Greater Western Sydney has one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in the nation; and according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the region is going to be “absolutely critical” to the nation’s future prosperity. The region takes in multiple local governments, and in a recent speech, Prime Minister Albanese outlined exactly how Western Sydney will contribute to Australia’s future.
Speaking at the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s 2024 Prime Ministers Luncheon, Prime Minister Albanese outlined a vision for a Future Made in Australia that put Western Sydney at its core.
“Western Sydney reflects the aspiration that drives Australia – the courage, compassion and community spirit that our government works every day to reward and to nourish,” the Prime Minister told the more than 500 business leaders, government and community representatives gathered at Sydney Olympic Park’s Accor Stadium.
“Our plan for a future made in Australia is about bringing new jobs and opportunities to every part of our country. While Western Sydney may not have vast reserves of nickel or lithium, it is home to a wealth of resources that are absolutely critical to our future.
“Great universities and researchers, Australia’s largest health and biomedical research precinct, one of the largest industrial and distribution hubs in the southern hemisphere, dynamic small businesses and start- ups, skilled workers in every field, engineers and architects, designers and manufacturers, cybersecurity and digital experts.
“And diaspora communities that help build and strengthen our international relationships and trade ties.”
Prime Minister Albanese cited the new headquarters of the Centre for Australia-India Relations in Parramatta as a prime example of this, saying that the Centre is a vital connection between Western Sydney, the third biggest economy in Australia, and India, on track to be the third biggest economy in the world.
The benefits of multiculturalism
Prime Minister Albanese also highlighted the fact that as Australians, the success story of modern multiculturalism is a powerful national asset.
“Our social cohesion is not something we’ve lucked into, it’s something we’ve built together over generations.
“That respect and harmony is something all of us can take pride in – and in testing times such as this, it’s something that all of us must work to uphold and defend.”
Western Sydney Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto, welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to a future made in Western Sydney.
“The Federal Government has recognised that Western Sydney offers a unique opportunity to fuel jobs growth, support innovation and boost the national economy,” Mr Leto said.
“As the Federal Government launches its signature $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia initiative, Western Sydney stands ready to deliver.
“Much of the region’s identity has been shaped by its makers, builders and innovators, and manufacturing has long been part of Western Sydney’s DNA. Western Sydney continues to demonstrate that it has the tenacity, skills and know-how to be the engine room of the nation.”
Investing in regions
Prime Minister Albanese told the audience that the latest Federal Budget takes the total investment in Western Sydney infrastructure to $17.3 billion.
“We’re backing 14 new projects, including key upgrades to Mamre Road Stage 2, Elizabeth Drive, Richmond Road, Garfield Road East, Memorial Avenue and Appin Road.
“We are doubling Roads to Recovery funding for every local council, and providing $20 million to work with the New South Wales Government to expand the scope of South West Sydney Rail Planning, including extending that line to Macarthur.
“We’re matching this investment – and this ambition – with proper planning.
“I’ve spoken to the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue before about the contribution infrastructure makes to our economy and our community, and the role the Commonwealth can play in the health and strength of our cities, suburbs and regions.
“We’re building new homes for this growing part of Sydney and we’re building the infrastructure to service that growth, to make local roads safer, to make moving freight easier, and to make sure that people spend less time stuck in traffic and more time where they want to be.
“Building big, building to last, building for the best – that always takes time. It’s true for infrastructure, but it’s true for the work of the government as a whole.
“In the same way that you can’t evaluate an infrastructure project on the basis of whether or not you’ll be around to open it, you can’t decide whether or not to tackle a problem based on how quick or simple it is to solve.
“Government isn’t about making the easy decisions – it’s about making the right decisions, for the right reasons.”
Global connections
Prime Minister Albanese said that the opening of Western Sydney International Airport in late 2026 will open the world to Western Sydney and that it will realign the dynamic of Sydney.
“For the first time, instead of everything turning in towards the CBD and Sydney Harbour, the city will be looking outward. We’ll be looking to the West to the new state-of-the-art airport and the new jobs of the Aerotropolis.
“Two of the biggest generators of economic activity a region can have are an airport or a university. Western Sydney will be home to both.”
Prime Minister Albanese said that he was reminded of something his mentor, Tom Uren, used to say about his time as Minister for Urban and Regional Development: we can’t deal with things in boxes.
“Because in a fast-growing, fast- moving community, everything is interconnected.
“You can’t wait until a project is complete before you start thinking about supporting infrastructure or public transport links.
“That’s especially important right now, when we are two years away from the first plane landing at Western Sydney Airport.”
Putting Western Sydney on the map
Western Sydney Dialogue Chairman, Christopher Brown, welcomed Prime Minister Albanese’s address, and said that the Prime Minister had a strong and proud association with the region stretching back decades.
“Our Prime Minister has stood by his commitment to put Western Sydney at the centre of its ambitions to grow the local economy on a global scale, and it was a pleasure to welcome him back to the stage at Homebush two years after he came to office,” Mr Brown said.
“It’s clear we have a real opportunity to generate new jobs, attract investment and help secure a stronger global economic footing in the Golden West.
“But this region has been hit hard by the housing crisis, rising energy prices and tough economic conditions. We need all levels of government, businesses, education providers and community advocates to back Western Sydney.
“We need to work together so we can seize the economic opportunities that once-in-a-generation projects like the Western Sydney International Airport and Aerotropolis offer.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged that Western Sydney had been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
“I’m here today because I recognise that Western Sydney is also a place where aspirations are under pressure. We understand that there are still people doing it tough right now.
“I know that when you are living week to week, it’s hard to even find the time to think about the future, let alone plan for it with confidence.
“That’s why last week’s Budget was about delivering on the two things that have driven our Government for two years – one, helping people with their cost of living; two, making our future here in Australia.”
Image: Taras Vyshnya/shutterstock.com
