The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, visited Whyalla today to discuss the Gillard Government’s plan for a clean energy future with local workers, industry and community representatives.

Mr Combet took the opportunity of the visit to discuss the Government’s carbon price policy with management, workers and local union representatives at OneSteel’s Whyalla steel manufacturing plant.

These meetings focussed on the assistance the Government is providing for the steel industry under its $9.2 billion Jobs and Competitiveness Program and its separate $300 million Steel Transformation Plan which has been welcomed by OneSteel.

He also met the Mayor of Whyalla, Jim Pollock, and local business and community representatives at the City of Whyalla’s council chambers where the potential for the region to benefit from the development of renewable energy sources like solar power was on the agenda.

Mr Combet said the Government had been very mindful of the importance of supporting jobs in Whyalla and at OneSteel in designing its carbon price policy.

“The policy includes a very significant level of support for jobs in the steel industry. It should be noted that having addressed OneSteel’s concerns regarding carbon pricing, the company still faces the pressure of a high Australian dollar and high iron ore and coking coal prices,” Mr Combet said.

“It will also provide support for research and development, and innovation and capital expenditures within the main steel-making operations.”

“This is very important news for people in Whyalla and for workers and families and local businesses who depend upon the steelworks here.”

Mr Combet criticised the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for trying to whip up fear and anxiety over the carbon price in an important region like Whyalla.

Mr Abbott’s conduct is hypocritical because he is now threatening that the Opposition would vote against legislation for the Government’s $300 million Steel Transformation Plan.

“Despite all his prancing around and all his alleged concern for steel workers’ jobs, Mr Abbott has said he will not support the Steel Transformation Plan,” Mr Combet said.

“That means he is not prepared to support jobs at OneSteel in Whyalla which exposes the sheer hypocrisy of his blatantly misleading scare campaign on a carbon price.”

Mr Combet thanked OneSteel’s Whyalla chief executive Mark Parry, Mr Pollock, and the OneSteel workers for their hospitality and said he looked forward to visiting other regional communities in coming weeks to discuss the Gillard Government’s plan for a clean energy future.