Government forum held at Umina Beach

An employment forum hosted by Minister for Employment Participation Senator Mark Arbib and Parliamentary Secretary for Employment Mr Jason Clare was held at Ocean Beach Surf Club on September 22.

The Keep Australia Working forum was one of 20 forums held across Australia to start work on local jobs plans for the regions hardest hit by the global economic recession.

Senator Arbib said: "The global recession has hit communities like this one harder than others.

"In places like the Central Coast, we need to go the extra mile to support local jobs.

"We have appointed Jack Ritchie as the local employment coordinator to look for new job opportunities and work with business and the community to develop local a plan for jobs for the future."

Mr Ritchie has 20 years experience in working with government and local communities to drive regional development in film and television and cultural projects as well as working with disadvantaged young people.

Mr Clare said the Central Coast region had suffered as a result of the global downturn and this was part of the government's plan to support jobs in the region.

"Around one in six people in the region are on some kind of income support which is above the national average," Mr Clare said.

Also in attendance was Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal.

"Across the priority region $570 million has been invested in projects to stimulate the economy," Ms Neal said.

Press release, 22 Sep 2009 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson