More than 4000 Illawarra workers have become jobless since the phrase "global financial crisis" came into use.

In a region where 12,000 jobs (6000 directly and 6000 indirectly) hinge on steel manufacturing, there is an obvious target for a PM looking to provide regional economic stimulation while creating jobs.

Just under a month ago the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) gave the Federal Government a 10-point national steel plan aimed at helping save steelworks jobs like those at Port Kembla that are threatened by falling world demand for steel.

The plan recommends implementing anti-dumping safeguards allowed by the World Trade Organisation and a strong preference for Australian steel in procurement arrangements, as part of any new stimulus package.

AWU Port Kembla branch secretary Andy Gillespie said the union had made it clear that action on the plan was needed "sooner rather than later".

"I don't know that it could wait much longer than the budget," he said.

"The Government has got to realise how urgent the situation is.

"I'd be very disappointed if at least some of the plan wasn't included."

Completion of the Maldon-Dombarton rail link - for which a $300,000 pre-feasibility study has been done - would also set Port Kembla up for when the good times return.

Given the Government is set to fund a $7.2 billion north-south inland rail freight corridor from Melbourne to Brisbane in tomorrow's budget, Maldon-Dombarton must surely fit into the long-term goals of linking major ports and improving freight transport links.