New book could attract regional investors

29 August 2001

A new book on the Illawarra region, which is the largest regional study of its kind in Australia, will be launched tomorrow (Thursday 30 August) at the University of Wollongong.

Published by UOW Press ,Regional Employment Relations at Work, is a survey of regional workplace industrial relations in the Illawarra.

Attending the launch of the publication, which was co-written by Associate Professor Ray Markey, Dr Ann Hodgkinson, Ms Terri Mylett and Mr Simon Pomfret, will be the Member for Wollongong, Mr Col Markham.

By debunking many preconceived myths about the Illawarra region, the authors believe the book could help to attract a greater number of investors to the Illawarra, where growing hospitality and service industries have become as important as traditional manufacturing.

"It began with an idea that the traditional poor image of industrial relations in the Illawarra was maybe ill-deserved," Professor Markey said.

"There is the image that the Illawarra is strike prone and has a high degree of industrial militancy which over time has discouraged investment and new industries in the region," he said. Professor Markey began field work for the book in 1997.

Professor Markey also said that while many of the outcomes of employment relations practices in the Illawarra were not so different to those nationally, there were some distinctive characteristics which were usually positive.

"Some of the distinctive characteristics included a high degree of unionism as well as a high degree of employer networking which seems to promote positive outcomes."

He said the findings of the publication would be of interest to residents, employers and employees in the Illawarra, as well as potential investors.