NSW Labor offers support to Cobar community

The NSW Labor Opposition has called on the Berejikjlian-Barilaro Government to fast track any infrastructure projects it has been considering, including any Resources for Regions program funding applications, to help the Cobar community recover from job cuts.

The Far Western NSW community of Cobar is reeling from the the devastating news that 130 jobs will be cut from the local mine.

The announcement on Wednesday that CBH Resources would restructure its operations at the Endeavour Mine is a blow to a small town of 4000 people.

NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay has asked her Shadow Natural Resources Minister Paul Scully to write to the Acting Premier, John Barilaro MP, to request that his government fast track any infrastructure projects it was considering.

“Whatever government can do to assist communities like Cobar in times like this should be done. John Barilaro should pull out all stops to help – how is his time to step up.”

“Regional jobs are so crucial to the local economy that government must do everything it can within its powers to assist.”

Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Paul Scully MP spoke with the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP on Wednesday to offer his support and any assistance that NSW Labor could provide the Cobar community.

Mr Scully has asked the Acting Premier to announce any Resource for Regions program application the local council may have applied for and get the funding flowing as quickly as possible.

Mr Scully has also called on the Government to reconsider any job restructure proposal being contemplated in any NSW public sector agency in the rural electorate.

Mr Scully said he hoped the banks, other financial institutions, and other businesses with customers in Cobar would be sympathetic to the circumstances of the shell-shocked local community.

“I know the feeling of what the small town of Cobar is going through today,” said Mr Scully.

“The region I represent – Wollongong and the Illawarra – has itself gone through several large employer company restructuring in the steel and coal industry where significant jobs have been cut.

“I contacted my Parliamentary colleague, Member for Barwon, Roy Butler on Wednesday to offer NSW Labor’s support to his local community during this time of anxiety and uncertainty for Cobar.”

“We all need to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Cobar. NSW Labor will do whatever we can to help Roy Butler get the support his community needs from the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government during this difficult period.”

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