One of Australia’s four aluminium smelters, which is powered predominantly by renewable energy, isn’t eligible for a federal government green credit scheme.
The confirmation raises further questions about the future of Tasmania’s Bell Bay Aluminium as it faces a fast-approaching deadline to lock in a long-term power contract.
The smelter in the state’s north employs more than 500 people and consumes about a quarter of the island’s power, which mostly comes from green sources.
Labor’s federal MP for the region, Jess Teesdale, on Tuesday said the smelter would not be eligible for the $2 billion Green Aluminium Production Credit scheme.
The scheme is designed to provide support for “clean” production of aluminium over a decade.
