Labour calls for inquiry into KiwiRail wagons

An inquiry into faults found with KiwiRail's Chinese-made wagons is being called for by Labour.

Dunedin South MP Clare Curran says Hillside workers have also been banned from commenting on the numerous faults, which Ms Curran says range from faulty handbrakes to minimal spare parts.

She says Kiwirail has driven Dunedin's Hillside workshop into the ground, going from 200 staff in 2008 to 123 today.

Ms Curran believes there are too many questions that need to be answered.

"The fact that they are gagging their workforce from speaking about the quality issues of the Chinese wagons, raises too many questions and I think there has to be an inquiry.

"I'm going to write to the Auditor-General this week to ask for an investigation."

"It very much looks as if KiwiRail has made a case for its own workshops not to get the work rather than try to allow them a level playing field with the other bidders."

Photo: NZ Herald