THE Minister for the Illawarra and Minister for Finance Greg Pearce has agreed to speak at a community forum to debate the NSW Government’s plan to privatise the Port of Port Kembla.

Organised by Wollongong City Council’s Port Working Group, the forum will be held on Wednesday November 7 at 6.30pm at Wollongong Town Hall.

The forum will debate the pros and cons associated with the proposed privatisation of the Port of Port Kembla.  ABC journalist Nick McLaren will be MC and mediator.

The forum is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for our local community to be informed about the State Government proposal and raise questions answered directly with Mr Pearce.

Secretary of The South Coast labour Council Arthur Rorris will also speak at the Forum.

“Finally the Illawarra community will have our chance to hear directly from the Government about the port privatisation proposals and to weigh up all sides of this argument,” Mr Rorris said.

Chairperson of Council’s Port Working Group, Cr Vicki Curran said NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell is yet to respond to an invitation to speak on the forum.

“We hope he will prioritise the Illawarra community on the 7th November and attend what is sure to be a great debate regarding the privatisation of our Port”.

For more information please call Cr Curran 0419 691 688