State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery, has launched a petition today calling on the state government to build the new Intercity Rail Fleet in New South Wales with local workers.
The announcement by the government to not include any local manufacturing or materials has devastated local workers.
The $2.3 billion dollar overseas contract will result in the loss of hundreds of local jobs.
Sonia Hornery said the community's response is one of disappointment and question to why the government will not provide and support local jobs.
She also said the contract is "not in the best interests of Wallsend or the Hunter community."
The contract is scheduled to offshore over 1000 direct jobs to a South Korean manufacturer. There is also set to be a loss of almost 3000 indirect jobs as a result of the contract.
Sonia Horney said we have shown in the past and demonstrated we can build quality trains and carriages in Australia.
The use of manufacturing and materials in New South Wales would not only result in increased jobs and income for the region but in addition, apprenticeships and skills for the Hunter.
Sonia Hornery said the benefits and money saved by building in Hunter will outweigh any initial savings made on having "cheap quality goods" manufactured overseas.
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| Source: https://twitter.com/sonia_hornery |
