Member for Grey Tom Venning MP has welcomed the joint Federal, South Australian, and Tasmanian State Government announcement of a $105 million transitionary funding package for Nyrstar’s Hobart and Port Pirie facilities.

While this funding is positive for the short term future of Nyrstar in Port Pirie, and for long term critical minerals security in Australia, Mr Venning has characterised the announcement as a ‘sigh of relief’ for a community that has been ‘left in a state of limbo’ following the expiry of the previous funding package on May 1^st 2026.

Quotes attributable to Tom Venning MP Member for Grey

“While this funding is incredibly welcome news for Nyrstar, and for the critical minerals industry in Australia, smelter workers and Port Pirie families should never have been left in a state of limbo for over a month wondering if they still had a future.”

“The delay in communications has also been at a political level where the Hon Tim Ayres Minister for Industry and Innovation, who despite an earlier request, only found time last week to brief me through his advisors, on where the negotiations were at with Nyrstar.”

“The Port Pirie community has proven its resilience, and we cannot underestimate how much of a sigh of relief this announcement will bring them. The hope is that Port Pirie can now start to move into a period of growth and forward momentum, where industry, workers and their families can start planning their long term futures.”

“Premier Malinauskas has confirmed that the $105 million package will sustain operations at both the Hobart and Port Pirie facilities until the end of November. As that deadline approaches, I hope the next round of negotiations will be resolved before then, so the people of Port Pirie don’t have to endure another period of uncertainty.”

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