Sectors hit particularly hard by the coronavirus crisis could receive additional financial support beyond the JobKeeper deadline, Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer says.
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It comes as national cabinet prepares to meet today, with speculation that an extension of the wage subsidy program could be on the agenda.
Ms Archer said JobKeeper - which allows struggling businesses to keep paying their workers through a fortnightly $1500 payment per eligible employee - was achieving what it was designed to achieve, and that was to support a wide range of businesses and industries devastated by the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged tourism and hospitality businesses, with border closures and lockdowns taking a sledgehammer to their bottom lines.
"From my discussions with the business community, JobKeeper will still be very much needed over the coming months as, even with restrictions lifted, under a best case scenario many businesses will not be operating at full capacity until the spring or much later," she said.
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"I am in agreement with the Premier and the federal Treasurer that there is a strong possibility that some sectors will require ongoing and additional support through the recovery phase."
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, has signalled that further financial assistance could be considered for the industries most under the pump, but, along with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, has dismissed calls for JobKeeper to be extended overall.
Last week, the federal government admitted to an embarrassing mistake: the JobKeeper program had run a massive $60 billion under budget.
The blunder prompted a flurry of calls from opposition parties, unions and interest groups to use the money to broaden the eligibility criteria for the payment. It has been suggested that JobKeeper should encompass greater swathes of the workforce, including temporary visa-holders, local council employees and more casual workers.
I am in agreement with the Premier and the federal Treasurer that there is a strong possibility that some sectors will require ongoing and additional support through the recovery phase.
- Bridget Archer, Bass Liberal MHR
Just one day after the JobKeeper accounting bungle came to light, Premier Peter Gutwein urged his Liberal colleagues in Canberra to extend the subsidy beyond its September 27 deadline, pointing out that the tourism and hospitality sectors would need additional support because they were likely to take longer to recover.
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe told a Senate committee on Thursday that JobKeeper may need to be extended beyond September if the economy hasn't sufficiently recovered by then.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, has signalled that further financial assistance could be considered for the industries most under the pump, but, along with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, has dismissed calls for JobKeeper to be extended overall.
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Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
