SA pushes for national steel policy

South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis will push for a national policy mandating the use of Australian steel in government projects.

Mr Koutsantonis last month announced future state government projects would use only Australian-standard steel to help prop up steelmaker Arrium, which will cut 250 jobs from its Whyalla operations by mid-2016.

At a meeting of the nation's treasurers on Thursday, Mr Koutsantonis will propose a national policy aimed at protecting Australia's steel industry against a global oversupply, lower-quality imports and a downturn in prices.