David Campbell got it right!
What crap
Ultimately a small business has to react to the greater market in which it finds itself. And greater Wollongong has been neglected by successive govts of all levels and persuasions at least since WW2. As a mostly labor party voting businessman all my life, it is time we started to swing as political seats. And then so many of the economic problems that have arisen for the gong would start to be addressed, even by bumbling ultra mediocre pedestrian blobs like NSW state labor.
Regards
MICHAEL BATES Hi Andrew,
you make some really good points here.
I know that you are not afriad to voice your convictions and that is good.
I do hope that rather than your comments and those of Minister Campbell causing "offence" that they will in fact cause people to rethink the strategy to address this serious problem.
Just thought i'd drop you a line of encouragement, after all wouldn't want you to feel too lonley out on that limb? :)
regards,
Paul The lack of employment opportunities in the Illawarra is not helped by large companies from outside the area who win contracts and bring their labour with them. The recent construction of the new Tallawarra Power Station was mainly with outside labour and even some of the permanent jobs have gone to outsiders. The new Innovation Campus has employed mainly labour from Sydney and no doubt several other large contracts are the same. The chances for apprenticeships is slim because of the recent practice of contracting out for services and no business is going to commit to training without the certainty of having continuos employment to be able to ensure work for the apprentices. I was always told that any company or businesses biggest assets were it's employees but with the current idea of maximising profits for shareholders I foresee many shooting themselves in the foot and going out of business due to the lack of investing in training. David Campbell doesn't have the employment history to really appreciate what is needed and is too simplistic in his views plus he should have done more to get investment by the Government in the region and lead by example. The amount of infrastructure upgrades needed would ensure more employment opportunities for everyone.
N. Hodges Kanahooka What, did the Ministers office write this for you Andrew? - I hardly know where to start there is that much unadulterated naive nonsense in your so called ‘news article’!
Regards, Shaun Prince Well said, Andrew, but who's listening?
Even the charities which were given [free, gratis, and no charge] all those valuable licences to run unemployment agencies, seem to be following feed them and keep them warm syndrome rather than finding people jobs and teaching them self sufficiency.
Fergie WCC planning issues
It was pleasing to see that David Farmer in his letter to ICAC had enough confidence in the remaining seven elected councillors to strongly believe that council could function sufficiently to the council elections in September. (Mercury 14)
I saw how determined the councillors were at the last council meeting to work together as one entity, for one people, for the Illawarra.
But David Farmer’s belief was not borne out.
However, it is good to see his comments to ICAC about the planning section in his letter when he wrote of reviewing, strengthening of auditing with investigation of processes and conduct in all of the council's regulatory activities, including planning. Presenting an important opportunity to demonstrate transparently, openly and honestly, with any misconduct viewed with great seriousness and swift action.
Reviewing, investigation, transparently, openly, honestly in all including planning misconduct viewed with great serious and swift action. Interesting words when looked in that main context.
Anyone who has had doubt about any development over the last 20 years must now request the Council to do as stated above. The excuse of it already being built makes no difference on how the controversial developments came into being.
History consistently shows us that.
Alan Bond | 
