Qld state shadow cabinet in Maryborough discussing Downer train jobs

The state shadow ministry travelled to Maryborough on Wednesday morning to continue the train wars, pledging they’ll come back to the manufacturing town as residents prepare for potential job losses.

The state shadow ministry has pledged to continue to protect the jobs of workers in Maryborough in the wake of potential job losses at the Downer factory.

Opposition Leader Stephen Miles, along with Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick, Shadow Minister for Transport Bart Mellish, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace, and Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour gathered the media outside Maryborough Town Hall to heap more blame on the government and the potential job losses at the town’s Downer train yard.

“We are here with the entire cabinet because we will never let down Maryborough,” Mr Miles said.

“When I was here last week, the workers there had been told there was a stay of execution until Monday of this week.

“Now we learn that’s been extended until Friday coincidentally after our shadow cabinet meeting when we are here to talk about the LNP’s action in these jobs lost.”

Mr Miles accused local MP John Barounis of trying to create a “cunning plan to ensure cuts can go ahead without scrutiny”.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles addresses local media in Maryborough, Qld. Photo: Office of the Opposition Leader

Cameron Dick said when Labor announced train manufacturing was returning to the city, it was described as “the Maryborough moment”.

“Now we have a Maryborough moment for completely different reasons,” he said.

“This is ‘dodgy Dave’s trainwreck’ when it comes to manufacturing jobs.”

Mr Seymour said it was a “great opportunity” for locals and the council to meet with the shadow cabinet and discuss concerns around the reported cuts.

Locals stopped to shake hands with the politicians, who are rarely seen on the Fraser Coast.

One passerby in a car even yelled out “vote Labor” during the media conference.

Earlier in the morning, Bundaberg MP Tom Smith, who was in town for the shadow cabinet, took to Facebook with a complaint about the Maryborough MP.

“Has anyone ever stood in a cafe and have the Maryborough MP bizarrely yell at them in front of confused customers??? I have,” the post read.

The altercation has not been verified.

Originally published as Qld state shadow cabinet in Maryborough discussing Downer train jobs