Whyalla steelworks port ownership dispute triggers introduction of new legislationTopic:Steel18m ago18 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 6:19amThe SA government says the former operator of the Whyalla steelworks leased the port to one of its subsidiary companies without government approval. (ABC News)In short:The state government will introduce amendments to the Whyalla Steelworks Act to clarify the ownership of the Whyalla port.It comes amid ongoing legal action to wrest control of the facility from former steelworks owner GFG Alliance.What's next?Premier Peter Malinauskas said maintaining access to the port of Whyalla was "essential for the Whyalla steelworks' operations".abc.net.au/news/whyalla-port-ownership-new-legislation/105287056Link copiedShareShare articleThe state government has moved to clarify the ownership of the Whyalla port amid ongoing legal action to wrest control of the facility from former steelworks owner GFG Alliance.Premier Peter Malinauskas today notified parliament that the government would introduce amendments to the Whyalla Steelworks Act 1958, around three months after placing the steelworks into administration.Mr Malinauskas said maintaining access to the port of Whyalla was "essential for the Whyalla steelworks' operations".He said the amendments were designed to clarify that the port was owned by former steelworks owner OneSteel Manufacturing.In February, OneSteel — the GFG subsidiary which ran the steelworks — was placed into administration by the South Australian government after long-running financial woes plunged the operation into crisis.But that legislation did not allow the government to seize control of the port, with Whyalla steelworks administrators KordaMentha launching legal action in April to seize control of the facility.The legislative changes run in conjunction with that legal action by stating that the Whyalla port is owned by OneSteel, not Whyalla Port Pty Ltd.The Whyalla steelworks went into administration in February 2025. (Supplied: GFG Alliance)The government argued this was always the case but Mr Malinauskas said the amendments would clarify the matter.He said administrators KordaMentha had already spent millions to address maintenance and safety risks at the steelworks."However, not all risks arise from the apparent lack of maintenance and critical spend by the previous ownership," he said."The administrators have advised the state of a reported lease agreement granted by OneSteel to Whyalla Ports Pty Ltd, a separate company owned by GFG."The lease was entered into without prior consent of the state of South Australia."KordaMentha previously told the Federal Court that the port facilities were essential to present the steelworks to a potential new buyer."The sale process cannot commence until the port issues are resolved," administrator Michael Korda told the court earlier this year.Mr Malinauskas said the port was used to export iron ore and receive key supply shipments."The state has seen fit to clarify the status of the land which is subject to the purported lease of which OneSteel is the registered proprietor for the purpose of operating the port of Whyalla," he said."The bill has been drafted out of an abundance of caution to clarify the effect of the failure to obtain prior consent, and make it clear that the purported lease agreement granted by OneSteel to Whyalla Ports never had legal effect from the beginning."The ABC has contacted GFG Alliance for comment.Posted 18m ago18 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 6:19amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesSussan Ley rejects her Liberal leadership victory is a 'glass cliff' appointmentLIVEPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. 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