Wednesday, 17 May 2023

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (10:02): I recently met with officials from the Victorian branch of the AMWU to discuss the enormous potential for a manufacturing renaissance right here in Victoria. Of course it is a proud union which also supports LGBTIQ+ people in Victoria. After many years of neglect and industry policy failure by conservative Liberal governments, an exciting opportunity has arisen to realise the advanced manufacturing potential right here in this great state of Victoria. Williamstown dockyard presents that opportunity. The dockyard previously employed more than 1500 workers in highly skilled manufacturing jobs. Heavy engineering and advanced manufacturing have historically represented a pathway for working-class people to secure well-paid unionised jobs as well as training large numbers of apprentices. This is why the Williamstown dockyard is an ideal location for the manufacture of Victoria’s fleet of electric buses; infrastructure for roads, rail and the State Electricity Commission; and components for wind towers and appliances for the electrification of Victoria’s homes; and not the least it is ready-made for shipbuilding and repair. I thank the AMWU Victorian branch for identifying the possibilities and for showing us that manufacturing workers can play a vital role as we decarbonise our economy. Government has the potential to ensure the creation of good, secure, well-paid manufacturing jobs for working people, many of whom reside in my region, and I look forward to seeing this proposal become a reality.