"The Federal Government's broadening of eligibility for JobKeeper to a larger range of employers and to more employees, is a welcome, sensible and timely response to the repercussions flowing from Australia’s second COVID-19 wave," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.
"The extensive shutdown of the Victorian economy in response to the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases has dramatically altered the outlook for both the Victorian and the national economy and today's announcement will be a lifeline for many businesses and their employees over coming months.
"The changes mean that many thousands of employers and employees not previously eligible for JobKeeper will become eligible from the end of September. This will be of particular benefit to businesses and employees adversely affected by the Victorian shutdown whether these impacts are direct or indirect.
"Extending the fiscal stimulus is not without its costs. However, in these extraordinary circumstances, the changes announced today will help avoid the much greater costs of widespread unemployment and business closures threatened by the Victorian shutdown," Mr Willox said.
Media enquiries: Tony Melville – 0419 190 347
