Prime Minster Anthony Albanese has announced the candidate for Whitlam, but is yet to set an election date. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Prime Minister has visited the Illawarra to spruik the new candidate for Whitlam, announce funding for a Shellharbour family precinct and offer support for Bluescope workers amid fears of tariffs from the US.
Anthony Albanese officially confirmed Carol Berry as Labor’s incoming candidate for the electorate of Whitlam, after current member and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones announced his retirement last month.
“It’s fantastic that Carol has been preselected unopposed,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “That says a lot about the standing that Carol has in this local community and the respect and support that she will bring as the member for Whitlam.”
He assured that there was no ‘parachuting’ in candidates and that Ms Berry had the complete support of the local Labor cohort.
“Every single member of the Labor Party in the Illawarra participated in that process, and she received support,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
“It isn’t surprising because we haven’t brought in a 20-year-old here; we have brought in someone who has worked for decades and is embedded in this local community.”
The new candidate praised the work of outgoing member Stephen Jones and hoped to continue his approach if successful in winning the seat.
“Stephen is someone who has worn his heart on his sleeve,” Ms Berry said. “He’s someone who has touched millions of Australians, particularly with his compassionate approach to leadership, and I intend to emulate that approach when I hopefully win this election.”
Ms Berry spoke on her contributions to the community from sporting sausage sizzles to being CEO of organisations such as the Women’s Health Centre in Warilla and The Disability Trust.
“I’m someone who has given back to our community for decades; I’m very passionate about standing up for this community and I can’t wait to get started,” she said.
She also has experience in state and federal politics, but the Prime Minister appeared to have no concerns that much of that was with the Greens party.
“She joined a minor political party when she was very young,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “She’s been a member of the Labor Party for over 20 years.
“The Greens don’t provide a way forward.”
“The Greens are a party of protest.”
Whitlam candidate and former Disability Trust CEO Carol Berry (second from right) at the launch of a playground in Wollongong. Photo: Jen White.
The visit also came with the announcement of a $851,279 boost for the Shellharbour Integrated Child and Family Precinct.
“The money will be set aside for planning in conjunction with local families to set up a one-stop shop for early childhood and family support services right in the middle of Shellharbour,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
The funding will go towards a comprehensive business case, master plan and detailed designs for a holistic services hub, with the project being delivered by Karitane with Barnardos Australia and the University of New South Wales.
Planning work is set to consider the revitalisation of the site and connections to nearby services, as well as parking and public transport.
Following the announcements in Shellharbour, the Prime Minister set off to the steelworks to meet with BlueScope workers.
The visit comes amid conversations between the Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump surrounding potential tariffs on steel and aluminium exports.
“We have put a very strong case,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
“In President Trump’s own words, he said that ‘Australia would be given great consideration for an exemption’.
He also shared words of support for Illawarra workers in the steel industry.
“My message is very clear, which is, we’ve got your back,” he said. “We support blue-collar jobs.”
The visit was not all smooth sailing, with hecklers criticising the Prime Minister during a media conference, with many of their comments regarding offshore wind farm plans.
A report from a Senate inquiry into wind farms has been delayed, pushing the outcomes even closer to the upcoming election.
“We don’t control the Senate,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “We have 25 votes out of 76.”
The Prime Minister gave no indication of when he would call the election.
“If there’s a Senate and House of Reps election, it has to be before May 17.”
Original Article published by Keeli Royle on Region Illawarra.
