Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about an outstanding business: Wulguru Steel. While working in Townsville, in the northern part of my electorate, I had the privilege of a private tour by Wulguru Group's director, Bob McKay, to see the progress of their brand-new rail manufacturing facility. Under the previous coalition government, the group was awarded funding of $11 million through the Northern Australian Development Program. This funding was awarded to establish a new industry or to significantly grow the value of an existing industry and contribute to regional transformational change. The facility, which is under construction, will manufacture rail carriages and components of all configurations which are currently being imported from countries such as China and India. These rail wagons will help increase north Australia's freight capabilities and will be made to meet the demands of the agriculture, resources and general freight industries.

The previous coalition government saw the need to invest in local industries and develop sovereign manufacturing. If COVID has taught us anything, it is the importance of Australian-made. It is an impressive facility, and I'm proud to say it's based in my electorate of Dawson. The team is leading the way, all while creating jobs. Thanks for the tour, Bob, and I look forward to visiting you again soon.