Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A report by the Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre named Pulse of South West Sydney CALD communities: amplifying voices during COVID-19 was released at the beginning of this month. The report describes the long-term impact of the Sydney lockdown and what it will mean to my community. Speaking with local community members across diverse backgrounds, the MRC found the biggest issues in the community are distrust of institutions, the impact of mental health issues and the effectiveness of public health campaigns in Western Sydney. The report also highlights real concerns about how quickly job prospects will reappear. It is a snapshot of a community lockdown in an LGA of concern and the stigma that was associated with all of that. It calls out the messages of blame and provide suggestions for change. Right now, families and businesses are hurting. Without support, anxiety will only increase. I thank the Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre for shining a light on systemic issues that are well known in our community. Further acknowledgement of the issues is needed to fundamentally change and support our community. I call on governments to provide immediate support for our struggling people as we come out of lockdown. Unless we improve support now, the income and social divide will only strengthen. The Pulse of South West Sydney CALD communities: amplifying voices during COVID-19 report adds to the mounting evidence that my community need support and they need it now and, moreover, they deserve it.