Wednesday, 9 February 2022

COVID-19

Ms VALLENCE (Evelyn) (09:49): Young people have been significantly and disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s latest research brief, ‘The indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents’, reports in no uncertain terms that children and teenagers face significant long-lasting mental health difficulties and physical health problems that increased as a result of two years of lockdowns in Victoria.

This independent report demonstrates a complete policy failure by the Premier and his Labor government for pursuing the longest lockdown in the world, harsh restrictions on community activities and sport, school closures and disrupted education and business restrictions that have decimated jobs in retail, hospitality and tourism where young people typically work. The report is also scathing about poor access to health and emergency care leading to adverse outcomes for young Victorians, bans on vital surgeries and a broken mental health system—all on the watch of the Premier and the Andrews Labor government.

Hundreds and hundreds of young people in my community, their parents and grandparents have contacted me over the past two years desperate for help and better outcomes. It is why the Victorian Liberal policy is to commit to no more lockdowns, no more disrupted education and a plan to recover and rebuild our health system and our economy. I want to take this opportunity to thank a variety of organisations for helping young people: Bridge Builders Youth Organisation, Yarra Ranges youth team, Inspiro and Lilydale Youth Hub.