Chris Donovan from the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) says the Australian Government’s latest commitment to provide up to $3 million to secure wages for Liberty Bell Bay’s workforce is not a “long-term solution”.
Announced on Wednesday (22 April), the multimillion-dollar package temporarily guarantees wages for around 220 workers at the Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter, while administrators attempt to fast-track its sale.
Donovan says the move provides immediate relief to workers and their families but cautions any realistic sale timeline will 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,” he says.
“The site needs its workforce in place to be sold, and that process is likely to require months, not weeks.”
In late March 2026, Liberty Bell Bay — Australia’s only manganese smelter — entered into voluntary administration after a protracted dispute between creditors and former owner GFG, with Ernst & Young (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.
Donovan notes that 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,” the national secretary says.
The AWU is reiterating its call for federal and state governments to extend wage guarantees to ensure the smelter’s workforce remains in place during administration.
“We are calling on governments to build on this first step and commit to the ongoing support needed to see this through,” Donovan says.
“Anything less puts jobs, families, and an entire regional economy at risk.”
Bell Bay joint unions are continuing to work with administrators, governments, and potential buyers to secure a sustainable future for Liberty Bell Bay and its workforce.
According to Business Tasmania, Liberty Bell Bay has not been in production since early June 2025.
The Tasmanian Government approved a secured loan of $20 million to the company to enable the purchase of manganese ore required to support a restart of operations. The support aimed to assist workers, contractors, and businesses in the local supply chain by facilitating a return to production.
Despite ongoing engagement, the company did not meet numerous conditions attached to the loan and a restart did not occur. The loan expired on 18 January 2026 without repayment.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Unsplash
