MAY 12, 2022 – NSW train builders have today delivered a clear message to voters in the federal electorate of Gilmore today: don’t give Andrew Constance a job after he offshored thousands of local manufacturing jobs as Transport Minister.
Members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) who build and maintain trains in the Hunter Region were on the South Coast to talk to the community about the devastating impact of offshoring transport projects on local manufacturing jobs.
The visit comes after Andrew Constance recently tried to rewrite his track record of offshoring public transport builds, claiming no NSW firms were prepared to build the New Intercity Fleet, which was built in South Korea, despite local train manufacturer Stadler putting the case to build the trains in the Illawarra to the then Minister for Transport in 2016.
AMWU members also met with the Member for Gilmore Fiona Philips, with the union backing Labor’s National Rail Manufacturing Plan.
Quotes attributable to AMWU NSW & ACT State Secretary Cory Wright:
“Andrew Constance’s decision to send 600 South Coast jobs overseas is just one example in a very long line of his to offshore Australian manufacturing jobs, whether it’s trains, ferries, trams or buses.
“The trains we need in Australia should be made in Australia, creating good secure jobs and local capability, but we saw the opposite happen during Constance’s time as Transport Minister.
“Constance now wants voters in Gilmore to give him a job despite his clear record of sending theirs offshore.”
Quotes attributable to David Norris, fitter at Varley Newcastle:
“I’ve worked at Varley, building and maintaining trains, for more than 30 years. I know that we’re more than capable of making the trains we need right here in NSW.
“Andrew Constance stood beside the former NSW Premier as she claimed NSW wasn’t good at building trains, and he refused to meet with local train builders before offshoring the New Intercity Fleet build. His track record on local manufacturing job losses speaks for itself.”