Federal Illawarra Labor MPs Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones have today welcomed the Commonwealth Governments Industry and Innovation policy which outlined a $1 billion plan for Australian jobs.

This is an industry plan which is focused on getting more for Australian workers and businesses out of the mining boom.

In the Illawarra we particularly understand the importance of this opportunity for our local jobs.

After the Bluescope restructure we established a manufacturing committee which I chaired to drive policy changes to assist Australian manufactures.

Our objectives were to improve anti dumping measures and more Australian content to support more Australian jobs.

This plan delivers on those key objectives, Mr Jones said.

Ms Bird said, The Illawarra has shown its great potential to deliver innovation and translate research into jobs.

The Prime Ministers announcement puts Stephen and I in a strong position to develop some of these local initiatives and create new job opportunities in the Illawarra region.

Ms Bird and Mr Jones said that the strength of todays announcement is that it recognizes we need to two things at once: provide support for existing jobs and businesses and provide a springboard for the next generation of jobs and businesses.

Along with the Governments investments in education and skills, infrastructure, clean energy and the National Broadband Network, A Plan for Australian Jobs will ensure our nation and our region seizes the opportunities of the future.