Mr Scully wrote to the Treasurer, Dom Perrottet MP yesterday (see attachment) proposing the Wollongong Economic Recovery Roundtable, which would meet online and involve wide representation from stakeholders in business, trade unions, industry and not for profit representatives.

He told the Treasurer in his letter, “Wollongong is the major city centre for the Wollongong region.  Wollongong’s economic health is crucially important to the social wellbeing of the region.”

Mr Scully said that Wollongong was statistically and demographically a microcosm of South West and Western Sydney.

“There are 10,400 fewer people in Wollongong in work than in March 2020 and unemployment continues to increase.

“As the Government contemplates the easing of COVID restrictions across the state next month, now is the time for Wollongong’s key stakeholders and the wider community to convey to the NSW Treasurer, the additional measures we need to make sure the local economic recovery is sustainable and shared fairly.

“Our main priority has to be putting people back into the work they have lost as a consequence of this pandemic.

Mr Scully’s letter to Mr Perrottet said, “My invitation to you is offered…in a cooperative and bipartisan spirit of goodwill so we can all work together in an effort to make sure the Wollongong local economy recovers from the upheaval since June.”

NSW Labor Leader, Chris Minns MP has already met online with a range of Illawarra stakeholders on 2 September 2021 to discuss the pressures of the pandemic and how the economy and community could recovery with Government support.

Mr Scully said he would make final arrangements for the Roundtable once the Treasurer had confirmed his availability.