They were the words South Coast Labour Council secretary, and staunch steel campaigner, Arthur Rorris used to sum up NSW Labor’s industry support package announcement on Monday.

Australian Workers’ Union Port Kembla branch secretary Wayne Phillips agreed, describing the unions’ fight as “a long, hard battle”.

“The people who work in the mills behind us can feel exceptionally grateful for what’s happened,” Mr Phillips said during the announcement at the Port Kembla steelworks.

“To do what they [Labor] have done today secures, as far as I’m concerned, our industry.”

Mr Rorris said the Labor plan, which included a mandate of 90 per cent Australian-made steel use in taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects and the appointment of an Illawarra-based Steel Industry Advocate, was a big step in the right direction.

“We have a very firm proposal here and a way forward to secure our steel industry; we do not have that from the NSW government,” he said.   

“Unless, and until, the Baird government can come up with a better plan, as far as we’re concerned this is it. It’s the only offer on the table at the moment that is consistent, that is thought out and has a capacity to do its stated purpose of saving this industry.”

Despite Labor being in opposition, Mr Rorris said he was heartened to hear “there will now be a very serious discussion with the government and all the parties in NSW to ensure this becomes policy”.

Mr Phillips turned his attention, and hopes, to other levels of government.

“NSW is leading the way across this country and all Labor governments, whether they be state or federal, need to pick up and learn from the announcement today [Monday],” he said.  

“It’s absolutely bloody fantastic news.”

Keira MP Ryan Park announced the steel support measures alongside the party’s industry spokesman Adam Searle.

Tim Ayres, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union’s NSW branch secretary, described Mr Park as “a champion of his local community”.  

Mr Ayres said Labor’s move represented “a bold industry policy that our state deserves”.

“Imported steel costs Australian jobs,” he said.

“We need Australian governments to buy Australian steel and it is time for the Baird government to act.”