IT’S DEFINING, NOW REFINE

ONE of the defining moments of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s handling of the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic so far has been the creation of JobKeeper.

Despite initial miscalculations around its overall estimated cost to the nation’s books – first thought to be $130 billion but scaled back to $60b – there is no doubt it has been among the saviours of the country.

It has been particularly keenly felt on the Gold Coast, the country’s tourism capital and arguably small business capital.

The $1500-a-fortnight payments are being paid out to employers to pass to staff. The handouts have enabled firms to keep teams connected to their companies so they can re-emerge intact and able to function out the other side of the pandemic and supposed “hibernation” period.

On the Gold Coast, anecdotal examples abound about how crucial it has been. Popular Broadbeach restaurant Moo Moo kept paying its entire 44 staff across its two venues on the knowledge the payments would kick in come early May. That business has now reopened and has its team on deck. At the larger end of the scale, Village Roadshow chief executive Clark Kirby – who had the unenviable task of standing down 5000 theme park staff – said when the policy was unveiled, it was the first time he would have a good night sleep.

It has been a costly but inspired – if blunt – stimulus measure. The challenge now is to surely continue it come September when it is set to expire. It clearly needs to run longer – but must be refined.

The policy needs more nuance than its blunt setting where any staff – no matter what hours they were doing, and what rate they were on – get the $1500. The Morrison Government needs to bring in a screening measure but not do away with it altogether. It’s too soon for that.