The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union NSW & ACT (AMWU) is calling on the ACT government to commit to locally made electric buses.
As the territory government puts out a tender to lease 34 new vehicles, the union representing manufacturing workers is calling on the government to support local manufacturing jobs, local skills, and our modern manufacturing industry.
Manufacturer Nexport has said it will offer electric buses to the ACT, but these buses are made in China and only fitted out in Australia. We need to invest in training and support for our local industry so that we can manufacture all the components of an electric bus here in Australia.
Australia has a long and proud history of manufacturing world-class public transport vessels, and this industry has provided generations of workers with secure, well-paid jobs. In contrast, offshoring the build of our trains, ferries, and buses, as has happened in NSW, destroys jobs and results in products that are faulty, over budget, and not fit for purpose.
It’s time to invest in local skills and the infrastructure needed to build electric vehicles. By doing this, we can create a modern manufacturing industry that employs future generations of Australian workers.
Quotes attributable to AMWU NSW & ACT State Secretary Cory Wright:
“We should build our buses here, using local workers and local content. Australian workers have the skills and they’re ready to get to work.”
“The electric vehicle industry is a growth opportunity for manufacturing. We need to make sure we’re investing in the skills, workforce, and infrastructure for the future, now.”
Media contact: Sophia Morris – 0400889166 or [email protected]