NSW Labor Leader Luke Foley today used his Budget-In-Reply speech in the Legislative Assembly to re-affirm a Labor Government elected in 2019 will implement all measures contained in the Illawarra Jobs Action Plan.

On Tuesday, the Treasurer didn’t even mention the Illawarra region in his Budget Speech.

Mr Foley told Parliament that the Illawarra Jobs Action Plan will secure the future of the Steel Industry at Port Kembla, increase job opportunities by upgrading the WIN Entertainment Centre and upgrading the Appin Road.

Mr Foley described the Illawarra Jobs Action Plan as a comprehensive strategy to back the potential of the Illawarra region.

The Illawarra Jobs Action Plan measures include:

• Mandating the use of 90 per cent Australian made steel in NSW Government funded infrastructure projects
• Upgrading the Appin Road ($50 million)
• Support construction of the Maldon-Dombarton rail link ($50 million foundation funding contribution)
• Upgrading WIN Entertainment Centre ($50 million)
• Upgrade of the Mt Keira Summit Park ($5 million)
• Building a new interchange at Springhill and Masters Road ($40 million)
• Relocating Liquor and Gaming NSW to Wollongong
• Re-establishing an Illawarra Green Jobs initiative
• Build an iMake Maker Space at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus ($5 million)
• Build the Unanderra Station lifts ($25 million)

In other major announcements, Mr Foley today also committed a Labor Government to:

• Require 15 per cent of all jobs on NSW Government construction jobs to be allocated towards apprentices, trainees, Indigenous Australians and the long-term unemployed
• Listing the Royal National Park for World Heritage Listing to protect it from any plan to build the F6 extension through it
• A plan to tackle elective surgery waiting lists and establish Nurse Walk-In Centres.

Comments attributable to Ryan Park MP:

“Today’s Budget-In-Reply Speech shows that the Illawarra will be front and centre of the agenda of a Labor Government.”

Comments attributable to Anna Watson MP:

“The announcement to reserve 15% of publicly funded construction jobs for apprentices, trainees, Indigenous Australians and long-term unemployed will give some hope to the young people in Shellharbour who have seen Dapto TAFE wiped out under this Government.”

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“Labor is absolutely committed to the future of Wollongong, unlike the Liberals who couldn’t even mention us and continue to ignore our needs.”