NSW Labor Leader Visits Campbelltown to Discuss Impacts of COVID-19

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns MP visited Campbelltown yesterday to find out

the impact COVID-19 had had on small businesses, sporting groups and charities

in the community.

Shadow Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Campbelltown, Greg

Warren MP, first took Mr Minns to Seta’s café in Campbelltown to discuss the

impacts on small business.

Macarthur MP Dr Mike Freelander also joined Mr Minns and Mr Warren.

The next stop was Campbelltown Showground, where Mr Minns and Mr Warren

met with Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Club president, Col Packer, to discuss

how the cancellation of community sport had impacted clubs like the Harlequins.

The Lomandra Community Pantry – one of the many organisations who have

really stepped up to help out locals in need during the pandemic – was the next

stop over.

The visit was concluded by a visit Clentons Transport in Smeaton Grange where

Mr Minns and Mr Warren discussed the impacts of the new toll on the old M5 East

had had on the transport industry.

“I’m very concerned today that the government has announced or is contemplating

switching off financial support for businesses like Seta’s, when we hit 80 per cent

vaccination rates,” Mr Minns said.

“The NSW Opposition is calling on the government today to reverse course in

relation to that, to give some business certainty, particularly for Western and South

Western Sydney, who've been hit particularly hard.

“If you look at Seta and businesses that we're seeing right throughout

Campbelltown, they closed their doors, they listened to the government health

advice, they followed the rules in order to keep us safe and we've gotten through

this largely intact because of their selfless actions.

“Now it's time for the NSW Government to step up and have their back when we

go through this challenging economic periods through October and November.”

Mr Warren added: “Campbelltown – like the rest of South Western and Western

Sydney – has felt the impacts of COVID-19 greater than any other area throughout

our state.”

“We have certainly done our bit to help curb the spread of COVID-19 despite the

lack of support and resources afforded to us by the NSW Government.

“I have been immensely proud of how our community has dealt with the numerous

setbacks we have faced.”