Yesterday, the Morrison Government announced grants to help boost manufacturing. However, only one business in the Gilmore electorate received funding under the program, despite the region’s high unemployment rates and the double hit of bushfires and COVID‑19.

Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP said that while it was fantastic that Nowchem had received almost $100,000 under the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund, she was disappointed that other local businesses had missed out.

“I will always support any program that helps create jobs and supports local businesses to improve their operations,” Fiona Phillips said.

“But I know that so many businesses are hurting after the fires and now coronavirus, so I had hoped the Morrison Government would provide adequate support to local manufacturers,” Mrs Phillips said.

Even before the impact of the fires and COVID-19, Nowra, Ulladulla and Batemans Bay’s unemployment rates were 17.5%, 9.3% and 9.9% respectively*.

“We know that the South Coast has some of the highest unemployment rates in the country, even before the economic crises that have unfolded this year,” the Gilmore MP said.

“The government needs to get serious about creating local jobs and stimulating our economy. We hear promise after promise of support but this is just another example of that support failing to eventuate,”

“After everything our community has been through, we need a government that is willing to step up – not one that has us living on false hope,” Fiona Phillips said.

*according to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s Small Area Labour Market data.