Strong Australia Illawarra

The Strong Australia Network centres on getting outside the major cities and bringing together suppliers, distributors, employees, customers and business organisations to discuss the issues facing our regions and work on the solutions to the challenges people face.

The Business Council of Australia and Business Illawarra partnered to bring together leading local Illawarra Region and national speakers at a luncheon and panel conversation on 4 May in Wollongong.

The event featured a panel moderated by Sky News’ Chief News Anchor, Kieran Gilbert, and included:

• Jennifer Westacott AO, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia
• Adam Zarth, Executive Director, Business Illawarra
• Mark Vassella, CEO, BlueScope
• Jason Economidis, Chief Operating Officer, South32.

The event highlighted the opportunities making the Illawarra-Shoalhaven a future clean energy, renewables and clean manufacturing powerhouse, including in defence. It also focused on what it would take to unleash the potential of the region, how business is reskilling to create the jobs of the future, and how companies like BlueScope and South32 are managing the challenges of decarbonisation to ensure the viability of the area for decades to come.

• Watch the panel
• Watch the Sky News post-event interview