The Daily Telegraph and NewsLocal launch ‘Fair Go for the West’ campaign for Western Sydney

News Corp Australia’s NSW state director Brett Clegg has today announced the launch of the company’s ‘Fair Go for the West’ campaign led by The Daily Telegraph and NewsLocal.

The 57-day multi-faceted campaign highlights the stark disparity in the distribution of economic resources across infrastructure, health, emergency services, roads and jobs across Sydney. It aims to deliver sustainable and positive changes in Western Sydney, and improve the living conditions for people living and working in the area.

The campaign has received backing from the community, corporate sponsors, television and radio, making it one of the biggest and most ambitious campaigns News Corp Australia has undertaken.

The National Australia Bank has come on board as a gold partner with NRMA Road Services, University of Western Sydney, Crown Resorts and Harvey Norman playing crucial supporting partner roles in the campaign.

Nova 96.9 and Channel 7 are the official media partners.

Says Clegg: “Western Sydney is a heartland of The Daily Telegraph. With ‘Fair Go for the West’, we want to achieve real change for those living and working in the area; and we also want to change perceptions and celebrate the best the west has to offer.

“I’m excited to be working with all of our partners in endorsing sustainable change in Western Sydney.”

The Daily Telegraph editor Paul Whittaker said the idea for the ‘Fair Go for The West’ campaign began last October with an urgent call for action from the leadership group of the University of Western Sydney when they visited him to discuss the shortfall in resources that exists in Western Sydney.

Says Whittaker: ”The point of that meeting was to identify many of the inequities throughout Western Sydney in areas such as transport, health and education when compared to the rest of the city, and to find ways to repair that imbalance.

”That initial discussion has grown into a fully-fledged, corporate-backed rallying cry for decent outcomes across Western Sydney. The O’Farrell Government has already begun to take this on board with a range of recent positive developments, including shifting 3000 bureaucrats to the West.

”By any measure, the West is short changed when it comes to funding, infrastructure spending and transport, medical services and hospitals.

”If it isn’t good enough for Western Sydney, it isn’t good enough for NSW and it isn’t good enough for Australia.”

Says Kathy Lipari, News Local’s editor-in-chief: “NewsLocal is delighted to partner with The Daily and Sunday Telegraph on ‘Fair Go for the West’.  We have nine mastheads serving the community in Western Sydney.

“It’s a diverse area, one that is vibrant and proud and it deserves the type of services and infrastructure befitting Australia’s number one city.”

The campaign is also supported by Western Sydney sporting teams including the Western Sydney Wanderers, Western Sydney Giants and Penrith Panthers.

Western Sydney born-and-bred ambassadors will also take part in the campaign, including Test cricket captain Michael Clarke, Penrith Panther Jamal Idris, Western Sydney Wanderer Mark Bridge, Channel 7 newsreader Chris Bath and Nova personality Kate Ritchie.

Says Whittaker: “The support we have received from our ambassadors and partners so far has demonstrated the importance of the campaign.”

As part of the campaign, The Daily Telegraph’s ‘Rock Bus’ will tour the area for two weeks in May, offering communities live entertainment, sausage sizzles and other fun activities. There will be a number of prizes to be won throughout the campaign.

More details of the initiatives planned for the ‘Fair Go for the West’ campaign will be announced in due course.

Says Cameron Clyne, National Australia Bank CEO: “NAB is proud to be supporting The Daily Telegraph and NewsLocal’s ‘Fair Go for the West’ campaign and driving investment and opportunities in Western Sydney.

“Having grown up in Penrith, I’ve seen Western Sydney grow into the centre for jobs and business that it is today. The Fair Go for the West campaign is an opportunity to celebrate all that is great about the region and focus on the opportunities for further investment in new infrastructure, jobs and business.

“NAB sees Western Sydney as an area of immense growth and opportunity. We’re proud to be supporting the people of Western Sydney, whether it is by helping them to buy their first home, start or expand their business and help secure their retirement.”

Tony Stuart, NRMA Group CEO: “Western Sydney is generating so many jobs and so much growth that any improvement in transport infrastructure for the region would deliver far-reaching benefits.

“Western Sydney is part of the NRMA’s DNA – our operations centre is based there and many of our staff and hundreds of thousands of our Members live there.

“Partnering with The Daily Telegraph and NewsLocal to get a fair go for Sydney’s west was a no-brainer for the NRMA and we’re going to keep fighting to help get western Sydney the roads and public transport it needs.”

Says James Packer, Crown Resorts chairman: “Western Sydney is the engine room for this city; providing major growth and employment opportunities for NSW. It’s for these reasons Crown Resorts will base its employment and training programs in Western Sydney and we fully support The Daily Telegraph’s campaign.”

Says Professor Barney Glover, vice-chancellor, University of Western Sydney: “For 25 years, the University of Western Sydney has been committed to engaging with the communities of Greater Western Sydney, providing pathways to higher education and preparing career-ready graduates across a wide range of disciplines and professional fields.

“Through our world-class research concentrations, UWS plays an important role in enhancing the region’s ongoing cultural, economic and environmental development.

“The University is pleased to partner with The Daily Telegraph and NewsLocal in shining a light on the many positive stories of the people in the Greater West – the fastest growing region in Australia and a place which over 2 million people proudly call home.”

Says Katie Page, Harvey Norman CEO: “This isn’t just about recognising and realising all that Western Sydney has to offer for the two million Australians who live here. The economy of Western Sydney is so big its success is vital to Australia’s overall standing. If Australian business invests in Western Sydney then everyone wins.”

Says Paul Jackson, NOVA Entertainment’s group program director: “NOVA 96.9 is proud to support businesses big and small in the West as well as inspire schools and sports groups. We’ll do this through our ongoing partnerships, events, grants and
sponsorships that we’ve created as a part of the ‘Fair go for the West’ campaign. For our great city to function well both now and in to the future the success of our West is critical.”

Says Chris Willis, director of 7 News, Sydney: “Seven News is proud to partner with The Daily Telegraph and NewsLocal on this important and long overdue campaign.

“Almost every day Seven News is in Western Sydney covering stories about transport congestion, the need for improved infrastructure and cost of living pressures.

“This campaign is a chance for us together to make a real difference and to bring about real change in Western Sydney, while recognising the incredible Australians doing great things for the region.”