Plea to save JobKeeper

themercury.com.au

JOBKEEPER is propping up the wages of more than 55,000 Tasmanians, new analysis shows, as the government finalises changes to the $1500-afortnight subsidy.

It comes amid fears Victoria’s worsening COVID-19 outbreak could spread to other states, forcing them to reintroduce tougher restrictions that

SUBSCRIPTIONS 1300 696 397 would be a second blow to the economy and jobs.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is calling on the federal government to reveal its decision on extending JobKeeper, rather than waiting to announce it in a budget update in two weeks.

A new analysis of JobKeeper by federal Labor shows about 56,700 Tasmanians are receiving the $1500-a-fortnight wage subsidy.

That’s based on Treasury data which shows about 14,900 businesses across the state are using the payment, and the average business has 3.8 employees receiving JobKeeper.

About 3.3 million workers nationwide are currently supported by the subsidy.

It’s estimated the payment is pumping $85.1 million a fortnight into the Tasmanian economy, based on the number of workers likely receiving the subsidy. Mr Albanese said with the nation in recession, the federal government “must not make things even worse” by withdrawing support too soon.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have indicated there will be an extension to JobKeeper for businesses that still need the subsidy, but any changes will be announced on July 23.

It’s estimated about 24,900 workers in Hobart are on JobKeeper, along with 14,820 workers in Launceston and the northeast.

Labor Franklin MP Julie Collins said cancelling JobKeeper too early would be “devastating” for southern Tasmania.

“When I walk around Hobart and talk to small business owners and workers, people tell me that JobKeeper is helping their businesses survive and keeping people in work,’’ she said.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has rejected union calls to extend the JobKeeper wage subsidy for a further six months. “JobKeeper and the enhanced JobSeeker arrangements in their current form are coming to an end at the end of September,” he told Sky News.

“On the basis of assessed need there will be continued support moving forward.”