The Australian Government welcomes the announcement of Downer as the preferred supplier to manufacture 65 next generation trains as part of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.

Assistant Manufacturing Minister Tim Ayres said the Australian Government will work with state and territory governments to ensure local suppliers are considered for critical transport projects.

“We want Australia to be a smart nation that makes high-value products for Australia, our region and the world,” Assistant Minister Ayres said. 

“We want to see more trains and rolling stock manufactured right here, in our cities and outer suburbs.

“It’s clear that the Queensland Government is heading in the right direction. I commend the Palaszczuk Government for backing local manufacturing in Maryborough.

“But across the border in New South Wales, thousands of jobs have been lost to offshored rail projects.” 

The Albanese Government committed to delivering the National Rail Manufacturing Plan to support skilled manufacturing jobs and more trains being built in Australia.

The Government is currently recruiting for a Rail Supplier Advocate to support the Plan and lead coordination on the Australian rail industry.

“We need to drive Australia up the value chain and broaden our export complexity as well as our product diversity,” Assistant Minister Ayres said.

Media contact: Assistant Minister Ayres' office 02 6277 3469