Tuesday, 8 September 2026

 Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (19:22): (1828) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public Transport. The action I seek is for the minister to visit the Alstom manufacturing facility in my electorate of Wendouree to meet with the skilled workers building Victoria’s next generation of X’trapolis 2.0 trains and to see firsthand the important contribution they are making to Victoria’s public transport network. The Carroll Labor government is continuing to build the transport system Victoria needs. We are removing level crossings, building new stations, upgrading roads and investing in better public transport across our state. Just last week the new Melton station opened to passengers, delivering a bigger, safer and more accessible station while also removing Melton’s final two level crossings. And I would really like to thank the Ballarat passengers who were required to catch buses recently due to this disruption. Labor is also progressing future electrification works to support the growth of Melbourne’s west and to separate the regional lines.

At the same time our Labor government is investing in local manufacturing and backing Victorian jobs, the workers at Alstom in Wendouree are building the X’trapolis 2.0 fleet that will help move millions of Victorians for decades to come. These highly skilled jobs support local families and strengthen Ballarat’s proud manufacturing heritage. I proudly support local manufacturing and support local jobs. Families across my community rely on local manufacturing jobs, as does our local economy. The skilled workers at Alstom are building world-class trains right here in my community in Ballarat, creating opportunities for local workers and ensuring that the benefits of government investment stay in Victoria. But not everyone shares Labor’s commitment to local manufacturing. The Liberals have proposed importing hybrid trains from overseas rather than backing Victorian-made trains built by Victorian workers. Their approach puts local jobs at risk and would deny communities like Ballarat the economic benefits that come from building trains in my community and in Victoria. I want trains made in Ballarat, not Barcelona. The difference is clear: Labor backs local manufacturing, local workers and local jobs. We build trains in Victoria and invest in skills and capabilities of our workforce. The Liberals want to send the work offshore and support manufacturing workers in Europe, not regional Victoria.