Celia Hammond (Curtin, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to start with acknowledging the people from my community of Curtin for the way they have responded to the pandemic. Right from the very first days of the pandemic, we came together in a volunteer network to assist others. I also thank them for their honesty and candour in approaching me about the many and varied issues that people were facing, whether it be waiting times in the early days with Services Australia or whether it be access to other services, they were all very open and brought their issues to light.

In addressing this particular MPI topic today, the starting point is: what is the role of government? The role of government is, ultimately: to ensure the safety and security of the nation and its peoples; to preserve and protect their health and wellbeing; to create the settings for people to have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and to live their best lives; and to ensure that those who can't provide for themselves are supported to live in dignity. So if we ask what issues matter during COVID-19—because it's times like these when we really do expect governments to step up—what have people been concerned about this year?

People have been concerned about their health and the health of their loved ones, people have been concerned about their financial security now and in the future, people have been concerned about the financial security and stability of the country both now and in the future—and this government has been responding to each of those in turn.

I had a very unusual experience right back at the beginning of the pandemic, when everything was shut down in Western Australia. I hopped into a COVID-appropriate queue, waiting to get a coffee. As I was in that queue, a man came up to me and shirtfronted me. This was way back in March. He started pointing at me, saying, 'Your government is doing the exact wrong thing. You are going to have suicides on your hands. You're going to be responsible for people killing themselves. You're going to be responsible for people losing their jobs.' He went on and on for a couple of minutes, until a couple of people within the cafe came to rescue me. I reflected at the time on his point and I thought, 'No, we are doing the right thing. We don't know enough about this virus. We need to take all steps.' We know a lot more about the virus, but we still need to take steps. My point there is that the issues that he was raising about the mental health impact of this virus have to be taken into account, and they are being taken into account by this government in the steps it's taking to address that.

I have to commend both the Treasurer and the Prime Minister, and the health minister, for always being aware that, in addressing this COVID-19 pandemic, we've got to look at it on multiple fronts and we've got to look at it both in the here and now and in the future. We have to look at the economics of it right here and now—supporting people, encouraging job growth, encouraging businesses to spend money, helping people who have lost their jobs—but we also have to think about the future economy. We need to make sure that we actually have a viable economy for our younger people, for my children—and their children, for heaven's sake, if they ever have any—to grow up in. So we need to be taking actions and making decisions for the here and now and for the future. Likewise, yes, we have to do that in health, and we've invested enormously in addressing the health concerns here and now. The number of listings on the MBS has been increased exponentially. The amount of money put into telehealth and various other services has all been for the here and now. But we are also investing in health for the longer term—in health research and, importantly, in mental health initiatives.

I know that previous speakers in this debate have taken the time to criticise and judge comments made by the Treasurer and actions taken by the Prime Minister. Earlier, when the Treasurer and I were talking about the mental health impacts of coronavirus, he shared with me a text message that he received yesterday, and it says this: 'Well said today, Josh—total "bloody-mindedness". No other way of putting it. We have friends whose kids are self-harming, and one friend's husband committed suicide last week due to losing his job. This is what is happening to us as a community. Please keep fighting for every Victorian.'

There is no manual for addressing a pandemic. As I said, our government has been doing what it was required to do: balance competing factors and think about both the here and now and the long term for everybody. That's what governments as stewards of the country must do for the people.

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