STEEL IN THE ECONOMY
It's great to see Debra Murphy talking about the Illawarra's future economy rather than arguing that coal mining has to continue to be a major component (Knowledge economy is our region's future, Illawarra Mercury, 31 May).
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In fact she seems to have abandoned the whole package of coal, steel and manufacturing, turning her attention to the role of the university in growing professional services and “highly skilled, innovative business”.
Many of these could be set up anywhere.
Rather than switching emphasis from one sector to another, we should be building on the region's strengths and targeting sectors of advanced manufacturing and the knowledge economy where we have some advantage.
The unions and community have conducted a big campaign to save the steelworks.
Steel will be an essential component of advanced manufacturing for the foreseeable future.
Wollongong has a unique advantage to develop steel and other components for a sustainable building industry. But we're still waiting to see any spinoffs from UOW's wonderful Illawarra Flame House.
The Greens' Steel Industry Protection Bill has been debated in parliament. It's more important for the region's future economy for Parliament to pass this bill now than for us to hear what Labor will do if they win power in 2019.
Helen Wilson, Bulli
EXAMINING THE ISSUES
Sharon Bird’s recent Cunningham Examiner has some great content, but is silent on two key areas we know matter to Illawarra residents: refugees and climate change.
Wollongong welcomes refugees.
Our council and Lord Mayor are very supportive of refugees settling in our region.
People seeking asylum have been an asset to Australia for generations and they can help make our country stronger than it has ever been.
Dangerous climate change is going to impact on the Illawarra through sea level rise, flooding from increasing occurrence of storm surges, more extreme weather, bushfires, and storms.
The Greens have a positive plan to reduce carbon emissions and at the same time create a clean and green future for the Australian economy.
This will secure all the benefits of lower prices, better technologies, more jobs and significant export opportunities for innovative technologies and services developed and produced in Australia. Our very own Sustainable Building Research Centre at UOW is part of this future.
The Greens have much stronger policies on compassion for refugees and action on climate change, so perhaps that is why Ms Bird chooses not to draw attention to them.
Cath Blakey, Greens Candidate for Cunningham, Bulli
A SAD PASSING
It is with great sadness that the Illawarra marks the passing of The Godfather Tom Pickard.
A founder of The Arcadians Theatre group, a writer, producer, and mentor to many in the Illawarra and beyond.
His contribution to theatre in the Illawarra in unsurpassed. His legacy is great and our memories of him are profound, happy and most of all grateful.
Farewell Tom Pickard. Break a leg.
Tom Francis, Thirroul
- Letters on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by Fairfax Illawarra and South East NSW group managing editor Kim Treasure, 77 Market St, Wollongong. Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations and include their telephone number for verification. Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.
