Major manufacturers are putting out their hands for more public money to prevent the shutdown of steel and aluminium plants in NSW and Victoria after the Albanese government delivered another taxpayer-funded industrial bailout to an outback Queensland city, its third such move this year.

Industry Minister Tim Ayres announced on Wednesday that Swiss mining giant Glencore would receive a taxpayer-funded package of $600 million, jointly funded with the Queensland government, to continue operating its Mt Isa copper smelter and refinery for at least another three years, securing the jobs of 600 workers across the two sites.

Glencore’s lead and copper smelters in Mount Isa. Credit: Paul Harris

The deal follows a $135 million bailout from the state and federal governments for Nyrstar, whic

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