Today I speak on an issue that is both deeply personal and undeniably public: the growing epidemic of loneliness in our communities. As the New South Wales Standing Committee on Social Issues found in its recent inquiry, chronic loneliness is not confined to one age group, postcode or walk of life. It touches young people, older Australians, carers, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and many others who simply feel cut off from connection, support and belonging. The committee's report paints a sobering picture, and I have seen it in Liverpool firsthand. We are one of the most diverse and vibrant communities in New South Wales, but we are not immune. Young people are feeling disconnected in a digital world, older residents are living alone without regular contact, and parents are juggling work and caregiving in isolation. Loneliness is a growing concern in our local area, and it is one we must confront together.
The inquiry's findings were stark. Persistent loneliness has been linked to serious health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and early mortality. And the cost is not only personal, but also economic. Loneliness places enormous pressure on our healthcare system, costing billions annually nationwide. Social connection is not a luxury; it is a foundation for good health, strong communities and opportunity. But while the problem is significant, so too is our opportunity to respond, and I am proud to say that this Government is already taking meaningful steps.
One of the most powerful tools in combating loneliness is access to safe, inclusive and purpose‑built spaces for connection. That is why I strongly support the committee's recommendation for dedicated youth hubs. I welcome the New South Wales Government's $14 million investment in youth hubs under the Our Region, Our Voice strategy. The hubs are more than buildings; they are places where young people can connect, find services, build skills and simply feel seen. In Liverpool, where one‑third of the population is under 25, a local youth hub could be transformative. I will continue to advocate for Liverpool to be considered in future rounds of investment, given our community's clear need. In aged care and senior support, the Government is also investing in programs that build connection. Programs like these, which target not only young people but seniors and others, are particularly valuable in multicultural communities like Liverpool, where language and culture can compound isolation.
In health, I commend the expansion of social prescribing trials that allow GPs and health professionals to refer patients to community groups, exercise classes, arts programs or volunteering instead of or alongside traditional medical treatment. Those trials recognise what many of us have long known: that community and connection can be as therapeutic as any medication. We have also seen the integration of connection‑focused policies in planning and local government spaces. The Government's Public Spaces Legacy Program helps councils to deliver high-quality, accessible green spaces and community infrastructure. In a few weeks I will open one of the spaces that has benefited from the program in Cecil Hills. These are not just beautification projects; they are essential to building places where people feel safe to gather, interact and participate in civic life.
Most significantly, the Government is considering the committee's recommendation to develop a whole‑of‑government strategy on loneliness, a comprehensive cross-agency response that places social connection at the heart of decision-making across housing, health, education and transport. In Liverpool we know that strong community ties are vital not only for wellbeing but also for resilience, safety and opportunity. We know that social connection does not happen by accident. It needs to be nurtured through investment, design, leadership and care. I acknowledge the many local organisations that already do that important work in Liverpool, from multicultural associations and neighbourhood centres to disability advocates, men's sheds, interfaith groups and countless others.
The Government must continue to support and partner with those groups because they are the backbone of local connection. That was most obvious recently with the Community Building Partnership grants that were awarded to some of those organisations. Loneliness is not just a private feeling but a public challenge, and it is a challenge we can address with compassion, coordination and courage. I commend the standing committee in the other place for its important work and the Government for its early steps. As the member for Liverpool, I commit to continue this conversation and ensure that our response to loneliness is not just seen in reports but felt in our streets, parks, libraries and homes.
