We are not bringing back JobKeeper’ Frydenberg shuts down NSW’s plea
A New South Wales request to have JobKeeper reinstated amid the current lockdown has been rejected by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
Speaking today after a meeting with leaders of the business community, Mr Frydenberg said despite NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s plea, JobKeeper will not be brought back but those affected by the Sydney coronavirus outbreak will have other financial support available to them.
“We are not bringing back JobKeeper,” Mr Frydenberg said.
The Federal Government will, however, provide NSW with “the same support” Victoria received a few weeks ago through the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
“The payments of $500 and $325 are available,” he said.
Mr Frydenberg met some of Australia’s most powerful business leaders today to discuss how the private sector can help deliver vaccine doses.
The Federal Government has considered allowing big businesses in the private sector to help deliver the COVID-19 jab, as seen with flu vaccines.
“It was agreed by all members present that businesses will write to all the workers about the importance of being vaccinated, and in some cases will reach out to the customer base,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“The Commonwealth will work with the business community about that particular message.”
The Treasurer added that premises such as Bunnings and Officeworks were put forward as potential vaccination centres, and incentives for vaccinated people were also discussed.
“It was a constructive and productive meeting,” he said.
The Treasurer refuted questions about why business leaders have only just become involved in the conversation about rolling out the vaccine.
“But with respect to today, it was about accelerating that involvement commensurate with the acceleration in the vaccine rollout,” he said.
“And as more supply comes on board, businesses can play a greater role.
“And, of course, their advocacy about the importance of getting the jab is going to be vital.”
Mr Frydenberg said business involvement will be increasingly important later in the year when more vaccines are available.
Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox told Today businesses would need an indemnity similar to doctors and drug companies, protecting them from any adverse effects of the vaccines.
“If we want to speed up the rollout once we have the supply, this is the best way of doing it,” he said.
“Hopefully this is the beginning of being able to rollout vaccines through workplaces, just like the flu.”
The meeting, which will include representatives from major Australian mining and banking companies, was held two days after GPs were given the green light to deliver the Pfizer vaccine to patients aged 40-59.
“We think it’s important that businesses have a greater role in the vaccine rollout, that business centres become vaccination centres,” Mr Willox said.
“It’s a really strong opportunity to put forward businesses concerns around the vaccine rollout and provide advice around a path forward.
He said the coronavirus jab needed to be approached in the same way as flu vaccinations.
“Businesses have to have the supply, they have to have a nurse available to administer it, of course, they need to have all the legal supports that they need to become vaccination centres,” Mr Willox said.
“If we want to get back to something that looks like the old normal, we have to speed this up.
“Workplaces are where people congregate and businesses stand ready.”
The move hinges on having more supply, with 40 million doses of Pfizer set to hit Australian shores in October.
