THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING

STATEMENT
LABOR’S NET ZERO IS KILLING AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY

Wednesday 25 March 2026

The Albanese Government’s hypocritical Net Zero policies are continuing to kill Australian manufacturing and industry.

The latest to be impacted by Labor’s Net Zero madness: the Boyne aluminium smelter – Australia’s second largest aluminium smelter.

It follows the bailout of Whyalla steelworks, Glencore’s Mount Isa copper smelter, Nyrstar Australia’s smelters and the Tomago aluminium smelter – all struggling to remain viable due to rising energy costs. 

Despite this, Labor continues to bury its head in the sand.

In October last year, Industry Minister Tim Ayres said Boyne Island was going from “strength to strength.”

Just last month, the Minister told us that the Boyne Island aluminium smelter’s switch to renewables would help it stay competitive and deliver cheaper power.

There is a stark difference between the Minister’s comments and reality.

After nearly four years of Labor, energy prices are up 38 per cent, crippling productivity and sovereign manufacturing, and sending industry offshore.

Under the Albanese government, it isn’t a Future Made in Australia, it is a future made overseas.

[ENDS]