SHADOW treasurer Jim Chalmers has criticised the Federal Government\u2019s decision to end COVID-19 support payments when states and territories reach their vaccination targets.<\/p>\n
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced last Wednesday the COVID-19 disaster payment will be phased out over two weeks after a state or territory has 80 per cent of its over 16 population fully vaccinated.<\/p>\n
A flat payment of $450 available for those who lose more than eight hours of work, and those on income support receive $100 in the first week after the target is reached, and in the second week the payment will drop to $450 and end for people on income support.<\/p>\n
After the second week, the disaster payment will end.<\/p>\n
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, for workers who must self-isolate or quarantine will remain until 30 June next year.<\/p>\n
Mr Chalmers said the decision will \u201cpull the rug out\u201d from beneath small businesses in regional communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust because we hit a vaccination target doesn\u2019t mean all of a sudden all the small businesses and workers in local communities are fine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve said all along the economic support needs to match the economic conditions and we fear the government doesn\u2019t understand that.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the Federal Government, about two million Australians have been supported by over $9 billion in payments since it was announced in June.<\/p>\n
Mr Chalmers said he has been in talks with Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, about how local businesses are recovering from COVID-19 restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if we hit these vaccination targets, some businesses will still be doing it tough,\u201d Mr Chalmers said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it be restrictions made necessary by the Federal Government\u2019s failures or other reasons, it will take a while for businesses to get back on their feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody knows when the economy will be back up and running at full capacity again, so we need to maintain that flexibility.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SHADOW treasurer Jim Chalmers has criticised the Federal Government\u2019s decision to end COVID-19 support payments when states and territories reach their vaccination targets. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced last Wednesday the COVID-19 disaster payment will be phased out over two weeks after a state or territory has 80 per cent of its over 16 population fully […]<\/p>\n