The Local Government elections on Saturday 3 September have produced an historic result for Liberals in the Illawarra said Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Illawarra based Liberal Senator.
“Six years ago I established my office in the Illawarra and I am thrilled that we have seen another important step of more balanced representation for the Illawarra,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.
“The results show a swing against the Australian Labor Party and the Liberals hope to have four to five of the 12 councillors in Wollongong and two to three in Shellharbour.
“I would like to congratulate John Dorahy and his team in Wollongong and Kellie Marsh and her team in Shellharbour.
“The Illawarra is the carbon tax capital of Australia and the area will feel its impact on the steel and coal industries hard.
“This is on top of the current job losses, something the Prime Minister and the unions seem unable to stop.
“It is clear that the carbon tax has played a big part in these elections – as it did in the state election.
“Just days after Julia Gillard visited the Illawarra, there were big swings in polling booths all over the Illawarra, including in previously strong Labor areas close to the Steelworks.
“As I spoke to people at polling booths from Shell Cove in the south to Thirroul in the north, the message was the same – anti-Labor and anti-carbon tax.”