JOBKEEPER PAYMENT AND THE CORONAVIRUS SUPPLEMENT EXTENDED FOR BUSINESSES AND HOUSEHOLDS

The JobKeeper program and the Coronavirus Supplement have been under the next phase of the Federal Government’s support for affected businesses and households.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said this unprecedented economic support for local businesses and their workers is helping local communities in Barker through the COVID-19 pandemic and bolstering our economic recovery.

An estimated 3,700 organisations and their employees in Barker have benefited from the Federal Government’s JobKeeper program.

“JobKeeper has been a huge benefit to the Barker economy, without which the unemployment rate through the peak of the covid crisis would have been a lot higher.

“There are many local businesses, thankfully, seeing an improvement in their turnovers now that restrictions are easing. For those that aren’t, our Government will continue to support them and their employees,” Mr Pasin said.

Under the Morrison Government’s next phase of support, the JobKeeper Payment will continue at its current level until 27 September, after which it will be extended for a further six months to 28 March 2021.

A two-tiered payment will also be introduced so as to better reflect the pre-COVID-19 income of payment recipients.

Specifically, from 28 September until 3 January next year, the two payments will be $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 pre-COVID-19.

From 4 January to 28 March next year, the two payments will be $1,000 and $650.

The temporary Coronavirus Supplement for those on income support will also be extended until 31 December 2020. The $550 per fortnight Supplement will continue until 24 September.

From 25 September until 31 December, the Supplement will be $250 per fortnight, reducing by the same amount as the JobKeeper payment.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the extension of support recognises that Australia’s economic recovery is still in its early stages and a number of local businesses and individuals remain significantly affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Morrison Government’s focus remains on reopening the economy where it is safe to do so, but the extension of these measures recognises that some parts of the economy will continue to be affected and need continued support,” the Treasurer said.

“Sadly, as a result of this global health pandemic, businesses will close and people will lose their jobs, but that is why we have extended the Coronavirus Supplement and announced a new skills package to help people transition from welfare to work,” the Treasurer said.

For more information: treasury.gov.au/coronavirus.

Media contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466