Liberty Bell Bay Smelter Enters Liquidation

By Emily Smith

Topic: Mining and Metals

Monday, 3 August 2026, 4:24 pm

Monday, 3 August 2026, 5:01 pm

The Tasmanian government is disappointed by the decision to liquidate the Liberty Bell Bay smelter.

In short:

Creditors voted to liquidate the Liberty Bell Bay smelter and appointed EY Parthenon as liquidators.

The smelter closed after a potential sale fell through, leaving 200 workers without jobs.

The Tasmanian government will support workers and their families during this time.

Creditors will try to get back tens of millions of dollars owed by the smelter.

Creditors appointed EY Parthenon as liquidators at a meeting.

The 66-year-old smelter in northern Tasmania had issues with its former owner, GFG Alliance.

The smelter closed after a potential sale fell through, leaving 200 workers without jobs.

Workers had hoped a buyer could be found for the Liberty Bell Bay smelter.

The smelter may have been trading while insolvent for almost a year and owes creditors between $70 million and $300 million.

Workers can apply for the Fair Entitlements Guarantee for unpaid wages and other entitlements.

FEG payments are capped at $3,032 per week.

FEG does not cover unpaid superannuation.

A government spokesperson encouraged workers to visit a webpage for information on supports and entitlements.

Affected workers can access the webpage.

Australian Workers Union assistant branch secretary Robert Flanagan said former workers are trying to move on.

Today is part of the process for workers to recover their entitlements.

Robert Flanagan urged Hydro Tasmania to offer competitive power pricing to help Bell Bay Aluminium.

Government focused on the best possible outcome

Minister Felix Ellis said the decision to liquidate the smelter is disappointing for the communities.

The Tasmanian government will support workers and their families.

A $14-million ore stockpile will be sold by state-appointed receivers.

There are concerns that the state government may be responsible for rehabilitating the site, which could cost $200 million.

Minister Ellis said liquidation does not diminish the site's potential and has attracted third-party interest.

The government will work with the liquidator and potential buyers to explore opportunities.

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