Dear Editor,
A decision by the Federal Liberal Nationals Government to extend the JobKeeper scheme for a further six months will be welcomed by country Victorian businesses that are relying on the payments to keep local people in work.
Restrictions in place to stop the spread of coronavirus are there to save lives, but they’ve also had a massive impact on regional economies.
An additional 250,000 Victorians are out of work due to the second round of restrictions imposed on Victorians as a result of Daniel Andrews’ hotel quarantine fiasco in Melbourne.
I’ve heard from many business owners who say they wouldn’t be open and keeping local people in work without the JobKeeper scheme.
Expanding the program to make more Victorian businesses and workers eligible for these support payments is relief our country communities desperately need as we enter six more weeks of Stage 3 lockdown.
Businesses will now only have to prove GST turnover has fallen across one quarter, instead of multiple quarters meaning more will be able to access it.
I urge anyone seeking financial support to apply at www.ato.gov.au/General/JobKeeper-Payment/
Peter Walsh
Leader of The Nationals
Member for Murray Plains