4 years ago
NEW JOBKEEPER DATA WELCOME, BUT MORE CAN BE DONE
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
Data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) identifies the JobKeeper wage subsidy has encouraged businesses to maintain staff, but Labor remains concerned about the design elements that has seen businesses reluctant to apply and employees miss out.
The ABS statistics reveal around 33 per cent of businesses reported they did not intend to apply for JobKeeper payments because they were not eligible.
One in five business in the accommodation and food industry aren’t registering for JobKeeper because they don’t know if they’re eligible.
This is particularly concerning considering these are the industries that have so far seen the largest change, with jobs decreasing by 25.6 per cent and wages paid in that sector fall by 30.1 per cent.
Labor is concerned there is a lack of clear information available to small businesses, which may be putting them off applying for the JobKeeper scheme.
Federal Labor has written to the government to consider the introduction of a voucher scheme for accredited accountants to assist small businesses with the JobKeeper payment scheme and cash flow boost measure.
Labor again calls on the Morrison Government to make the simple changes required to keep more Australians in work and out of the unemployment queues.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has extraordinary powers to extend JobKeeper with the stroke of a pen and he should use them.
Labor has been constructive, supportive and responsible throughout this virus outbreak. But being constructive does not mean being silent when there are clear gaps that need to be filled.
Labor’s priority is to protect jobs and support Australian workers, businesses, families and communities through this difficult time.
The ABS statistics reveal around 33 per cent of businesses reported they did not intend to apply for JobKeeper payments because they were not eligible.
One in five business in the accommodation and food industry aren’t registering for JobKeeper because they don’t know if they’re eligible.
This is particularly concerning considering these are the industries that have so far seen the largest change, with jobs decreasing by 25.6 per cent and wages paid in that sector fall by 30.1 per cent.
Labor is concerned there is a lack of clear information available to small businesses, which may be putting them off applying for the JobKeeper scheme.
Federal Labor has written to the government to consider the introduction of a voucher scheme for accredited accountants to assist small businesses with the JobKeeper payment scheme and cash flow boost measure.
Labor again calls on the Morrison Government to make the simple changes required to keep more Australians in work and out of the unemployment queues.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has extraordinary powers to extend JobKeeper with the stroke of a pen and he should use them.
Labor has been constructive, supportive and responsible throughout this virus outbreak. But being constructive does not mean being silent when there are clear gaps that need to be filled.
Labor’s priority is to protect jobs and support Australian workers, businesses, families and communities through this difficult time.