Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward and Keira MP Ryan Park gave their best pitches to win over the business community at a state election forum on Thursday night.
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The Illawarra Business Chamber hosted the discussion between Illawarra's senior representatives.
The Labor and Liberal MPs had the chance to speak about their parties' campaign platforms and what they would do to support the Illawarra’s economy if elected to government.
Topics discussed were economic growth, rail and road plans including the Maldon to Dombarton line and Picton Road, skills shortages and vocational training, and the tourism industry before chamber members could ask the candidates questions.
Mr Park said a Labor government would make a $225 million commitment to the region for key projects.
"[The key projects are] a $50 million direct commitment to Appin Road combined with the federal government's $50 million," he said.
"Fifty million dollars to upgrade the WIN Entertainment Centre. The centre is something we are all fond of but it is in desperate need of rejuvenation.
"Something near and dear to my heart is spending $5 million at the Mount Keira Summit Park.
"The MakerSpace investment at the university will also attract those who want to go down a business path."
Mr Park said he would be proud to relocate a government agency, Liquor and Gaming, to the region, which would bring white collar jobs and economic activity. He said those commitments were on top announcements about schools, hospitals and rail, which Labor has prioritised before the F6.
"We focused on projects that were evidence-based, were clearly needed for the community, and generated jobs and investment to stimulate our local economy," he said.
Mr Ward said the future was bright for the region.
He spruiked NSW's lowest unemployment rate in the state's history at 3.9 per cent, the government's no net debt and it can invest the strength of the economy back into the front line services.
"People have seen [the strength of the economy] from the completed Princes Highway upgrades at Gerringong and the completed Berry Bypass," he said. "We have the biggest infrastructure project the area has seen, the Albion Park Rail bypass.
"We have established an infrastructure skills legacy hub so 20 per cent of those jobs go to apprentices, trainees and Aboriginal people.
Mr Ward said over the next four years a Liberal government is planning to spend around $90 billion on infrastructure across the state.
"We have delivered on our promise to upgrade Wollongong Hospital, and Bulli Hospital will be completed towards the end of this year with fit out through 2020," he said.
"We have said we want to lift the payroll-free tax threshold to encourage people to invest back into their businesses."
Mr Ward said a Liberal government would employ extra trains on the South Coast line, increase seating capacity and investigate a South Coast fast trains.
