Australia could be without structural and rail steelmaking for up to five years

Key points

• About 500 employees at the Whyalla Steelworks face redundancy, and unions warn Australia could go without domestic structural and rail steelmaking for up to five years. Around 100 contractors will also leave after attempts to repair the 60-year-old blast furnace failed.
• The plant supplies most of the nation's structural steel and is the only domestic maker of rail steel. Governments have pledged almost $2 billion towards a new electric arc furnace, with the shortlisted bidders being Jindal and M Resources.
• Former owner GFG Alliance disputes responsibility for the furnace failure.