NSW Premier and Opposition Leader outline big ideas for Western Sydney

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Opposition Leader Luke Foley have told a conference at Western Sydney University that the region requires considered and long-lasting investment to fully capitalise on its extraordinary potential.

Organised by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, the Out There conference was held on April 28 at Western Sydney University's Parramatta South campus. 

The conference examined the public policy and private investment required to fully cater for the region's continued economic growth. It also reviewed major public works currently under development, and showcased the region's future leaders and artistic talent.

Delivering the Lachlan Macquarie address, the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told the audience that Western Sydney is the heartbeat of the state, and new investments in the region, particularly in public transport, are improving the lives of local communities.

The NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley nominated education as his highest priority for the region, and pursuing an unprecedented schools building program.

During the conference, the Premier Gladys Berejiklian presented the Pemulwuy Prize for to the Western Sydney Diabetes Initiative, which was established in response to the growing threat diabetes poses to the Western Sydney community.

The Chair of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Christopher Brown says the conference was designed to bring together experts from government and private sectors to debate the region's key issues.

"With our population set to explode over the coming decades, Out There 17 looked beyond today's 'catchup' philosophy to encourage key stakeholders, opinion leaders and decision-makers to debate how their future plans will cater for tomorrow's generation," he says.

Speakers at the conference included:

• The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP, Premier of New South Wales
• Mr Luke Foley MP Leader of the NSW Opposition, Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
• The Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Assistant Minister for Cities & Digital Transformation
• The Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, State MP for Penrith; Minister for Western Sydney & WestConnex
• Professor Barney Glover, Vice Chancellor, Western Sydney University
• Andrew Abdo, Chief Commercial Officer, National Rugby League
• Amna Karra-Hassan, Founder, Auburn AFL Giants

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue is a non-partisan, not-for-profit initiative designed to engage the community in a productive discussion about Western Sydney.

Ends

28 April 2017

Mark Smith, Senior Media Officer