Election 2022: Disability, sports top agenda in final days of Gilmore campaign

Labor has backed plans to expand a “crucial” disability housing program on the South Coast in the final days of its election campaign, matching previous commitments by the Liberal party cent for cent.

Labor candidate Fiona Phillips has pledged to provide more than half a million dollars in funding for an upgraded disability housing complex in Ulladulla, matching a similar commitment by the Liberal party’s Andrew Constance months earlier.

The pledge comes in the final days of the 2022 Federal Election campaign, with both candidates in the marginal seat continuing to make new funding commitments to projects across the South Coast, including disability programs and shoreline revitalisation.

Speaking outside Jindelara Cottage on Wednesday, Ms Phillips said an Albanese Government would provide $638,000 to the disability housing centre, which would go towards helping to build a purpose-built residence on land purchased with the support of the Shoalhaven City Council.

“A purpose-built residence for people with a disability right next to a respite care facility means better care and a better life for some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” Ms Phillips said.

“Independent living is so crucial. It means getting people with a disability out of nursing homes and providing support.”

The expanded respite facility promises to improve services for a community that has around 50 people already requiring respite accommodation, according to Jindelara Cottage, as well as providing full-time employment for to up to 13 staff.

Coming in at $1.2 million, the project is partly funded by the Lions Ulladulla District Community Foundation who have committed the remaining $562,000. President Peter Turl said the funding announcement would allow, for the first time, a permanent residence to be built for persons with a significant disability.

“A lot of people living with a disability are able to coexist in a group home, for instance, with a minimum amount of care, but for the people who are our client group, they often have very high care needs,” Mr Turl said.

“The number of facilities available for those people is also very small, particularly in this area.

“This funding will allow us to meet what has till now been a very large unmet need.”

Mr Turl said there were already at least four people on a waitlist to move into the new building.

In April, Liberal Andrew Constance joined Senator Marise Payne at the Ulladulla site in also announcing a $638,000 cash injection.

“Jindelara is an exceptional service supporting people with disabilities, their families and their carers and it’s without hesitation that we would match the support and funding from the community,” Mr Constance said.

“As a former Disabilities Services Minister, I’ll be doing everything possible if elected to represent people with disabilities, their carers and their families.”

Further north, Mr Constance made two funding announcements on Wednesday.

In Gerroa, the former Transport Minister announced a $60,000 pledge to support the Veterans Surf Project to expand its weekly program at Seven Mile Beach, should the Morrison Government be re-elected.

“The project is one of the most inspiring programs I’ve come across,” Mr Constance said.

“The combination of the ocean, sense of community, fitness, and socialising has been a literal lifesaver.”

The not-for-profit organisation offers support to Australian veterans suffering from PTSD through surf therapy and socialising. The new funding promises to allow the program to almost double its membership, from 700 to 1325 people.

Greg Williams is a member of the project, and had previously suffered suicidal thoughts.

“Since I started the program, those thoughts have just gone. That’s why it is so important to get more veterans involved,” Mr Williams said.

“I believe every veteran who has come through the program has had their lives changed.

“It has given them the confidence to get back out there.”

That same day, Mr Constance also announced that a re-elected Morrison Government would provide $6 million to Paringa Park in Shoalhaven to build a multi-level storage facility at the popular picnic and swimming spot.

Located near the Shoalhaven River, the area has reportedly seen an increase in recreational and sporting sailing, with funding to be used to build a new multi-watercraft building and boat launching facility will provide storage space and water access.

Mr Constance said the new facility will meet growing demand in the region.

“This announcement is a practical one. We see the growing demand and a Morrison Government wants to deliver a facility that will be used and enjoyed by many,” he said.