State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today move a Notice of Motion calling on the State Government to learn from the mistakes of other State Governments and build the new intercity rail fleet in New South Wales.
Hundreds of jobs at the Downer EDI site in Cardiff will be lost as a result of the Government’s decision to award the contract for new rolling stock to a company which will manufacture them overseas.
Queensland Rail’s overseas built train carriages have had issues with faulty brakes and air-conditioning, poor ventilation, inadequate driver visibility and poor disability access.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“This Notice of Motion will call on the Government to support local workers by designing and building new trains here in New South Wales.”
“The decision to award the contract for new rolling stock to South Korea sent shockwaves through the Wallsend community.”
“Coupled with a lack of skilled workers due to TAFE cuts, increases in fees and the proliferation of dodgy private training providers because of this Government’s failed Smart and Skilled policy, the downturn in manufacturing will mean trouble for the local economy in the long term.”
“Instead of investing in the workers of tomorrow by generating apprenticeships for young people, $2.3 billion is being sent overseas.”
“The decision to pass over Australian manufacturers in favour of their counterparts in South Korea represents a slap in the face to these workers.”
“Building these new trains in NSW is the right thing to do and failing to do so is a dereliction of duty on the part of this Government.”
“My constituents won’t stand for it and I’ll continue to fight for them.”