Tomago Aluminium — one of the largest manufacturing plants in Australia — is facing an uncertain future as electricity prices skyrocket under Labor’s renewable energy policy.
The Hunter Valley smelter, which operates 24/7 and injects more than $800 million into the local economy each year, has rejected a proposed power supply contract it says is simply too expensive. Industry experts warn this could force the plant to close, sending high-paying manufacturing jobs overseas to countries like China.
If that happens, Australia won’t just lose a major employer. We’ll lose a key part of our energy security. Tomago plays a crucial role in grid stability — able to scale back demand in times of peak usage — helping to prevent blackouts across New South Wales.
Critics say Labor’s Net Zero emissions target and reliance on intermittent solar and wind energy have created an energy crisis in Australia, driving up cost of living pressures for households and industry alike. Without affordable baseload power from coal and gas, they warn, more heavy industry will be driven offshore.
And where is the Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi? Nowhere to be found. Probably doesn’t even realise this smelter is a lifeline for the Hunter Valley. He’s too busy promoting men’s health and rubbing the Big Merino’s marble nuts. Well here’s a reality check, Dan — the biggest threat to men’s mental health in the Hunter is ripping away their jobs. It’s the mortgage they can’t pay. It’s their wives leaving with the kids because they’re broke and depressed.
When you destroy industries like Tomago, you’re not just shutting down a business — you’re triggering what could be the biggest mental health crisis this nation has ever seen. And it will be right here in the Hunter, courtesy of Labor and Net Zero.
Here’s the kicker — if production shifts to China, aluminium will still be made using coal-fired power, producing far higher emissions than in Australia. It will then be imported back here, adding to carbon emissions through international shipping, all while politicians claim they are “fighting climate change.”
For the Hunter Valley, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Losing Tomago would devastate the local economy, slash jobs, and cripple supply chains for countless small businesses. It would be another blow to Australian manufacturing — and a win for foreign competitors who don’t care about climate change targets.
Tomago’s future is now in the hands of energy policy decisions being made in Canberra. If nothing changes, China will take the jobs, keep the emissions, and the Hunter will be left to pay the price.
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