Daniel Andrews has dropped the ball on Australian steel jobs, to the obvious embarrassment of Labor’s Upper House MPs. Today on the voices, without dividing for a vote, the Legislative Council agreed:
That this House:
(1) expresses its concern —
(a) that commitments on the percentage share of local steel made products to be incorporated into the project by the consortium contracted to build the Transurban West Gate Tunnel Project, headlined by CPB Contractors and John Holland, at the time of tendering and contractual close, appear to have been ineffective;
(b) at the impact of this failure on Australian and Victorian steel producers and engineering firms, including those in country Victoria;
(2) calls on the Government to rectify this shortfall by insisting commitments entered into by the consortium with the Victorian Government be honoured; and
(3) demands that the Hon Jaala Pulford, MLC, the Minister representing the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, the Hon Jacinta Allan MP, in the Legislative Council, table a report at the end of each financial year that details the share of Australian steel, and the Victorian contribution to that component, in the West Gate Tunnel Project.
Victorians have had enough of Daniel Andrews’ secrecy veiled broken promises. More appropriate scrutiny and transparency regarding the domestic steel content of the West Gate Tunnel Project has now been forced on the Andrews Labor Government.
The Liberal Nationals look forward to Minister Pulford having to table a report at the end of each financial year that details the share of Australian steel, and the Victorian contribution to that component, in the West Gate Tunnel Project.
Mary Wooldridge MP
Shadow Minister for Innovation, Jobs and Trade