Massive bailout for Australia’s largest aluminium smelter expected to be announced by PM and NSW premier

<p>Rio Tinto said in December it may cease operations at the Tomago aluminium smelter at the end of its current electricity supply contract</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/aug/12/australia-politics-live-question-time-anthony-albanese-angus-taylor-coalition-andrew-bragg-housing-construction-immigration-one-nation-pauline-hanson-gambling-melon-gift-japan-ndis-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Anthony Albanese and the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, are preparing to mount a major bailout of Australia’s largest aluminium smelter, in a deal worth as much as $2.5bn.</p><p>Resources giant Rio Tinto said in December it was contemplating ceasing operations at the Tomago aluminium smelter in NSW at the end of its current electricity supply contract.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/12/massive-bailout-for-australias-largest-aluminium-smelter-expected-to-be-announced-by-pm-and-nsw-premier">Continue reading...</a>