“JOBS and growth, jobs and growth, jobs and growth,” the Liberals cry
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“Health and education, health and education, health and education,’’ Labor responds.
The mantra of the major parties through this long, drawn-out election campaign has been zombie-like.
To the voters it’s been almost like a tortuous form of political waterboarding.
During the week Coalition members were popping up around the country like election meerkats announcing job packages for marginal electorates.
Typically, for the Illawarra, nothing.
With one week to go voters of the Illawarra, in terms of local commitment, should be really wondering what is in it for them.
The Labor candidates for Whitlam and Cunningham held a joint conference to spruik their promises and called on the other candidates to match them.
At least the Labor candidates have pledged money for some key projects in $50 million for an upgrade of Appin Rd (wherever on the road that is) and $50 million to restart the stalled talled Maldon-Dombarton rail link. Those things are, at the very least, tangible.
In the last week of the election, the candidates of the major parties can do one important thing for the region and the city of Wollongong.
We need to have a strong united will to show the government we want this and we need this.
- Regional Development Australia Illawarra Eddy De Gabrielle
They can support – and indeed even commit funding for – the vision to transform the WIN Entertainment Centre into a fully fledged convention centre.
The fact Wollongong doesn’t have a large-scale conference facility already is an indictment on all levels of government. Now, there is an option.
The project on the table is a $60 million one which is going to need a large level of Federal funding.
It involves $40 million in funding for the upgrade of the 18-year-old building and the other $20 million is for a new Wollongong City Council multi-storey car park.
“We need to have a strong united will to show the government we want this and we need this,’’ Regional Development Australia Illawarra chair Eddy De Gabrielle said recently.
This would be a wonderful opportunity to show some vision for this region and commit to a project which will deliver for jobs and tourism in this region.