Data shows Coast to be hit hardest

NEW data shows why cutting JobKeeper will hit the Gold Coast the worst, wiping out almost $35m each fortnight from the economy.

Research released by Federal Rankin MP and Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirms 36,068 Coast workers and 11,720 businesses will have JobKeeper cut on Sunday.

The loss will be $34.8m a fortnight or $17.4m a week from the economy.

The worst impacted area is the electorate of Moncrieff, covering Miami to The Spit and west to Nerang and Worongary, including Surfers Paradise and Southport.

About 11,590 workers and 3766 businesses will be affected, losing $11.2m a fortnight or $5.6m a week in what is the second highest amount of JobKeeper in Queensland.

McPherson is the third highest electorate with 9744 workers and 3166 businesses, amounting to $9.4m a fortnight or $4.7m a week.

The Coast’s most southern federal electorate covers Coolangatta north to Clear Island Waters and Merrimac, and west to Mudgeeraba and Tallebudgera Valley.

The city’s northern electorate of Fadden, which stretches from Labrador to Hope Island and north to Ormeau, has the fourth highest JobKeeper payments in the state.

About 18,968 workers and 2914 businesses are set to lose $8.7m a fortnight or $4.3m a week.

Mr Chalmers told the Bulletin: “Cutting JobKeeper will cut Gold Coast jobs. It’s that simple. For 100,000 workers, the Morrison government’s JobKeeper cuts will be a ticket to unemployment, not recovery.

“The Morrison government is rolling out vaccines too slowly, and pulling JobKeeper support from the Gold Coast economy too quickly. Both of those things will have consequences for Gold Coast jobs.

Environment Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon has issued a final plea to the Prime Minister and the Coast’s federal members to extend JobKeeper.

“In just hours, JobKeeper will end, leaving thousands of local workers fearful of losing their jobs,” she said. “Extend JobKeeper and save thousands of jobs.”