Resources Minister Madeleine King insists Federal Government is pulling its weight on saving lithium industry

Resources Minister Madeleine King insists the Federal Government is still working with the State to save WA’s under-pressure lithium industry. Premier Roger Cook and Mines Minister David Michael last week announced a $150 million lifeline to lithium miners, as the local struggles from being undercut by Indonesian producers. Asked on Sunday if the Albanese Government was leaving the State to rescue the miners, Ms King insisted the Federal Government was stepping up to the plate. “Lithium is facing extraordinary international market pressures like no other commodity at the moment in this market,” the Brand MP said. “We are working with international partners and in fact I’ve signed... about eight or nine different agreements with governments right around the world to bring in investment through low-interest loans through government credit agencies to support this industry. “We’ve invested millions into how we can work together with the State Labor government here in Western Australia, and others as well, on shared infrastructure for the processing of critical minerals.” Ms King accused the Federal Opposition of abandoning the industry. “I’ll tell you who is leaving WA lithium resources companies to carry the bag — and that is Peter Dutton and the Federal Liberals and Nationals,” she said. “It is staggering that Peter Dutton and the Liberals and the Nationals have opposed a 10 per cent production tax incentive to go to the processing of lithium. “Who is not helping here — and in fact doing the opposite of helping — is Peter Dutton. “And that’s why Western Australians cannot trust him when it comes to the resources future of this State and this country.” Mineral Resources last month announced it would close its Bald Hill lithium operations in the Goldfields, with Arcadium Lithium’s Mt Cattlin operation in the Goldfields also recently shut down. The price of lithium has fallen $US8000 a tonne to less than $US900 a tonne in the last two years.