Pressure is building on the federal government to establish a national solution to assist Australia's struggling smelters sector.

This week the government united with the South Australian and Tasmanian governments to provide metals producer, Nystar, with a $135 million rescue package for ailing operations in Port Pirie and Hobart.

• Guest: Alex Hawke, Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation
• Producers: Max Chalmers and Lexie Jeuniewic