The Illawarra Business Chamber has today welcomed the announcement of a refreshed Cabinet by Premier Gladys Berejiklian featuring two incoming ministers from the Illawarra.
While Ms Hancock has been appointed to the key portfolio of Local Government, Mr Ward's promotion to Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services will see him take on responsibility for a complex area that is relied on by the most vulnerable in society.
Executive Director of the Illawarra Business Chamber, Mr Adam Zarth, welcomed the appointment as a win for the region which has seen the Illawarra's representation at the Cabinet table lifted from zero to two.
"On behalf of the Illawarra business community, I congratulate Gareth and Shelley on their appointment to the Ministry and indicate our eagerness to work with them to deliver the infrastructure, skills and workforce needed to grow our regional economy," said Mr Zarth.
"The growth of our region's skills base through programs like the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program and Illawarra YES, together with the significant upgrades we've seen to the Princes Highway are two major reasons why these appointments are well-deserved."
"With two voices from our region now around the Cabinet table, we hope that the issues confronting Illawarra businesses each day will take greater prominence; including the need to improve rail and road connectivity to Sydney's South West and to build the skilled workforce employers are calling out for."
"Business also looks forward to working with new Ministerial appointments in a number of other key portfolios, including Geoff Lee as Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Damien Tudehope as Minister for Finance and Small Business and Matt Kean as Minister for Energy and Environment."
