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Ms ADDISON (Wendouree) (14:02): Ballarat has a proud history of building trains, and this is set to continue following last week’s almost $1 billion announcement to build 25 brand new X’trapolis 2.0 trains in my electorate of Wendouree. I thank the Treasurer for this huge investment in Ballarat and congratulate him on the excellent 2021–22 state budget that creates jobs and cares for Victoria.

For more than 100 years we have made trains in Ballarat, employing generations of workers and providing our city with a steady stream of economic activity. I am proud that the Andrews Labor government is committed to manufacturing jobs in regional Victoria. This announcement will create at least 150 new jobs to be based at Alstom’s Ballarat facility. Importantly, 15 per cent of these will be apprentices and 7 per cent of positions will be reserved for vulnerable and marginalised Victorians. Importantly, there will be a requirement of 60 per cent local content in the make-up of these trains.

This is a huge win for manufacturing jobs in Ballarat and Victoria. Thank you to the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the Electrical Trades Union, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and Ballarat Trades Hall for their strong advocacy to build more trains in Ballarat. I would like to recognise the leadership and hard work of AMWU delegate Ashley Mabbitt, RTBU delegate Luke Cornish and ETU delegate Mick Roberts to support the workforce and secure local jobs.

Click here to read more of my contributions in Parliament. To access further Hansard transcripts, head to the Parliament of Victoria website.