MINNS LABOR GOVERNMENT PUTS REGIONAL MANUFACTURER ON THE LINE

By Sam Farraway

A local bus manufacturer on the Mid North Coast may be forced to close taking with it 44 regional jobs after Transport for NSW (TfNSW) failed to finalise the approved manufacturers list under the new guidelines.

The TfNSW Bus Procurement Panel 4 was expected to be released by TfNSW last year with tenders closing in early April 2023. With the list still yet to be released in 2024, local bus manufacturers are left without any orders in the pipeline.

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NSW Shadow Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Sam Farraway is demanding answers from Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison on the delay.

“Express Coach Builders have been manufacturing our state’s school buses for 28 years. Now they face closing their doors for good because of government inaction despite an estimated 97 school buses in need of replacement across regional NSW,” said Mr Farraway.

“The Minns Labor Government promised to ‘build things here’ and said ‘NSW deserves a government that backs Australian made and that will buy Australian made’ – yet only 10 months in and this government is breaking that promise, proving they are all talk and no action.”

Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said it was a slap in the face from a government who promised to revive local manufacturing in NSW.

Express Coach Builders

“Express is the second largest private employer in Macksville, which already has higher than average unemployment. If they shut down and take away our jobs, it will absolutely kill our region,” Mr Kemp said.

“I met Minister Haylen last year and she assured me personally that Express and other manufacturers would have the Panel Four list before Christmas, with regional builds on that list. Now, we’re facing major job losses, with outdated school buses still on the road amidst post-flood damage and cuts to road funding.

“I extend an invitation to both ministers and the Premier to come up and meet with Express and give the business, their staff and their families confirmation that new orders are in the pipeline.”

Director of Express Coach Builders Mr Mark Forster said he was disappointed the business may have to close after 28 years of service to the community and providing opportunities to more than 100 apprentices and trainees.

“It’s terribly sad to put your heart and soul into something you love for it to be potentially taken away because the government and their agencies can’t sort out a procurement process,” Mr Forster said.

“Both ministers have the power to intervene and get the Panel four list out or at least offer relief to manufacturers to stay afloat.

“I had to lay off staff just before Christmas – no employer wants to do that. I don’t want to start the new year with more, so I’m pleading with the government to step up and fix it.”

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