Workers, Labor demand answers after train contract scrapped, staff sacked

• LNP’s John Barounis must explain why keeping Maryborough rail jobs not seen as “value for money”

• Hundreds of local jobs to go with LNP tearing up major tilt train contract

• Steven Miles today met with workers, will bring shadow cabinet to Maryborough

Workers and their families are demanding answers after the LNP confirmed a major tilt train overhaul in Maryborough would be scrapped, forcing the heritage city’s train manufacturer to sack hundreds of workers.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles has called on LNP MP John Barounis to front his community and explain what Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg meant when he said the project wasn’t “value for money” and why workers were now being let go.

Last week, a leaked memo from whistleblowers revealed more than 100 jobs in Maryborough would be gone by Christmas after the Queensland Rail board “definitely rejected” a works package for the overhaul of its diesel train.

It forced the LNP’s Transport Minister to Maryborough, where his response to sacking workers and scrapping contracts was because it didn’t represent “value for money”.

His office then tried to tell journalists that a private freight contract was the reason for letting workers go, but it’s since been confirmed with the private operator that no such contract ever existed.

After meeting with concerned workers today, Steven Miles said he would bring shadow cabinet to Maryborough and pressure the government to save the city’s much-needed jobs.

Quotes attributable to Opposition Leader Steven Miles:

“John Barounis stood next to Brent Mickelberg on Friday when the LNP Transport Minister said that somehow local train jobs and projects didn’t represent “value for money”.

“John Barounis needs to front the media today and explain to Maryborough families why their jobs and the work they do isn’t “value for money”.

“Many of the workers here have young families, they’ve set up a life here on the basis of a good job. Now, they’re facing the very real prospect they’ll be let go with nowhere to go.

“We’ll stand up for workers here in Maryborough every day of the week.”

Quotes attributable to Shadow Transport Minister Bart Mellish:

“It wasn’t that long ago when the LNP tore the heart out of Maryborough and decimated the local rail industry.

“And it’s happening all over again.

“More than 100 workers have now been told their jobs will be axed by Christmas.

“Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and LNP MP John Barounis said before the election that rail jobs would be backed by the LNP – they lied.

“David Crisafulli’s Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg then tried to spin the media and say it had nothing to do with government contracts – he lied.

“It proves that when this government says something, it means nothing.”

ENDS