Funding

Dear Illawarra Resident,

Since 1996, the Howard Government has delivered over $2 billion for the Illawarra seats of Throsby and Cunningham. This specific funding to our local community does not include benefits paid, for example, through Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Pensions, HECS or Tax Cuts.

As a result of the Howard Government's responsible economic management, we are in a much stronger position now than in 1996. The Howard Government is committed to making the decisions necessary to lock in prosperity, secure economic growth and ensure jobs and wages continue to grow. It is because of the strong economic management over the last 11 years that Throsby and Cunningham, like other electorates around Australia, have been able to share in funding allocations under so many programs.

The information provided on this website demonstrates clearly how the Howard Government has consistently, over the past 11 years, helped the region in so many different ways, but most importantly, how the Howard Government has directly assisted many of our local community organisations. In particular, the Howard Government has provided substantial funding to Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils to assist them to provide services to the Illawarra. For example in 2007/2008 these councils will receive close to $17 million in Federal Government General Purpose and Road Grants. The $13.2 million to Wollongong City Council is the second highest allocated to any Council in NSW in 2007/2008. This is in stark contrast to the constant criticism about lack of funding for the Illawarra area. The information contained on this website shows that such claims are wrong and misleading.

Since establishing my Electorate Office in Wollongong in October 2005, I have been pleased to announce many Howard Government programs and initiatives. This has ranged from the $5 million Port Kembla Industry Facilitation Fund through which support was given to local industries to foster economic and job growth in the region, to the $9 million given to government schools and $1.6 million to non-government schools under the Investing in our Schools Programme, to small community water grants or small equipment grants for local community groups. The Howard Government has also strongly supported the University of Wollongong which has played, and will continue to play, a major role in the development of the Illawarra.

I have very much enjoyed visiting some of the organisations and individuals that the Howard Government has been able to assist and to see first hand, the enormous contribution these organisations make to the life and social fabric of our great region.

I hope that by providing this information, more organisations and community groups are encouraged to visit the website and identify funding initiatives which may be of assistance to them and where appropriate, apply for funding. Regrettably, many of these funding opportunities have not received attention from the local media. Consequently, organisations have not been aware of funding opportunities and have not applied.

I trust that you find this information useful and that it assists in clarifying any misconceptions about funding sources. I invite you to explore the website senatorcfw.com.au and see for yourself the significant financial support delivered by the Howard Government to the Illawarra.

Yours sincerely

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
Liberal Senator for New South Wales