After meeting Illawarra steel campaigners, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has sought federal government help to save Australia's steel industry.
In a letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday, Mr Shorten said he shared grave concerns with BlueScope Steel workers in Port Kembla about a lack of federal government support.
He has asked for a guarantee that the government will not repeal or weaken legislation that gives local manufacturers the opportunity to win work on large Australian projects, and to maximise the use of Australian steel in government infrastructure projects.
"The government must ensure Australian workers are first in line for job vacancies," he said.
In August, BlueScope said it would cut at least 500 jobs to reduce costs.
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The company needs to make $200 million in annual savings or it will be forced to mothball or close its Illawarra plant, which could affect up to 5000 jobs.
He said the government needed to take immediate action.
"P.S. lets work on this together. Happy to further discuss when we next meet," he said in a handwritten note on the letter.
