In this position statement, the National Rural Health Alliance acknowledges government response to date to the COVID-19 pandemic, but urges all governments to continue to support all community members, to ensure that the adverse mental and physical health effects of economic uncertainty and poverty are avoided until the economy recovers, as well as into the future.

Key points:

1. the rate of the JobSeeker Payment to remain the same until the economy and job market recover;
2. action to address critical shortages of health workers in rural and regional areas;
3. ongoing support for rural health care providers including by maintaining JobKeeper payments; and
4. increased economic stimulus for rural and regional communities.