NSW Labor are backing local manufacturing in the wake of yet another public transport infrastructure failure, identified in the Spanish-built Inner West light rail.

The L1 Dulwich Hill to Central light rail line will be nonoperational for up to 18 months due to extensive cracking in all 12 vehicles.

Buses will replace the light rail for the duration of the nonoperational period, significant lengthening passengers’ commute time.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns told Ben Fordham there is “absolutely” a case to be made for domestic transport manufacturing.

He made a list of recent overseas manufacturing issues, including Korean-built trains which didn’t fit our tracks and Indonesian-built ferries that can’t travel at night.

“This is not racking up for taxpayers, and it’s not good for commuters either.

“Now’s the time to rule a line in the sand here; start backing Australian manufacturing.

“Australian know-how is the way to fix this perennial problem.”

Press PLAY below to hear Labor’s pledge

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