Good news: JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments are set to be extended beyond the initial September cut-off (thank GOD). Bad news: there will be some new rules and restrictions.
An announcement on the Keeper and Seeker programs is expected to be made by our dynamic press conference duo Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Canberra on Thursday.
But we already have an idea of what to expect.
Here’s What We Know Is Going To Change
Both programs a looking at reduced rates and stricter eligibility criteria to ensure support goes to those who the really need help. You know, like the defence investment of $270B – those type of people and industries which really need help.
For now, both payments will continue at their current rates until the 27 September deadline. Initially it was believed the extension would last until Christmas, however it now looks like the subsidies will be available until he end of March 2021.
JobKeeper will be changed to a two-tiered payment system. Still, it looks like it’ll be reduced from around $1,500 a fortnight, with rumours suggesting a figure still above $1,000 a fortnight for companies that qualify (likely $1,200).
Given the scale & size of the #COVID19 economic shock, the #JobKeeper program will be extended. #JobKeeper has been enormously successful in keeping people in jobs & businesses in business.
My OpEd in @FinancialReview👇 https://t.co/UWWrLSrm5N
— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) July 20, 2020
JobKeeper to be extended at a lower rate of $1200 a fortnight for six months. @australian https://t.co/97esfVngCF
— Ewin Hannan (@EwinHannan) July 20, 2020
Casual workers won’t be eligible for a flat-rate payment, whether they work full-time or part-time. Instead they will get a part-time rate of the JobKeeper subsidy. So will part-time workers.
It’s unclear what will happen to the JobSeeker payments, which were doubled at the start of the lockdown period to around $1,100 a fortnight. But you can bet your bottom dollar (if you have any dollars, that is) that it’ll take a decent hit.
Since the changes, many recipients have felt the relief of a welfare boost. Before the COVID boost was introduced, those receiving JobSeeker only had $40 to spend per day which, tbh, is barely enough for anyone to live off at all, let alone to live well.
If the Liberals were the economic managers they claim to be, they wouldn’t be halving the rate of JobSeeker in September.
You can’t help the economic recovery if you’re in poverty.
You won’t go shopping if you don’t have a roof over your head.
We need to retain the rate.
— Adam Bandt (@AdamBandt) July 16, 2020
And while it seems unlikely to fall back to the just-above-the-poverty-line rate (previously known as Newstart), don’t expect it to be much more than that. The recently announced JobTrainer scheme is also a joke to be honest.
Why is the government investing $2 BILLION into training people?! People are legitimately already trained up – the jobs simply don’t exist anymore for said skilled individuals.
Proposal to direct some of increase in #JobSeeker to training is bullshit. I have two university degrees. I don’t need training, I need the money to live on while I look for a job (that doesn’t exist!) Another handout for #LNPCrimeFamily donors @SarinaRusso.
— arewethereyet (@areweth41004866) July 19, 2020
There have been widespread calls to keep the increased Seeker payment in place long-after the pandemic, and heck even before the pandemic.
Either way, all is set to be revealed when the PM/Treasurer provide a financial update on Thursday. With Victoria on serious lockdown, and NSW not far off it – it’s sure to be an interesting announcement.
Image Sources: Twitter (@ScottMorrisonPM)
