Truss congratulates Downer EDI on securing $189 million rail contract
27th October, 2010
Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss today congratulated Maryborough’s Downer EDI for its success on being awarded a $189 million contract to supply a new tilt train and upgrade two existing tilt trains.“This is great news for the workers at Downer EDI and for the local economy,” Mr Truss said.
“Downer EDI is a major employer in Maryborough and the company supports jobs across the region. I congratulate Downer EDI and their employees on winning this contract,” Mr Truss said.
“Downer EDI Rail and Walkers before that have been manufacturers at the leading edge of world technology and I am pleased that their skill and ability has been recognised through this contract,” Mr Truss said.
Mr Truss said that today’s announcement is very welcome news, but the company and its employees are still waiting on the fate of Downer EDI’s tender to supply 200 new trains to Queensland Rail.
“For more than a year the workers at Downer EDI have had to live with uncertainty and in fear that the State Labor Government would export their jobs to China as part of its $2 billion tender for 200 new trains,” Mr Truss said.
“Today’s announcement provides Downer EDI with some security until 2014, but the $2 billion tender is the deal that would seal our region’s economic future.
“I hope that the $189 million announcement today is a vote of confidence in Downer EDI’s long term future, and does not end up being a second prize distraction from the $2 billion first prize,” Mr Truss said.
”The investment and jobs that would flow from the tender are too important for Wide Bay and for Queensland to be sent off shore as part of Anna Bligh’s sell off of Queensland industry,” Mr Truss said.
