I have seen the photos on the big parade of Holden cars that occurred at the farewell to Holden. I know what I think won’t make any difference now, but I am very angry with successive governments on both sides of politics and others like The Greens who have, I believe, knowingly allowed our car industry to crumble.

They took the decision that supporting our local car industry was too costly and they had to save money. The unions have also been blamed and they certainly didn’t help matters.

I would classify this as short-term gain for long-term loss. Whilst the politicians all paraded themselves as the champions of employment, 15,000 jobs were lost directly from our terminated car industry.

The flow-on loss in employment in the support industries is estimated at around 250,000 jobs. This is how our politicians support the employment of our working people and the consequent loss of specially skilled people in this field.

They seem to forget that unemployed people cannot pay taxes and this means that the rest of the employed have to pay more taxes to help pay for the massive increase of those who will, through no fault of their own, need unemployment benefits.

What about the export income lost and the sales taxes lost from this industry? What about the decimation of our country’s machine tool capacity, which was used in times of conflict in the past to manufacture items for defence?

Why is it acceptable that we Australians are forced to succumb to this? Is that a healthy outcome for us all? With a few exceptions, industry has been dumbed down and lost right across Australia.

Do I have to again sit and listen to a repeat of Jeremy Clarkson on BBC’s Top Gear program laughing at Australia and asking “What do they produce over there?”

“Oh,” he said, “they do have the Hill’s Hoist!” Sorry Jeremy, as I hear it, we haven’t got that now either.

The Local Sport Grant Program has extended its application deadline to 5pm on Friday, October 20. Sporting clubs in Wagga Wagga may be eligible for grants for initiatives such as new programs, community events, facility upgrades or projects that improve participation in sport.

This year the NSW government is encouraging clubs to invest in programs that help support girls and young women to address to a drop off in participation amongst teenage girls.

Boosting women’s sport is just one element of the Local Sports Grant Program, which aims to help people of all ages and abilities get involved in their local club or become more active.

The NSW government has allocated $50,000 for projects within Wagga Wagga electorate and incorporated, not-for-profit sport clubs are eligible to apply.

You can apply for grants in the following categories: Sport club development; community sport events; sport access (sporting equipment and uniforms); and facility development. Please advise my office if you plan to make an application so we can assist you with the process.