Plenty of Reasons To Be Positive

By Dave Sharma, MP for Wentworth on January 5, 2021 in Other

Dave and the fam at Bronte. Photo: Robert Bruns

2021 has been a tough year, especially for small businesses, school students and those with family in aged care facilities or with family and loved ones beyond their reach overseas, not to mention our healthcare and frontline workers. I expect that many of us are looking forward to a restful break as we approach Christmas and the New Year.
As we look towards 2022, there is reason for optimism. Our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is well underway. Life is returning to normal, with public health restrictions easing, businesses trading again, major events taking place – such as the cricket and musicals – and the warmth of family gatherings possible. Regional and international travel is also resuming.
The successful rollout of vaccines in Australia and the very high rates of vaccination have made all this possible. In New South Wales, 92 per cent of our over-16 population is now fully vaccinated, and 95 per cent have received a first dose. Across Australia, more than 88 per cent of the over-16 population is fully vaccinated, and 93 per cent have received their first dose. Booster shots are now being rolled out. All this means that Australia is on target to achieve one of the highest vaccination rates of any nation in the world, which will give us a greater level of protection against future outbreaks and variants.
The economic support measures we put in place to support businesses and households during the pandemic have primed the economy for a swift recovery. We are one of only a handful of economies around the world that has been able to emerge largely intact. Our economy grew by 3.9 per cent over the past year, and there are more people employed now than there were prior to the pandemic. Job advertisements are 30 per cent higher than pre-pandemic, and business and consumer confidence are higher.
High vaccination rates and a strong public health system are allowing us to open our borders and resume international travel. Fully vaccinated Australians are now able to travel overseas and return without quarantine. From December 15, students, working holidaymakers, skilled migrants, family visa-holders, plus tourists from Japan, Korea and Singapore who are fully vaccinated, will be able to enter Australia. This will help our tourist and travel sector back to its feet, support our local universities and alleviate those workforce shortages that have emerged as major challenges for so many industries.
If it’s been a challenging year, we can take pride in how well the nation has emerged from the pandemic. We are in better shape than practically any nation in the world, so we can look forward with a reassuring optimism for the year ahead.
That is not to suggest that there aren’t those among us this Christmas who will struggle with uncertainty and anxiety in the weeks and months ahead. For instance, the incidence of domestic violence has markedly increased, with more women needing support to leave violent and abusive relationships.
This year I am running a Christmas appeal to support three invaluable local organisations, Lou’s Place, the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre and the Run for Good Project, who do much vital work in this area. My office in Edgecliff will be taking donations of essential goods for these organisations to supply women and children who are in need. If you are able to contribute, the shelters are in need of shampoo and conditioner, body wash, sanitary items, women’s undergarments and socks. Please drop them to my office at Level 3, 179-191 New South Head Road and we will arrange delivery. If you are a business that is able to make a sizeable contribution, then we can arrange collection.
My best wishes to you and your family for a merry Christmas, a peaceful New Year and a restful holiday period.