一份内部文件显示,塔斯马尼亚政府曾获建议批准向Liberty Bell Bay(自由钟湾,澳大利亚唯一的锰冶炼厂)提供2000万澳元贷款,尽管建议指出该笔资金可能无法全部收回,风险很高。建议认为,不采取任何行动的风险更大。该冶炼厂于7月关闭并被清算,导致200多个工作岗位流失。部长Felix Ellis表示,政府坚持其决定,称此项贷款为工人提供了最好的未来机会。该冶炼厂的管理人认为,该公司自2025年5月起已经资不抵债,但其董事在当年8月声明公司具有偿付能力。
A $10 million loan from the Tasmanian government to the King Island tungsten mine, converted into shares, is now worth $75 million, the government revealed on Tuesday. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the mine's revival had exceeded expectations. Of the windfall, $50 million will reduce state debt, $20 million will seed a regional fund to strengthen communities facing economic disruption, and $5 million will go to the island's school. The shares will be sold gradually, as Mr Rockliff said holding mining stock is not the government's role.