The Morrison Government’s heartless decision to cut JobKeeper from $1,200 per fortnight to $1,000 per fortnight will impact thousands of local residents who are already struggling in this recession.
1.5 million Australians are still on JobKeeper, including an estimated 17,000 people in Shortland.
By cutting the rate, the Government is ripping $3.4 million of crucial support from the Shortland economy each week.
This recession is far from over, and the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney is a reminder of how quickly things can change.
For a significant and growing proportion of my community, their circumstances are much grimmer than they were at the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Local food banks have reported up to a tripling in demand for their services as a result of the Government’s cut to JobKeeper in September.
Further reductions to this support will make their situations even more challenging.
The Morrison Government is due to remove JobKeeper entirely on 28 March.
I call upon the Government to extend JobKeeper for those businesses who are still struggling in this recession to ensure that families in my electorate can have food on the table and a roof over their heads.