The Illawarra’s state and federal Labor MPs have described ministerial crisis talks as a step in the right direction, as the community fights to save the region’s steelmaking and create jobs for the future.
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Despite no firm plans or strategy emerging from the round-table discussion convened by federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, Cunningham MP Sharon Bird and Member for Throsby Stephen Jones said they were heartened by agreements reached in the process.
‘‘There’s more work to be done, but the tone of the meeting was positive,’’ Mr Jones said.
‘‘I think everybody who walked out of there ... is committed to ensuring that we’re still making steel in this region and we are looking after the people who are displaced as a result of the [BlueScope] restructure.’’
Ms Bird said the ideas brought to the table were ‘‘really positive’’ and Mr Macfarlane listened to what everyone involved had to say.
‘‘As always, the proof will be in the announcement,’’ she said.
At a state level, Keira MP and Opposition spokesman for the Illawarra Ryan Park used the meeting to make Labor’s 10-point plan, announced on Friday, known.
Mr Macfarlane and his NSW counterpart Anthony Roberts were given copies of the plan.
Mr Park called for any government announcement to be made in the next couple of weeks.
‘‘[Labor is] putting our political caps down, putting our thinking caps on and working on every possible solution in a bipartisan way to advance the economic future of our region,’’ he said.
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson was also involved in the talks, while Wollongong MP Noreen Hay was represented by one of her staff.