Doorstop in Boyer, Tasmania

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
DOORSTOP
BOYER PAPER MILL
FRIDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2025

SUBJECTS: Albanese Labor Government supporting Boyer Paper Mill, Hobart Private Clinic, suspected bird flu outbreak.

REBECCA WHITE, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE: Well, I’m really thrilled and proud to be back here at Boyer Mill after we had the Prime Minister here during the election campaign alongside Julie and myself, Pat Dooley as well as all of the delegates and union representation – the CEPU, the AMWU – where we made a commitment to invest here in the Boyer Mill, a commitment of $24 million. We made a commitment of $24 million during the election campaign with the Prime Minister, and I’m really proud that today we’ve started to deliver that with $14 million last week delivered to Boyer Mill to support them to decarbonise, replacing their coal-fired boiler with an electric boiler, but also to look at other ways they can produce new products on this site to diversify and continue this now proudly Australian owned company operating here in the Derwent Valley, just like it has been for generations.

Here at Boyer 300 workers are directly employed, but more than a thousand are employed indirectly, supporting the operations on this site. It’s been a proud institution. Anyone driving to New Norfolk up the highway would see this site here and recognise how significant it has been for Tasmania’s economy and particularly here in the Derwent Valley.

The decarbonisation of the boiler here at Boyer is equivalent to taking one-third of combustion engines off Tasmania’s Roads. This site is Tasmania’s fourth largest emitter and not only is this a significant investment in improving environmental outcomes for our state, it’s also an investment in the future of our economy, investing in advanced manufacturing and supporting jobs here in Tasmania under our Made in Australia efforts.

I’m really thrilled that we’ve been able to deliver on this commitment, and I’d like to thank Boyer Mill, the management and their staff for their continued partnership, because together we’ve been able to deliver an excellent outcome for Tasmania.

I’ll pass across to Pat.

PATRICK DOOLEY, MANAGER OF BOYER PAPER MILL: Thank you. My name’s Patrick Dooley, General Manager of the Boyer Paper Mill. Firstly, I’d like to welcome back Minister Collins and Assistant Minister White back to the Boyer Mill and, I guess, extend huge thanks to, firstly, the Prime Minister, the Honourable Anthony Albanese, the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Honourable Tim Ayres, the Honourable Chris Bowen, the Honourable Julie Collins and the Honourable Rebecca White.

We welcome today’s announcement and confirmation of the Federal government’s commitment to the Boyer Mill, it’s 300-plus direct employees and, importantly, the support for our mill’s vision to be sustainable and to decarbonise.

We see our future as a clean, green industry, supporting Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability through a diverse range of fibre-based solutions, from our traditional publication papers to a fit-for-purpose copy paper, lightweight packaging grades and book grades. We see future site development and training and education, sustainable housing and other fibre-based initiatives.

This federal government support enables us to progress plans to diversify our product range while, importantly, allowing transition from fossil fuel-derived thermal energy to clean, renewable electricity-derived thermal energy from the electro boiler. In doing so we will reduce our scope 1 emissions by 97 per cent or 175,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. So, it’s a really exciting day for us. We thank the government for delivering on its pre-election commitment. Thank you.

JULIE COLLINS, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY: Well, as Patrick and Rebecca have indicated, this is really about Tasmanian jobs. This about saying that we can have a strong environmental outcome with a reduction in emissions and we can have these jobs here in Tasmania. When you are talking about over 300 jobs. We know that that has a huge impact in the local community. And that’s direct jobs. We know there’s many more indirect jobs.

We also know the huge contribution of hundreds of millions of dollars every year that this Boyer Mill makes to the Tasmanian economy. As Rebecca has indicated, it is absolutely an institution in southern Tasmania, and Tasmanians can be very proud of this Boyer Mill again as this mill goes about doing its business on behalf of Tasmanians. And I’m sure that many families here will be relieved that we are delivering on this election commitment, and this means that jobs are secure here at the Boyer Mill.

Happy to take some questions on this or Patrick or Rebecca on this, and I’m also happy to talk about bird flu.

JOURNALIST: We’ll come back to bird flu, I think. Can we just get Patrick first on a few things around these upgrades. So, what are you expecting that they’ll be in place, the electrification upgrades?

DOOLEY: So, we’re currently working on the engineering for this. We’ve commenced demolition. We’re reutilizing an existing building on site to house the new electro boiler, and we have placed the order for the electro boiler and detailed engineering is progressing at the moment. And our current engineering program shows that being delivered to site late next year with a start-up in quarter 1, 2027. So, at that point we should be delivering on our promise to remove those 175,000 tonnes of CO2.

JOURNALIST: You guys are the only paper mill in Australia, [indistinct] paper mill. Are there others around the globe that are using this technology, or are they still using coal mostly?

DOOLEY: So, a combination of the two. There are still coal-fired thermal energy generators around the globe. Electro boiler technology, while it’s developed a lot, has been around for quite some time. But it is cutting-edge technology now. Super efficient, so 99.92 per cent conversion efficiency between electricity and the steam that we produce. So great technology for the future.

JOURNALIST: The recent power deal that Boyer signed with Hydro and Aurora Tasmania, does that include the energy needed to – so that these works can take place?

DOOLEY: So, no, it doesn’t currently. The announcement around Aurora and Hydro was regarding the existing contract to supply under the existing contract. So, we’re still in negotiations with Hydro Tasmania. We’re working with the state government and the Department of State Growth to secure that additional capacity.

JOURNALIST: How are those negotiations going? Has there been any progress in the last couple of months?

DOOLEY: Yeah, certainly. We continue to meet with Hydro Tasmania. We’re looking at doing differently to try and make a arrangement that we can both work with going forward. But there’s certainly progress.

JOURNALIST: Would the cost of your enterprise increase as a result of electrifying?

DOOLEY: No. So currently – sorry. So, no. The business case shows that in electrifying we should be slightly better off in converting away from thermal energy – sorry, converting away from coal. But it is a business case that requires a lot of things to work to make it work.

JOURNALIST: Are you able to give us an example of these upgrades and how they actually work, how they’ll fit into the mill?

DOOLEY: Sure. So currently we burn about 88,000 tonnes of coal per year. And that generates all of the steam that’s utilised through the site. It’s utilised for heating purposes, for pre steaming of chips before they’re processed into pulp, but primarily it’s used for the drying of paper on the paper machines. So, the new electro-boiler will generate steam and that steam will go into the same network distribution around the site and still be utilised for heating of chips and for heating purposes and drying of paper. So, it’s a relatively smooth changeover.

JOURNALIST: And what’s the feedback been like from the workforce? Have they been excited to have this come into effect?

DOOLEY: Very clearly an investment of this scale – we’re talking about an investment combined of over $20 million – really is about trying to secure the future of the Boyer Mill and allow it to transition to the low carbon economy that we all desire. So really exciting times for us and I think it does go a long way to helping secure the future of the Boyer Mill.

JOURNALIST: First and last name and what your position is.

RODNEY GRAHAM: Rodney Graham. I do a specialised role here at the [indistinct] and I lead the AMWU on the Boyer site.

JOURNALIST: Could we just have the spelling of your last name as well?

GRAHAM: G-r-a-h-a-m.

JOURNALIST: Beautiful, the proper way to spell Graham.

GRAHAM: Absolutely.

JOURNALIST: Did you want to start, mate, or do you want us to chuck you some questions?

GRAHAM: Yeah, so the Boyer Mill is heading towards 90 years of longevity on the Derwent River and in the southern Tasmania area of Tasmania. So we have an opportunity to continue that and, no doubt, if all goes well head towards a hundred years of job opportunities for people right around Tasmania but, in particular, in southern Tasmania. So, I think sometimes the length of the mill gets forgotten in regards to the changes and the things that we face. So, each year every job is important here that stays here. So, with this kind of support from the federal government we are now able to continue to give younger people an opportunity to raise their families. And I think that in itself is something that doesn’t get spoken about, but it’s really important to the community as well as the people here that work.

JOURNALIST: A lot of people who work here live in New Norfolk. I imagine it’s pretty important for the Upper Derwent region particularly?

GRAHAM: Yeah, so we have a little bit of both, to be truthful. In the early years of Boyer, the majority of people came from the Derwent Valley, whereas now they actually come from right across southern Tasmania. So, the impact of Boyer doesn’t just revolve around where we are with New Norfolk or up into the Derwent Valley; it has impacts down coming on to the eastern shore down towards the Huon Valley. And it affects everywhere. So if this mill was to change, the ripple affect across Tasmania would be huge.

JOURNALIST: With this change, will your jobs change much or others around you? Is there a chance, I guess, to kind of expand those skills?

GRAHAM: So, for my particular job the answer is no. So, I work in an area which doesn’t rely on the steam that’s generated except for actually keeping me warm, so that’s pretty good. But the rest of the mill, the changes won’t be great on the paper machine because the reduction and taking away the coal, this new product will be able to produce the steam. So it’s a continuation of the majority of the jobs. Mainly the biggest change will be in the boiler area where the coal is brought into the plant at the moment.

JOURNALIST: Can you talk a bit about all of the jobs that are indirectly supported by the mill?

GRAHAM: So, if you were to go up to New Norfolk and drive past the Eagle Snack Bar, a classic example, off the bridge at New Norfolk, and if you were to say to them how many people from Boyer actually go and spend money there that’s an example, and they’d say a fair bit. So that’s an example, and there’s numerous others from the local suppliers of petroleum on this site to the local suppliers of bearings and mechanical infrastructure that we use. So, the ripple effects are really huge. It goes greater than this area where we’re at and the Derwent Valley. So within Hobart we’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars keeping this place ticking over with equipment, it be could steel, it could be a range of things, safety items, that we need. So, it’s very big the spend and, therefore, the knock-on effect is actually greater than the number of employees.

JOURNALIST: And have you spoken to many of those employees who may have to learn new skills, you know, if they’re feeling nervous about that or if they’re happy to do it?

GRAHAM: Well, the great thing about this project is that the direct impact is only on a small number of people. So it mainly affects, as you can see over my left shoulder there, where the boiler house is. So for the majority of the people, the fantastic thing about this project is it is business as usual with the exception that your job security has just increased ten fold. So that’s the real key for us. So a small number of people with changes inside the mill, but large numbers of people across the entire mill that have got job opportunities that were questionable without this support from the federal government.

JOURNALIST: Thank you.

COLLINS: More about the mill?

JOURNALIST: Yeah, one or two more. I think you said that 14 of the 24 has been delivered. What’s the other 10 dependent on?

WHITE: Yeah, so the commitment we gave before the election was up to $24 million to support Boyer to decarbonise and invest in diversification of new products. $14 million has been provided. Over the next three years we’ll work with the company to deliver on the remaining amount. So that’s simply an acknowledgement that we need money in stages, too, as they’re continuing to invest in changes on the site and we’ll support them through that transition.

JOURNALIST: There’s been a little bit of a cloud over all of Tassie’s major industrials lately, and the state government has been saying the federal government needs to step up and do more. Are you willing to provide support to the other three as well? I know Nyrstar is getting some money, but –

WHITE: That’s right.

JOURNALIST: Yeah, are you willing to step into this space as needed?

WHITE: Well, the Federal government has demonstrated its clear commitment to supporting Tasmania’s major industrials not only here at Boyer but at Nyrstar. And we’re working very closely around the northern part of Tasmania at Bell Bay and also at Liberty Bell Bay. We recognise the importance of maintaining these jobs here in Tasmania, and that’s why we put not only money on the table but we’re putting effort in to working with the state government and those companies to ensure that they can continue to survive.

JOURNALIST: What kind of advocating have you done in terms of Bell Bay given [indistinct]?

WHITE: Well, I think there’s two issues there. I’ll speak to them separately, if I can. So, Bell Bay Aluminium is currently in negotiations with Hydro around a power supply agreement. Now, Hydro is a fully owned Tasmanian company, and it is up to the state government to make sure they deliver on their charter, a charter that was only updated last year and has Nick Duigan’s signature on it. And that charter says that they have to supply power to Tasmanians and Tasmanian businesses to support jobs in our economy as part of their remit. I think if there are questions about what’s happening at Bell Bay they should be directed to the state government who have a responsibility here to ensure that Tasmanian businesses and major industrials can access affordable energy. It’s one of the key reasons that we have these major industrials in Tasmania in the first place because of our investment in renewable energy and our commitment to deliver cheaper power. The Tasmanian government is the one who needs to do more to support Bell Bay aluminium because the Tasmanian government is the owner of Hydro and they should be working in our state’s best interests.

When it comes to Bell Bay Liberty, there are ongoing discussions between the state government and the federal government about how we ensure we can support the continued operation at that site. You’d be aware the state government offered a loan to Bell Bay Liberty for them to purchase ore which has arrived in Tasmania. The workers on that site are continuing to be employed, and we’ve got unions who are standing with me today – the CEPU, the AMWU – who are very concerned about the future of that site because of the workers who need to have certainty about their jobs. And we’re all very invested in making sure that that can continue to operate. I know Minister Tim Ayres has been in close conversations with the Tasmanian government. And I understand that there is hopefully going to be some further announcement about that soon. But at the end of the day Bell Bay Liberty has to uphold their end of the agreement. They were given a commitment by the state government to support them to bring that ore to Tasmania to process by the end of September. They didn’t do that. They have to be held accountable.

JOURNALIST: Just on the Hobart Clinic really quickly, the CEO of the Private Hospitals Association says it’s not the state government’s issue and he says the federal government should be doing more to prevent the closure of private mental health hospitals. Can you speak to that a bit?

WHITE: Well, this isn’t an issue that’s just impacted here in Tasmania, and that’s why the federal government has pulled together CEOs of private hospitals and private health insurers to understand what can be done. But I would say when it comes to the Hobart clinic that I’ve engaged with the state Health Minister. I’ve been speaking to the elected board and asking them what support they’ve ask of the Federal government. They haven’t asked us for anything. We remain committed to make sure Tasmanians can access the mental health care that they need. And we understand the pressure that many Tasmanians are facing because of this Closure. My sympathies is with those [indistinct] patients who have been disrupted and affected by this because I know how challenges this has been for them. But at the end of the day the state government needs to make sure that the operation of the public health system in the state is priority. Tasmanians deserve to have access to health care, no matter where they live. And they shouldn’t have to fork out for it just because the state government has neglected its responsibilities to provide public services, particularly for mental health patients.

JOURNALIST: Bird flu, I’ve got some questions. So, what do we know about this suspected detention of bird flu on Heard Island?

COLLINS: Well, I just reiterate that it is suspected; it is not yet confirmed. We obviously have scientists on board the Nuyina, on the vessel on Heard Island. They have identified a larger number of elephant seal infant deaths. So not a mass mortality, but a larger number. They have done the appropriate quarantine and PPE in relation to this and they have actually bagged up some elephant seals samples that will come back to Australia to be tested for confirmation.

JOURNALIST: What did the scientists observe in relation to elephant seals? How many were dead and were they recent deaths?

COLLINS: So, what I’m advised is that there is a larger than usual deaths in the elephant seal pups, and, of course, they have tested and they are saying that it is suspected bird flu. It cannot be confirmed. See we need to confirm that at a secure laboratory at the CSIRO.

JOURNALIST: What have the scientists done to collect the samples and how risky is that process?

COLLINS: Well, they’re very highly qualified scientists. This is not unexpected. We were expecting given obviously that it has been detected on French islands nearby in the Antarctic region. I would reiterate that this is still, you know, several thousand kilometres south of mainland Australia. And as I said it is suspected but not yet confirmed.

JOURNALIST: What will happen with the samples?

COLLINS: Well, they have been bagged up, and they have been appropriately bagged and quarantined and they will be sent to a quarantine laboratory with the CSIRO to be tested appropriately.

JOURNALIST: When will we find out if they are confirmed cases?

COLLINS: Well, we’re being as upfront and transparent with the Australian community at the earliest opportunity. We’re advising the public at the earliest opportunity of the suspected but not yet confirmed. So, we want to be as upfront as we can as early as we can.

JOURNALIST: How concerned should Australians be about the suspected cases?

COLLINS: Well, of course, Australians understand that we are as prepared as we can be. Our government has invested over $100 million in being as prepared as we can be. Some of that money has flowed to states and territories in terms of mobile laboratories and testing equipment. Some of it has gone to Wildlife Health Australia to do more surveillance. Some of it has gone to zoos and aquariums to protect native species. We have been getting prepared for this for some time. We are the only continent that is currently free of this H5 bird flu.

JOURNALIST: What impact could it have if and when it reaches Australia?

COLLINS: Well, what we’ve seen overseas has been impacting mammals, particularly sea mammals and in bird life. So, I would remind Australians if you do see mass bird deaths, please do not touch them, please go to birdflu.gov.au or call our hotline. What we want to do is to make sure that nobody is touching anything that they shouldn’t. But, again, I would reiterate that this is thousands of kilometres south of mainland Australia and is suspected but not yet confirmed.

JOURNALIST: What measures are in place to respond to its likely arrival?

COLLINS: Well, of course, as I said, we are prepared and we have invested that over $100 million. We’re as prepared as we can be. We have had departments working together across government and across tiers of government, also with industry, to prepare Australia as much as we can. We’ve invested the money early. And what I would say is that we cannot stop this coming to mainland Australia because it would come via migratory birds if it was to come. But this is a suspected not yet confirmed off an Antarctic island thousands of kilometres southern of Australia and Tasmania.

JOURNALIST: Can you give a ball – you were already asked for a real figure, but is it above or below 100, the number of seal deaths, do you know?

COLLINS: I am told that it is a larger than usual of the dead elephant seal pups, and I’m told that it’s not a mass mortality, but it is a larger number than normal.

JOURNALIST: Where does larger than normal stop and mass begin?

COLLINS: Well, I’m taking advice of the scientists, and that is the terms that they are using in relation to these mortalities. What I would say is that we’ve been as transparent as early as we can with the information we have available to us.

JOURNALIST: Have you been told a number?

COLLINS: I’m being as upfront as early as I can with the information that’s been given to us.

JOURNALIST: Have you been told a number?

COLLINS: Well, what I’m saying to you is that there has been a larger than usual number.

JOURNALIST: Yeah, but the number you’ve been told?

COLLINS: There is a larger than usual number of elephant seal pups.

JOURNALIST: And what number of bird deaths should people become sceptical of?

COLLINS: Well, obviously if there is, you know, a large group of birds that people see, we’d ask them to go on to birdflu.gov.au or to call the hotline.