CHA BACKS TREASURER PERROTTET’S CALL FOR RETURN OF JOBKEEPER

The peak advocacy body for Catholic health and aged care providers in Australia has backed NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s call for the reinstatement of Jobkeeper saying economic stability is key to preserving the community’s long-term health.
Catholic Health Australia says those Sydney workers who Treasurer Perrottet says are “falling through the cracks” should be supported through this period.
With few signs of the pandemic abating, Sydney’s workforce is under immense pressure and is taking its toll.
CHA CEO Pat Garcia said: “People in Sydney are stressed, and none more so than those who lack the dignity of work due to this difficult but necessary lockdown.”
“Right now, we know thousands of people in New South Wales – especially in South-Western Sydney – are feeling uncertain about how they will pay the bills.”
“JobKeeper will keep workers and their families secure and provide stressed business owners with confidence they can reopen in the future.”
Mr Garcia added that government must recognise the longer-term negative impacts on the community’s health because of economic instability.
“As a society, we know that poverty, food security and a loss of housing can very quickly follow a loss of income. The long-term impacts on our society could be alleviated by the reinstatement of a short-term measure such as JobKeeper. It is the right thing to do and that is why we commend the NSW Treasurer for his stance.”
Note to editors: Catholic Health Australia (CHA) is Australia’s largest non-government grouping of health and aged care services accounting for approximately 10 percent of hospital-based healthcare in Australia. Our members also provide around 25 percent of private hospital care, 5 percent of public hospital care, 12 percent of aged care facilities, and 20 percent of home care and support for the elderly