back in Tasmania’s critical minerals and rare earth capabilities.”
The Tasmanian Government said it has made targeted investments to support the state’s critical minerals strategy, focusing on identifying and extracting key resources to underpin future industrial development.
“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,” Premier Rockliff said.
He noted that manganese, which is included on Australia’s critical minerals list, has been a focus area for the state’s industrial investment. “Pleasingly, manganese is on the critical minerals list and that’s why we supported the Liberty Bell Bay smelter,” he said.
Premier Rockliff added that the Tasmanian Government continues to support local manufacturers and resource operators through measures such as discounted energy supply.
“Our Government is doing what we can by providing major industrials heavily discounted power to support their long-term viability,” he said.
“We are working with the Federal Government on the pathway forward for Bell Bay Aluminium. Regarding Liberty Bell Bay, we are focused on a positive, long-term outcome for the workers, the community, and Tasmanian taxpayers.”
The Tasmanian Government said it will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth to ensure that the state’s resources and manufacturing sectors can take advantage of the opportunities created under the Australia–US critical minerals framework.
