Federal member for Cunningham Sharon Bird and Federal member for Whitlam Stephen Jones visited Southern Youth and Family Services on Friday to call on the Government to make the Illawarra a priority for infrastructure funding in the October 6 Federal Budget.

They said the PM's BlueScope visit contained no direct announcement for funding for desperately needed social housing, local transport infrastructure or the tourist industry as it struggles to recover from COVID.

Read more: Scott Morrison visits Port Kembla steelworks with a $1.9 billion announcement.

The Labor MPs said the Illawarra desperately needs infrastructure and investment to create local jobs just as it did during the GFC when Labor responded with $1 billion of investment.

They said there are presently many reports of hardship from local businesses, charities and homeless shelters but not one visit by the PM or Treasurer has produced any local commitments.

They said during the GFC Labor assistance included $85 million in social housing for the disadvantaged and homeless, a $12 million Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, $197 million in school infrastructure and investing over $140 million at the University of Wollongong and TAFE Illawarra as well as supporting projects such as the Blue Mile, North Beach Bather's Pavillion and Symbio Wildlife Park and almost $70 million for the Maldon-Dombarton Rail Link, Picton Rd and Mount Ousley.

Southern Youth and Family Services chief executive Narelle Clay said stimulus funding provided during the GFC enabled the construction of 20 units for young homeless people on land it it had previously acquired.

"They have been full ever since," she said.

"We built a building that has training with a social enterprise cafe, a social enterprise gym and a cleaning team. It did many things. We were able to help young people and give them jobs and it helped homelessness".

"We want to keep doing that. We have land and we are ready to go with another building. It would cost around $9.5 million to build about another 30 units. So we are really urging funding to come from this budget because it will achieve affordable housing for disadvantaged people, reduce homelessness and employ people. It will have long term benefits and help people to finish their education and training using TAFE and other training providers."

Ms Bird said what the PM did on Thursday was use the steelworks as a backdrop for a photo rather than investing in the region.

"At least this time the Liberal's didn't try and use Jimmy Barnes' song to promote themselves," she said.

Mr Jones said the major priority has to be creating local jobs now while the region is struggling through COVID. "We are encouraging the Government to invest money in ways that create new jobs while fixing long standing problems."

"That includes building homes for thousands of locals who don't have one, fixing the crisis in aged care and boosting apprentice places.

"In the 1980's Bob Hawke put in place a steel industry plan and a regional recovery plan. We need the 2020 version of that.

"The Illawarra has a number of shovel-ready projects. The PM just needs to step up. If you are going to use the Illawarra as a backdrop you have got to make sure the cheque is in the mail.

"There is no shortage of projects whether it is Maldon Dombarton, whether it is fixing our local roads big and small or whether it is investment in social housing like this great project (SYFS) that was funded by Labor during the GFC.

"It is not just about building stuff it is also about investing in people. Aged care is in a crisis. TAFE is in a crisis and we need more money invested in these areas."

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