Tomago Aluminium Rescue Deal: Albanese’s Fixed‑Price Power Plan Sparks Jobs‑vs‑Taxpayer Debate (Dec 14, 2025)
Updated: Sunday, 14 December 2025 Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter has been handed a political and industrial lifeline—alongside a fresh wave of scrutiny—after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government confirmed it is working on a long-term energy deal designed to keep Rio Tinto’s Tomago Aluminium operating beyond 2028. The plan centres on a fixed-price power purchasing agreement (PPA), concessional finance to accelerate new renewable generation and storage in NSW, and at least $1 billion in investment from Tomago over the next decade. Prime Minister of Australia But as of 14 December, the key question remains unanswered: how much will taxpayers ultimately pay,