The NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet needs to sit and listen to Wollongong concerns as the government maps a way out of the COVID pandemic.
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That's the attitude of Wollongong Labor MP Paul Scully, who has convened an online Wollongong Economic Recovery Roundtable to look at the challenges facing the region.
Mr Scully has written to Mr Perrottet on Wednesday, extending an invitation to take a seat at the roundtable.
The roundtable would include a range of business owners, from hospitality and tourism, to manufacturing and construction, as well as local government representatives.
"I am sure that Wollongong's many stakeholders and the wider community would welcome an opportunity to meet with you as Treasurer," Mr Scully wrote, "and a member of the government's Crisis Committee of Cabinet, and for you to listen to their needs, as we plan the economic and social recovery."
He noted that Labor leader Chris Minns had already met online with a range of Illawarra business leaders, industry and trade unions earlier this month.
To make it easy on Mr Perrottet, Mr Scully said he would arrange the roundtable around the Treasurer's busy schedule.
Mr Scully said the rising rate of unemployment was a major concern for the region.
"Our main priority has to be putting people back into the work they have lost as a consequence of this pandemic," he said.
"There are 10,400 fewer people in Wollongong in work than in March 2020 and unemployment continues to increase."
A spokesman for Mr Perrottet said the letter had been received and "once the Treasurer has had an opportunity to consider it he will respond".
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