JobKeeper legislation passes Parliament

INDUSTRY groups have hailed the passage of the federal government’s JobKeeper legislation, but unions say the $130 billion package should be extended to cover all Australian workers.
Announced late last month, all employees working for eligible companies (those with revenue falls of more than 30 per cent or 50 per cent for businesses with turnovers of more than $1 billion) will qualify.
The subsidy of $1,500 per worker will be paid through the tax system for the next six months.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer Paul Guerra said the chamber applauded the bipartisan efforts of federal Parliament to get the legislation through with such haste.
“Much-needed payments will now start flowing through to Victorian workers, keeping them engaged to their employer and connected to their jobs during this crisis.
“JobKeeper won’t save every business and every job at risk during this crisis, but the scale of stimulus measures in place will give businesses a lifeline to help them make it through to the other side.”
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell similarly welcomed the legislation coming into effect.
“There has been a lot of confusion out there about eligibility for JobKeeper, but the intent of this policy is to be inclusive of small and micro-businesses under financial strain in this difficult time. That includes sole traders, partnerships, contractors, freelancers and trusts.
“My message to small businesses is – if you think you might be eligible, visit the ATO website and express your interest.
“Importantly, small businesses that have signed up for JobKeeper will need to make the payments now before they are reimbursed by the ATO in May.”
ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the union movement should be credited for the concept of JobKeeper.
“The scale of this union-won package is unprecedented. The JobKeeper wage subsidy, along with the JobSeeker payment, will transform lives and bring many workers and their families back from the brink of economic ruin.
“If the union movement had not won this fight, workers would be receiving the old Newstart allowance of $40 per day. Now they will get up to double that on JobSeeker as well as no less than $150 per day if they are on JobKeeper.”
She said the existing legislation excluded millions of workers from JobKeeper but also gave Treasurer Josh Frydenberg the power to extend the subsidy to cover more people.
“If the Prime Minister truly believes that every job is an essential job, then every job is worth saving and every worker needs JobKeeper. And we will be making sure Treasurer Frydenberg understands that point.”