“Possible identity theft will be of great concern into the future,” she said.

“Where will be able to source our world class, very secure passport paper?”

She said the issue was even more worrying after four people were arrested and a fraudulent identity manufacturing operation in Sydney, which had created thousands of fake identification cards, including licences, Medicare cards and credit cards, was shut down following a joint-agency investigation.

“Julie Bishop has been doing a lot of diplomacy work with our near neighbours to export paper to them and she was still pursuing and investigating that before the announcement,” Mrs Sudmalis said.

She said she would raise the mill’s closure with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“We desperately tried to keep the product Australian based and worked closely with the union and employers at the mill for more than 12 months,” she said.

“Even before I was a candidate I discussed opportunities with the company. I asked if they had ever thought of producing art paper, which for quality paper, is all imported.

“To the company’s credit they produced a very good quality drawing paper. I don’t know how that went in the market. But they are a very responsive specialist manufacturer.

“The mill has been an integral part of the community for a long time, it is heartbreaking considering how hard everyone has worked to try and save it.

“I encouraged members to purchase Australian paper and in particular Shoalhaven produced paper. Barnaby Joyce and Julie Bishop are using Shoalhaven paper as are George Brandis and Michael Keenan and new minister Karen Andrew has also had all her parliamentary letterheads and envelopes sourced through Shoalhaven paper.

“I have pushed this and got further in 12 months than the previous government did in the whole six years they were in power.”

She dismissed suggestions by Throsby MP Stephen Jones the government should reinstate the position of an employment co-ordinator for the region.

“Considering there was no forward funding after June 2014 by their party it’s a bit rich to now suggest we need it back,” she said.

“Why didn’t they have continual funding for it like they have done for so many other things for the budget?”

Mrs Sudmalis said the government would do everything it could to support the mill employees.

“I have spoken to the Minister for Industry and Science to try to find out and explore any available opportunities for the workers,” she said.

“I have contacted Centrelink and when the mill is ready, they will have advisers on site to help the workers.

“It has only been 48 hours since the announcement and the company is still preparing the closure procedures and packages.”

Mrs Sudmalis said she would also talk to Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb about the possibility of getting international investment to push forward a planned recycling plant at the location by company Relivit.

Relivit signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian Paper to establish the country’s first nappy and incontinence pad recycling service at the Shoalhaven mill.

“When we spoke to the company 12 month ago it indicated a lot of the skills needed once the operation was off the ground were possessed by staff already working at the mill,” she said.