PM DISCUSSED JOBKEEPER EXTENSION WITH QANTAS BEFORE ALLOWING 6,000 JOBS TO BE CUT

TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
MEMBER FOR WATSON

CATHERINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MEMBER FOR BALLARAT
 

Asked point blank about the JobKeeper supplement on A Current Affair last night, the Prime Minister admitted that he failed to provide future certainty to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.
 
This came the night before Qantas cut 6,000 Australian jobs.
 
STEFANOVIC: Did Alan Joyce ask you to extend a JobKeeper?
MORRISON: We talked about that last night and what he said today was right, we know that there are businesses like Qantas, and I was with others today in the entertainment sector, who will be affected for much longer than any other businesses.
 
Scott Morrison knows that aviation workers are going to be affected far beyond September, but is refusing to outline what assistance – if any – his Government is prepared to provide.
 
Yesterday Qantas joined Virgin Australia’s independent administrators, Labor and unions in calling on the Government to avoid the September JobKeeper cliff for Australia’s stricken aviation industry.
 
Scott Morrison must stop delaying the release of the review into JobKeeper and give workers and businesses alike the certainty they need to plan beyond the September “snapback” deadline.
 
The Prime Minister could have prevented yesterday’s devastating jobs losses.
 
Every job lost and route cut in Australia’s aviation sector is the direct result of decisions taken by Scott Morrison.
 
FRIDAY, 26 JUNE 2020