Bobby. wrote on Feb 18^th, 2014 at 1:16pm:

I also made this point - and for that reason I think the Nero analogy is a good one.

Bam wrote on Feb 18^th, 2014 at 2:20pm:
o review Point Henry smelter at Anglesea






Thu 09 Feb 2012
By takver      
Geelong
Alcoa
aluminium
Anglesea
electricity
subsidisation
 

Alcoa have announced a review of the future of Point Henry Smelter near Anglesea in a press release to the Australian Stock Exchange. The smelter at Point Henry has been operating for 49 years and employs about 600 people. Maybe the government subsidies that prop up an inefficient industrial plant need to be redirected into reskilling, retraining and relocating the 600 odd workers that face losing their jobs. This could provide the perfect opportunity for job creation in the renewable sector with the right range of government incentives. Sadly, the Baillieu track record on wind farms is beholden to the anti-wind farm lobby with Future wind power development in Victoria stifled by draconian planning regulations.

Alcoa also has an aluminium plant at Portland with newer technology which employs a similar number of people and is not under review.

"A combination of factors, including metal prices, input costs and exchange rates, have resulted in the Point Henry smelter becoming unprofitable," said Alan Cransberg, Alcoa of Australia Managing Director. "Together with our employees, we have worked hard to minimise costs and improve margins, but the current situation makes it difficult for Point Henry to be globally competitive in the foreseeable future. Our goal is for Point Henry to continue operating and meet its profitability targets. However one possible outcome of the review is that production at Point Henry may be curtailed. I know this is unsettling news that creates uncertainty for our employees and the many people that depend on the smelter for their livelihood. We will do all we can to ensure the smelter is competitive."

The aluminium rolling mill at Point Henry and Anglesea power station are not included in the review which aims to be completed by June 2012. Alan Cransberg said that the review into the Point Henry smelter had not been prompted by the price on carbon due to be introduced from July 1st 2012, but is primarily due to low metal prices, a high Australian dollar, and input costs. He said that the Point Henry smelter is already losing money and the carbon price would just add to that situation.

Alan Cransberg told the Age that the smelter had boosted productivity by 20 per cent in the past four years, but that this was still insufficient in reducing costs to make the plant competitive.

Watch as the Australian Workers Union pushes politicians from both sides to work out ways to increase inefficient subsidies to keep the plant open. "It should have been upgraded during the many, many good years. The company's lack of investment in Point Henry amounts to exploitation of the people of Victoria, and of Geelong in particular." said AWU Victorian Secretary Cesar Melhem. "To turn around now and consider cut-backs, or worse, is outrageous, particularly in the light of the assistance given the company over the years in terms of energy concessions."

"There should be urgent talks at the highest levels of government to prevent this major employer and exporter from doing a slash and burn without consideration for the workers and the state that has supported it." said Cesar Melhem. "Both Alcoa at Point Henry and Portland have been the subject of cost-cutting over recent years. However, at this time there is no question mark over the future of the Portland operation, simply because the company has invested in the latest technology there," he said.

If the smelter is already losing money with heavy subsidisation of carbon intensive coal fired electricity costs by the state Government, then maybe it is time for this energy intensive and inefficient smelter to close. The state Government in October 2011 renewed the Alcoa Anglesea Coal Mine 50 year lease extension despite community concern and opposition.

Closing the smelter would reduce the power requirements from the Anglesea power station which could easily transfer it's power generation to wind farms, and in the future, wave powered and geothermal energy production. The money saved from subsidising inefficient and carbon polluting industries could be directed to skills retraining and relocation for affected workers in the smelter and power station. But with the Baillieu government beholden to the anti-wind farm lobby with Future wind power development in Victoria stifled by draconian planni
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adelcrow wrote on Feb 18^th, 2014 at 3:07pm:

Aluminium producer Alcoa confirms decision to close Point Henry smelter, rolling mills
Updated 3 minutes ago


VIDEO: Alcoa Australia boss Alan Cransberg addresses the media (ABC News)
PHOTO: The closure of the smelter would result in the loss of about 500 jobs. (AAP: Julian Smith)
RELATED STORY: No decision yet on Point Henry smelter: Alcoa
MAP: Geelong 3220
Aluminium producer Alcoa has announced it will close its Point Henry smelter and two rolling mills in Australia, putting almost 1,000 people out of work.

Alcoa employs 500 workers at the Geelong smelter and about 480 at the rolling mills at Geelong and at Yennora, New South Wales.

The decision to shut the facilities was made at a meeting of the Alcoa Australia board this morning.

Alcoa Australia chairman and managing director Alan Cransberg briefed his employees and called it a sad and significant moment in the history of the company.

"Sixty per cent of employers have been with us for 10 years or more," he said.

A lot of the workers half expected this, [but] it is still a shock when it gets announced.
Alan Cransberg, Alcoa Australia chairman
"We are a large part of the Geelong community and we are proud of the contribution we have made over 50 years.

"A lot of the workers half expected this, [but] it is still a shock when it gets announced."

The smelter will be closed in August and the rolling mills will wrap up operations at the end of this year.

Alcoa says a comprehensive review of the 50-year-old smelter says it has no prospect of becoming financially viable.

The company is closing the rolling mills because of excess capacity.

"We recognise how deeply this decision impacts employees at the affected facilities and are committed to supporting them through this transition," company chief executive officer Klaus Kleinfeld said.

"Despite the hard work of the local teams, these assets are no longer competitive and are not financially sustainable today or into the future."

Alcoa's decision disappointing but predictable: Hockey

Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey says Alcoa's decision is disappointing but it was predictable because the company knew in 2012 that the plant was not financially viable.

"The Labor government gave them $40 million and they closed two years later," he said.

"The fact that they're closing two years after receiving a $40 million government grant illustrates the fact that you've got to be very careful with taxpayers' money."

Mr Hockey says no-one should be despondent about the closure.

"This is one of a number of businesses that will pass, but many other businesses will open," he said.

"If you get entirely   

adelcrow wrote on Feb 18^th, 2014 at 3:13pm:

Aluminium producer Alcoa confirms decision to close Point Henry smelter, rolling mills
Updated 3 minutes ago


VIDEO: Alcoa Australia boss Alan Cransberg addresses the media (ABC News)
PHOTO: The closure of the smelter would result in the loss of about 500 jobs. (AAP: Julian Smith)
RELATED STORY: No decision yet on Point Henry smelter: Alcoa
MAP: Geelong 3220
Aluminium producer Alcoa has announced it will close its Point Henry smelter and two rolling mills in Australia, putting almost 1,000 people out of work.

Alcoa employs 500 workers at the Geelong smelter and about 480 at the rolling mills at Geelong and at Yennora, New South Wales.

The decision to shut the facilities was made at a meeting of the Alcoa Australia board this morning.

Alcoa Australia chairman and managing director Alan Cransberg briefed his employees and called it a sad and significant moment in the history of the company.

"Sixty per cent of employers have been with us for 10 years or more," he said.

A lot of the workers half expected this, [but] it is still a shock when it gets announced.
Alan Cransberg, Alcoa Australia chairman
"We are a large part of the Geelong community and we are proud of the contribution we have made over 50 years.

"A lot of the workers half expected this, [but] it is still a shock when it gets announced."

The smelter will be closed in August and the rolling mills will wrap up operations at the end of this year.

Alcoa says a comprehensive review of the 50-year-old smelter says it has no prospect of becoming financially viable.

The company is closing the rolling mills because of excess capacity.

"We recognise how deeply this decision impacts employees at the affected facilities and are committed to supporting them through this transition," company chief executive officer Klaus Kleinfeld said.

"Despite the hard work of the local teams, these assets are no longer competitive and are not financially sustainable today or into the future."

Alcoa's decision disappointing but predictable: Hockey

Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey says Alcoa's decision is disappointing but it was predictable because the company knew in 2012 that the plant was not financially viable.

"The Labor government gave them $40 million and they closed two years later," he said.

"The fact that they're closing two years after receiving a $40 million government grant illustrates the fact that you've got to be very careful with taxpayers' money."

Mr Hockey says no-one should be despondent about the closure.

"This is one of a number of businesses that will pass, but many other businesses will open," he said.

"If you get entirely 

adelcrow wrote on Feb 18^th, 2014 at 3:13pm:


Nut-job nut-job haunting my dreams.

In his red speedos he's not what he seems.

Woman basher, sexist, misogynist extreme.

Nut-job nut-job haunting my dreams.

Some businesses will startup—if the stinking Libs would get real and roll out the NBN! The committee meeting in Tassie heard from existing businesses that this would work.

No NBN—doubt any new jobs especially as austerity will be the order of the day.

The Abbott government obviously don't want manufacturing in Australia.

Dnarever wrote on Feb 18^th, 2014 at 3:27pm:


Yes that's it, i'm sure your demented one line of complete and utter crap is what is going on.

Yep, you're not a demented moron at all, well done you!!