The NSW Opposition Leader, Jodi McKay has visited Wollongong today in her first official visit to the region since her election. Ms McKay has been a regular to the region when she was Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads.
The Opposition Leader visited the Wollongong Homeless Hub, the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra (MCCI) and met with the Illawarra Business Chamber as well as representatives from the University of Wollongong.
Ms McKay indicated that as Opposition Leader she would focus on homelessness, a crisis that is prevalent in NSW and here in the Illawarra. In her first speech as Opposition Leader she said wanted to tackle the difficult issues and make homelessness a priority issue.
She was joined by Shadow Minister for Homelessness Ryan Park and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully.
Ms McKay stressed the importance of reaching out to multicultural communities across NSW and paid credit to the work done by the MCCI.
The Opposition Leader was also pleased to hold introductory meetings in her new role with business and the region’s innovation flagship.
Quotes attributable to Opposition Leader Jodi McKay:
“The importance of the Illawarra cannot be overstated, I have always enjoyed visiting this community.”
“The Illawarra is fortunate to have strong representatives in the NSW Parliament, at senior levels, who are always advocating loudly for this region.
“Homelessness is a crisis facing NSW, which is why I have appointed Ryan Park as Shadow Minister for Homelessness.
“Today I have been able to see first-hand the great work being done at the Hub. They are a fantastic provider here in the region and are doing fantastic work to support those doing it extremely tough”
“This Liberal National Government, led by Gladys Berejiklian, might be happy to ignore this issue but it is something we will continue to talk about.
”Wollongong also has a proud history of migration. It is a strong multicultural community that is an example to the rest of the state and the country as to how people from different backgrounds build communities. The Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra has been central to this.
“In addition, I had the chance to talk through some issues with the business community and the crucial importance of innovation to this city with the University of Wollongong.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Homelessness, Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, Ryan Park:
“For many years I have been a supporter of the great work done by the Wollongong Homeless Hub so I was only too happy to invite the Opposition Leader to also see the great work they are doing.
“Each night here in our community there are people sleeping rough. Tonight there are hundreds of locals who won’t have somewhere warm to sleep.
“I will be working hard to ensure this issue, which really is a crisis, is getting the attention it deserves.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully:
“I spoke to Jodi about making a visit to Wollongong a priority when she became Labor Leader and I am pleased to host her here today.
“I wanted to make sure the needs of our community were in the mind of the Labor Leader so that when issues relating to our community are raised in the Parliament or at Shadow Cabinet she will not only understand where we are talking about but also who decisions will effect.
“I am sure that this will be the first of many continued visits by Jodi to the area.”
