STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms BYRNES (Cunningham) (13:31): In recent weeks, I have proudly delivered a number of important Albanese Labor government investments for the Illawarra. We've secured funding for more local aged-care beds, backed local advanced manufacturing, supported NAIDOC Week celebrations and invested in key community projects. We've also celebrated major milestones for the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library, the Housing Trust's Warruya project and the Corrimal urgent care clinic.

This week I have been thrilled to announce more than $16.2 million for local powerhouse SASSI to deliver 21 new homes for women and children escaping family and domestic violence. This funding, delivered through the Housing Australia Future Fund's Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program, is part of our government's commitment to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes nationally.

It brings the total number of new social and affordable homes we've delivered across the Illawarra to 80. That is alongside a further 51 new and refurbished social homes in the Wollongong local area through Labor's Social Housing Accelerator. For women and children fleeing violence, a safe place to turn can make all the difference.

It's more than a roof over their heads; it means security, dignity and the chance to rebuild. Thank you to Penny and the entire SASSI team for your lifechanging work supporting vulnerable people across the Illawarra. There's more to do, and we'll keep working to deliver the investment that our community needs.