A big budget surplus means nothing if a region is losing essential services and unemployment is going up, says the Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren.
The new Labor MP says the NSW state budget has nothing in it specifically for Campbelltown, especially when it comes to new jobs.
He says the latest ABS regional employment statistics reveal the unemployment rate in outer south west Sydney hit 6.6 per cent in May 2015, up from 5.1 per cent when the Liberals were elected in March 2011.
The Greater Sydney unemployment rate is 4.9 per cent.
There are now 9,200 people unemployed in the region – an additional 5,000 unemployed people since May 2015, says Mr Warren.
“Campbelltown also received regional city status from this government, but what good is that if things like government jobs are being taken away instead of brought here,’’ Mr Warren said.
He was referring to claims the Roads and Maritime Service centres in Ingleburn and Campbelltown would be relocated to a bigger centre at new suburb Gregorys Hill.
“The upward trend of unemployment in the Campbelltown area is unacceptable,” Mr Warren said.
“I know young people in Campbelltown are finding it particularly tough to get a job.
“Unfortunately it seems like the Liberals’ only plan to help young people get into a job is to make training less accessible by increasing TAFE fees.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“According to the Liberals, the economy is booming – but the almost 10,000 people on the unemployment list in Campbelltown aren’t feeling the boom.[/social_quote]
“It is crystal clear that following the election, Mike Baird and his Liberal team have all but forgotten Campbelltown.
“They’re closing our motor registries and now the Liberals are letting unemployment creep up.”
Mr Warren said yesterday’s state budget was the perfect opportunity for the government to tackle unemployment, for youths and adults, in this region.
“There’s hundreds of health department public service jobs in the North Shore that would be perfect to be relocated here, maybe at the vacant commercial building at the northern end of Queen Street in Campbelltown,’’ Mr Warren told the South West Voice today.
“Unfortunately for the people of this region, whether they are unemployed or just want to pop in somewhere to pay their car registration, there’s nothing in it for them.
“So what’s the point of a surplus for them?’’
Hear, hear Greg Warren! Well said.