NEW BUSINESS ASSISTANCE MUST INCLUDE WAGE SUBSIDIES FOR WORKERS

JIM CHALMERS MP
SHADOW TREASURER
MEMBER FOR RANKIN
 
TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
MEMBER FOR WATSON
 
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND INDUSTRY SHADOW MINISTER FOR SCIENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS
MEMBER FOR GORTON
 

Labor will consider the detail of the Morrison Government’s third stimulus package when it is released over the coming days.
 
While we welcome additional support for business it is already clear that the first two stimulus packages have not been enough to prevent large scale job losses and business closures.
 
We take our responsibility to be supportive and constructive very seriously, and have been working with the Government accordingly.
 
Being constructive does not mean remaining silent when there are clear gaps that must be filled.
 
For the future health of our economy and for businesses to recover, it is essential we keep as many Australians connected to the labour market and their employers as possible.
 
To stem the flow of Australians joining the record Centrelink queues much more must be done for workers.
 
It will be very disappointing if the next tranche of support does not include more support for workers including wage subsidies.
 
If the Government is serious about preventing businesses becoming over-burdened by debt, they must examine their own support packages which are themselves built around higher debt for small and medium sized businesses.
 
This is not the time for half measures.
 
Labor will continue to inject a sense of urgency where it is lacking or absent.
 
FRIDAY, 27 MARCH 2020