The potential billion-dollar bailout of Australia's biggest aluminium smelter looks like "double standards", according to a state Liberal government trying to keep its own facility operational.

Tomago Aluminium, which is majority owned by Rio Tinto, says high energy costs have forced the company to consider ending operations when its electricity supply contracts expire in 2028.

But federal government figures are desperate to keep the smelter running and Tomago has engaged with both it and state politicians over a bailout reportedly worth more than $1 billion.

That caught the eye of Tasmania's Industry Minister, Felix Ellis, who says the federal Labor government has ignored calls from the Liberal-run state for a similar deal.

Bell Bay Aluminium in Tasmania, which is also owned by Rio T

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