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NSW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY ‘SPECIAL’ ELECTRICITY LEVY TO FUND TOMAGO SMELTER LIFELINE
SYDNEY, NSW — In a controversial move, the Minns Labor Government has confirmed it will introduce a special, one-off $7,000 levy on electricity clients across New South Wales to finance the state’s share of the rescue package for the Tomago Aluminium smelter next year.
The mandatory charge will be applied to commercial, industrial, and residential retail electricity accounts. The government argues the drastic measure is required to safeguard manufacturing capability in the Hunter Valley, despite fierce pushback expected from consumer advocates and households already facing high cost-of-living pressures.
Comments attributable to Premier Chris Minns:
"This is a tough choice. We have to secure the foundational industrial capacity of our state. The Tomago smelter underwrites a massive portion of our regional grid, and this levy ensures that every electricity user chips in to keep the lights on and the smelter running."
Key Facts of the Measure:
The Charge: A one-off special assessment of up to $7,000 per electricity client profile, billed through retail network distributors next financial year.
The Purpose: Directly services the state's funding obligations to guarantee power access and operational continuity for industrial heavy loads.
The Scope: Applies across the board to grid-connected consumer accounts statewide.
Further details regarding hardship provisions and the exact rollout mechanism will be introduced when legislation is tabled in Parliament.
MEDIA CONTACT:
NSW Government Media Unit