1.1million casual workers to miss out on $1500-a-fortnight JobKeeper payments as government backflips on extending package by $5billion
- JobKeeper gives $1,500 a fortnight to workers stood down due to COVID-19
- Casual workers employed for less than a year are not included in the scheme
- The Labor Party has been calling for a change but government has said no
The government has refused to include more casual workers in the $130billion JobKeeper scheme.
The Labor Party and unions have been calling for casuals employed for less than a year to receive the $1,500-a-fortnight payments.
But the government has insisted that only workers who have been with one business for 12 months are eligible.
The government has refused to include more casual workers in the $130 billion JobKeeper scheme. Pictured: Attorney general Christian Porter
Including 1.1million casuals who have not been employed by one company for a year would have cost around an extra $5 billion over six months.
Casual workers who do no qualify for the scheme will be able to access Centrelink's enhanced JobSeeker wage of $1,100 a fortnight.
They can also still earn $104 per week without losing the JobSeeker handout.
In a press conference on Sunday, Attorney general Christian Porter hinted that more casuals could be included in JobKeeper, saying 'we're working on that, we are listening.'
But on Monday morning Mr Porter revealed the decision had been made not to expand the scheme.
He said in a press conference: 'Even with expenditure of this extraordinary size there has to be some definitions and some lines drawn.
'We think this is a fair and reasonable line.'
ACTU leader Sally McManus said anyone who works shifts should get the JobKeeper payment - but Mr Porter said this was too broad.
'I looked it and I can't accept it because it is too broad in my observation and the observation of the government,' he said.
Share this article
Labor's Industrial Relations spokesman Tony Burke slammed the government for not including more casuals.
He said: 'Up to 1.1 million casual workers will miss out on a wage subsidy – and potentially be forced into the unemployment queue – because of the Morrison Government’s refusal to compromise.'
Parliament will meet with dramatically reduced numbers on Wednesday to pass the JobKeeper payment into law.
Labor has said it will not try to stop the legislation from passing.
Mr Porter said the scheme was Australia's 'Dunkirk moment.'
'I've described it as a $130 billion worth of life boats going out. This is parliament's Dunkirk moment. We get the life boats out, and we save jobs,' he said.
