Speaking at the Australian Jobs Embassy outside parliament house in Canberra, Mr Jones said the government needed to be doing more to secure the future of steel.

“The workers have shown real leadership and agreed to make their contribution, sacrificing jobs, wages and conditions,” Mr Jones said.

“But the Abbott and Turnbull Liberal governments have been dragged kicking and screaming every inch of the way.

“The government must maximise the use of Australian steel in the projects that it funds – defence and infrastructure.”

Mr Jones also spoke of maritime workers being removed from ships and replaced by foreign crew.

“If a truck company driving between Melbourne and Port Kembla has to comply with Australian pay and conditions, why don’t the same rules apply to ships?”