Jeff Kennett: How lockdown is raising the burden on women

Less than halfway through Victoria’s second lockdown, women are increasingly accessing mental health and financial counselling while crisis calls are spiking. With no certainty as to when or how we will emerge from restrictions, it’s time for Dan Andrews to offer messages of hope, not despair, writes Jeff Kennett.

As you read this, we are less than halfway through stage four of Victoria’s second and longest lockdown.

We are living our own versions of Groundhog Day, the reality of which will only worsen when JobKeeper is removed from many businesses and reduced for those who will still qualify. JobSeeker will also reduce in quantum.

Regardless of the number of new cases of Victorians contracting COVID-19 that will be reported before September 13 when stage four restrictions are scheduled to be lifted, we still have no certainty for as to how we will come out of this closure. One thing is certain, we must start easing restrictions from September 14.

The relationship between families and business is as close as our noses are connected to our faces. Without businesses opening and growing, there is no employment for many Victorians. Without employment, there is no income for families to provide and meet their financial obligations.

The people most affected by the recent COVID-19 disruptions and business closures are not those on benefits or the wealthy. They are middle-income Victorians.

These are the group I refer to as “aspirational”. Those who work hard to provide for themselves and their families. Those who run risks, and borrow money based on the certainty of employment and income, to buy their first home for the families they wish to create. They make decisions about their children’s education.

Single mothers not only have to manage all the challenges and uncertainties of the time, they must do it alone.

My aspirationals are being squeezed as never before. Their stress levels are rising at the same rate as the challenges. They have no certainty of when and how Victoria will come out of this lockdown. Sadly, for many their old jobs will simply not exist.

The Victorian government is not providing leadership on this issue and certainly not enough guidance to reassure most Victorians. The uncertainty is taking an enormous toll.

During talks I’ve had with women, young and mature, over recent weeks, they have talked about the stresses and pressures of the current restrictions. Given women are often the point of stability in the home, this rising tension is particularly concerning.

Women are increasingly accessing mental health and financial counselling services. Crisis support services across Victoria are reporting a significant spike in requests from women for food supplies, and assistance to pay utility bills or medicine — the very basics to provide for their families.

Of greater concern, there are reportedly increasing incidents of family violence. And there is evidence women are not applying for the few senior jobs available, because of the increased demands made on them at home. Many women are working remotely, while looking after children around the clock, homeschooling and caring for elderly relations, not knowing how long these increased demands will last.

Clearly having a male partner at home full time, working remotely, stood down or having lost their job, takes a great deal of adjustment and can result in new pressures.

Older women are worried too, about their financial security, their health and the vulnerability of their friends in aged care. They worry about the increasing employment and financial pressures facing their children.

Before COVID-19, a big number of women over 60 volunteered at local organisations and cared for grandchildren. They now feel disempowered and unable to help and they worry about how their children will cope. They miss seeing their grandchildren.

Then you have the big number of women who head single-parent families. Single mothers not only have to manage all the challenges and uncertainties of the time, they must do it alone.

We still have no certainty for as to how we will come out of this closure. Picture: Getty Images

No one to talk to at night when after a full day they put the children to bed. No adult to share the load of the morning or homeschooling. Single mums are clearly part of my aspirational community. However, these restrictions just make their life even tougher.

While both genders are meeting the government’s edicts, I believe women are paying a bigger price and are being asked to do more.

We all need hope. The important issue is to limit the damage to the community so we can emerge as strongly as possible.

Language is vitally important. Which is why I shook my head when Daniel Andrews said on Saturday he did not know whether we will be able to gather with loved ones to celebrate the traditional end-of-year festivities.

This is the wrong message for a leader to give to a community that has done everything asked of it, at great loss and expense. It was a signal our leader has no idea how he is going to manage the next four months.

The Victorian government has plenty of time to give us certainty and to allow us to plan and prepare.

The women of Victoria — the grandmothers, the daughters, the granddaughters — are increasingly tired, frustrated, and stressed. Yet they are doing all that is asked of them to protect their loved ones.

Mr Premier, you do not have a police force big enough, even with the support of the Australian armed forces, to take on the women of Victoria, who will exercise their right to celebrate Christmas with those they love.

Give them hope, not messages of despair.

Have a healthy, happy day.

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Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria