KiwiRail offshoring decision a disaster for New Zealand jobs and industry

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday 6 April 2011

The Alliance Party is appalled that the National Government is betraying New Zealand workers by allowing KiwiRail get another 2000 of its wagons built in China.

Alliance Party co-leader Kay Murray says for Transport Minister Steven Joyce to dismiss opposition to this as xenophobic is outrageous and inflammatory.

"It is not xenophobic to expect the workers of Hillside Workshops to be allowed to carry on doing the work they have doing efficiently and effectively for almost a century – building wagons for New Zealand railways."

She says at a time of high unemployment and recession, the Government should be backing New Zealand industry and jobs.

Ms Murray says the issue is about providing jobs for New Zealand workers, and keeping money circulating in hard pressed communities.

Costwise, Hillside Workshops can build the wagons in New Zealand just as cheaply as CNR if only immediate benefits are considered.

"When the total benefits to the economy are considered Hillside is the winner by far."

If Mr Joyce wants the new wagons on the rails as urgently as he says, Hillside workshops can have each new wagon on the rails as soon as it is finished – rather than having to wait for a full shipment to be completed.

Ms Murray says there is absolutely no valid reason why KiwRail's wagons should not be built by New Zealand workers in New Zealand.

"Why then is the government not insisting that Kiwi Rail do so?"

ENDS

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