Our government’s first duty is to protect the lives and livelihoods of Australians.
We are facing a war on two fronts – a health crisis and an economic crisis. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.
This afternoon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced an unprecedented wage subsidy scheme – the $130 billion JobKeeper Package.
Effective today, all employees working for eligible companies impacted by the Coronavirus (i.e. with revenue falls of more than 30 per cent or 50 per cent for large companies) will receive a $1500 a fortnight wage subsidy for six months. This extends to not just full-time and part-time workers but sole traders and casuals who’ve been with their employer for 12 months or more.
This is a flat wage subsidy and does not discriminate. The JobKeeker payment extends to all employees who were on the books as at 1 March 2020 and gives Australians the best chance of keeping their jobs.
Our Government stands with all Australians every step of the way. Along with the $105 billion injected into our financial system, the Morrison Government has now delivered a total of $320 billion of financial support or 16.4 per cent of GDP.
The JobKeeper payment will help to keep thousands of businesses across regional Victoria afloat at this most difficult time. This is all about keeping businesses going.
Together, we can get through this and out the other side, a stronger nation.
For full media release see https://www.pm.gov.au/media/130-billion-jobkeeper-payment-keep-australians-job