Victoria outlines $250 million business package as federal government rejects calls for new JobKeeper for workers
The federal government has rejected calls for a new JobKeeper wage subsidy program to help Victorian workers and businesses in lockdown for the next week at least.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it is appropriate that the Victorian government take primary responsibility for supporting businesses affected by the latest seven-day lockdown.
A $250 million business support package was announced on Sunday by the Victorian government to help 90,000 companies during the seven-day lockdown.
Mr Morrison said the federal government has already provided $45 billion in support to Victoria.
“And we will continue to support Victoria through the pandemic leave payment, through the emergency cash assistance, through the social security system.”
He said it is appropriate that state governments bear the lion’s share of responsibility in supporting workers and businesses through the lockdown.
“I note that the Queensland Government and the Western Australian Governments, when they were in similar circumstances, took on those responsibilities, having decided to go into those lockdowns, and they took on those responsibilities, and I commend them for that.”
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the current federal government measures in place are sufficient.
“We have four ongoing measures, which are supporting Victorians. One is the pandemic leave disaster payment of $1500. Two: is the national health emergency crisis payment.
“Three of course, there is the ongoing business support of the loss carryback program, for any business which may make a loss during the course of this financial year, where they can receive a rebate against profits from previous years.
“Then of course there are the immediate expensing measures.”
He said the Commonwealth funds directed to support Victoria so far is “far and away the highest per capita economic support to any state and territory”.
Victoria disappointed with federal government’s response
The Victorian government’s $250 million business support package includes $190 million in $2500 grants for businesses, $40.7 million in $3500 grants for liquor licence and food certificate holders and $20 million for event operators.
It expects 90,000 small to medium-sized businesses and sole traders to be eligible for the payments.
In outlining the support plan, Treasurer Tim Pallas said he was disappointed that requests for contributions from the federal government were refused.
“The Commonwealth’s view is that if these are short-term circuit breakers, then the states should pay for them,” Mr Pallas said.
“Well, we are paying. We are paying very substantially, and I don’t think working people should be paying.”
Mr Pallas said the new package is bigger and broader than that provided during the state’s snap lockdown in February.
“It’s the single biggest package on a pro-rata basis that this state or any state has provided,” he told reporters on Sunday.
Treasury estimates Victoria’s seven-day lockdown will punch a $700 million hole in the economy, but Mr Pallas would not be drawn on possibly extending the package if it drags out past Thursday.
“It is hurting businesses. It is hurting the workforce,” he said.
“We understand that we have an obligation to assist and support them. That is exactly what we are doing.”
Workers urged to check eligibility for Centrelink payments
Industry groups welcomed the package after publicly lobbying the state government for immediate support, although some fear it might not be enough.
“Compared with the cost to business from the lockdown the relatively small amount of support offered will be quickly swallowed up if the lockdown continues beyond a week,” Australian Industry Group Group Victorian head Tim Piper said.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra added the federal government needed to urgently follow suit with a JobKeeper-like wage subsidy.
“When Australians needed support in 2020, both state and federal governments were there. Now is not the time for the feds to abandon Victorians,” he said.
Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said casual workers without work – and who did not have COVID-19 and is not a close contact and therefore cannot claim the paid pandemic leave – “could go to Centrelink”.
“And if you’re eligible, you’ve lost a complete week’s work or two weeks work, then you might be eligible for these emergency health payments,” he told ABC’s Insiders.
“For those people who find themselves in circumstances where they have completely lost their income. Then they should go to Centrelink and see whether their eligible for payments.”
Additional reporting: AAP
