JobKeeper subsidy reduced

THE Coalition Government’s JobKeeper subsidy has been cut back as expected, despite calls to keep the payments at their previous level.
Announced in March, the payments in response to the coronavirus pandemic were $1,500 per fortnight until September 27, but from Monday this week were reduced to $1,200 and $750 per fortnight, with the lower payment for employees who worked less than 20 hours a week in the month of February before the pandemic.
Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said JobSeeker and JobKeeper were “part of an unprecedented level of economic support being provided by the Morrison Government to support lives and livelihoods at this very challenging time”.
“Recipients of the $1,200 payment may also be eligible for a part JobSeeker payment of $276 per fortnight; and those on the $750 payment may also receive $546 per fortnight including the Coronavirus Supplement, bringing the total taxpayer funded income to $1,476 and $1,295 per fortnight respectively.”
Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said her party’s analysis of Treasury and Australian Tax Office data showed the changes to JobKeeper in her electorate would affect nearly 6,000 businesses and more than 22,000 workers, and remove more than $20 million from Corangamite’s economy each fortnight.
She said JobKeeper had “done a lot of good and protected many businesses in my region” but “we must acknowledge its failings”.
“At the end of the day, the program has been cruelled by Scott Morrison’s botched implementation, poor compliance enforcement, and premature cuts.
“The recession will be deeper, and the unemployment queues will be longer because Scott Morrison is pulling support from the economy too soon.
“Our community really needs and deserves a comprehensive jobs plan to set us up for the recovery and the future.”
Senator Henderson said the part JobSeeker payments and Coronavirus Supplement, when added to JobKeeper, “represented a very significant level of continuing taxpayer support”.
“Labor’s criticism is unfounded and demonstrates that it is only interested in running negative campaigns.
“JobKeeper and JobSeeker remain a crucial part of the Morrison Government’s unprecedented $314 billion investment in the Australian economy.”