Ahead of the 2025 Federal Election, the Illawarra Flame is giving all local candidates a chance to share their vision for Australia.

The Labor Party's Alison Byrnes is the current Federal Member for Cunningham, the Commonwealth Electoral Division covering most of the Wollongong LGA, from Helensburgh to Windang and Unanderra. 

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Please tell us a bit about yourself. 

I was born, raised and have lived in the Illawarra my entire life. I grew up in Woonona, where I went to Woonona Public School and then Woonona High School. My dad was a coal miner and was in and out of work many times during his career. Like many families in the Illawarra when times were tough, we nearly lost our family home on multiple occasions. It is an experience and a feeling that you don’t easily forget.

What I experienced growing up is why throughout my working life and now as a Member of Parliament, I have stood up for and helped workers and vulnerable people.

In this job, it’s hard to find free time but when I do, I enjoy hiking, bushwalking, going to live music gigs and catching up with friends. Spending time exploring the natural beauty of the Illawarra is a great way to unwind and recharge. I have hiked around the escarpment as well as through the beautiful Royal National Park, which helped me prepare for the huge challenge that was the Kokoda Track. I went to Kokoda and completed the track in April 2024 to support a great local charity called Raising the Bar Foundation.

What inspired you to enter politics? 

I ran for parliament to make a difference because I care about people; I care about jobs; and I care about the planet. Since the election, the work that I do for the people living in Cunningham, has been guided by these values.

I was inspired by some of the great leaders in our community and public life that have shown that we need voices from all parts of our community with a range of life experiences to shape our local area and the nation. It isn’t always an easy role but it is one that I love doing.

Having people worrying about their job, paying the rent or mortgage, and putting food on the table can become overwhelming and something I don’t wish for anyone to experience. That’s why I have supported every cost-of-living measure, from fairer tax cuts to energy bill relief, through to cheaper childcare and cheaper medicines – because every little bit helps. I have also strongly advocated for access to better services such as aged, child and disability care, bulk billing and veterans’ entitlements.

What would be your top 3 priorities if re-elected? 

• 1. Build on the nearly $1 billion in local initiatives secured over the last three years.

In just under three years, I have fought hard and secured investments in health, education, aged care, infrastructure and cost-of-living relief, which has seen nearly $1 billion flow to the Illawarra. From supporting vital infrastructure projects, to providing 15 local schools with overdue upgrades to improving local sporting facilities by adding accessible changerooms – I have been backing our region every day and every step of the way. I am laser focused on getting more money into the region and I will continue to fight and advocate for all projects that will benefit our community and the region.

• 2. A strong public service delivering better local services.

I am committed to making sure locals have access to the services they need and deserve.

Since 2022, the Albanese Government has been rebuilding the Australian Public Service after a decade of neglect. This has significantly improved vital services that Australians rely on. We have cleared the backlog of veterans’ claims, doubled the on-time environmental approval rate, slashed visa and passport processing times, taken action against dodgy NDIS providers, and slashed Medicare and Centrelink backlog and average processing times. All of these things need good people in good public sector roles.

Peter Dutton’s plan to sack 36,000 public servants will leave us all worse off with local job cuts, local service cuts and a multiplier effect of those job losses on the local economy.

• 3. A sustainable Future Made in Australia.

I will always work hard for the region to make sure we have secure and well-paying jobs. For nearly 100 years our steel industry has provided the steel to build our nation and we now have an opportunity to help build a more sustainable future driven by our own innovation and new technologies for the steel industry and industries that need steel like renewable energy and home building.

I am committed to a Future Made in Australia, starting right here in the Illawarra, supporting our steel industry, and attracting new industries that support the development of clean technology, like community batteries and electrification.

If you could deliver one key local project in your next term, what would it be? 

We have started so many new projects in the past three years, and there are still so many I want to see come to life. Responsible leadership is about looking to the future and aiming big. I would never limit our region to just one project.

From infrastructure upgrades like the Mt Ousley Interchange, to supporting increased manufacturing with a TAFE Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence and an Energy Future Skills Centre at the University of Wollongong.

I want Cunningham to be a region that is open to ideas and avenues for growth – because we have so much to give and still have so much we can learn.

While every project is important for the region's prosperity, the one project that every Cunningham candidate should get behind is a financial commitment to help build the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library.

Liberal, Green or independent candidates should match my commitment to provide a $10 million contribution if the Albanese Government is re-elected. If candidates cannot match that they are not serious about the region or supporting communities who would get a huge boost from such an investment.

Why are you the best person for the job? 

I have a track record of delivering for the region with nearly $1 billion in local initiatives in the last three years and I would love the opportunity to continue to fight for and deliver for the region.

I will always fight hard for people, jobs, and the planet – because that’s what our future demands, and it’s what the Illawarra deserves.

Read more

The Illawarra Flame puts the same questions to all candidates, giving everyone a chance to share their vision for Australia.

• Q&A with Amanda Ivaneza, Liberal candidate for Cunningham 
• Q&A with Jess Whittaker, Greens candidate for Cunningham 
• Q&A with Alison Byrnes, the current Labor MP for Cunningham
• Q&A with Carol Berry, Labor candidate for Whitlam
• Q&A with Ben Britton, Liberal candidate for Whitlam