Almost 300,000 businesses across Australia sign up for new JobKeeper package to keep workers on during COVID-19 crisis
In just a day, hundreds of thousands of businesses have signed up for the new JobKeeper package, giving them funding to keep employees on even as work dries up.
Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- PM unveils $1500 JobKeeper payment
- More coverage from Tuesday: Baggage handlers test positive
- Winery owner laments shutdown
South Australian small and large business owners have wasted no time in signing up to the historic $130b JobKeeper lifeline to keep people in a job and save the economy.
Industry heavyweights and SA’s most powerful union have labelled the stimulus program as a “game changer”.
Premier Steven Marshall said the wage subsidy, which will see workers paid $1500 a fortnight “will save lives” and protect the jobs of hundreds of thousands of South Australians.
By 4pm Tuesday, 276,937 small and medium businesses, sole traders and not for profit groups across Australia had registered for the scheme.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was praised for the package aimed at keeping an estimated six million Australians in jobs during the coronavirus crisis.
Industry groups and employers told The Advertiser the $1500 payment - would help to keep workers and bosses connected while reducing the lines at Centrelink.
The payment can be used to supplement a worker’s pay packet so they can maintain their employment.
It also ensures workers that have been stood down will receive some income until the business picks up again.
SDA secretary Josh Peak, whose union represents supermarket and retail workers and had pushed for such a subsidy, told The Advertiser the scheme was critical for many workers in the current environment.
“We think it is very likely now that businesses will keep their workers during this period,” he said.
Tourism Industry Council South Australia chief executive Shaun de Bruyn said the payment will help the industry to retain its “highly skilled and dedicated” workforce.
Majestic Hotels CEO Eoin Loftus said customer demand across its five properties was down by at least 90 per cent. Mr Loftus said the wage subsidy would help them support their 140-strong valued workforce and that the wage subsidy would help staff feed their families.
“It’s wonderful news for an industry that has been hit the hardest,” he said.
Mark Gleeson, who co-owns Providore at the Adelaide Central Market, said the subsidy will look after the six young part-time and casual staff who have looked after his gourmet specialty treats business.
“Our business will come back firing because we don’t have to retrain people and share the shifts around,” he said.
Mr Gleeson registered for the scheme on Tuesday, which he described as easy and will now “take the pedal off the worry button”.
Australian Hotels Association SA boss Ian Horne said it would help to keep businesses alive.
“Clearly the scheme is aimed at maintaining the bond between the employer and the employee so when it does all come back they are ready to go,” Mr Horne said.
“I genuinely hope it works.”
Mr Horne, did however warn it may be too late for many companies that found themselves in a completely new world, when border closures and social distancing were introduced to quell the spread of the deadly bug.
Master Builders SA chief executive Ian Markos said: “I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say this is the most significant fiscal decision in Australian history.”
“By guaranteeing the income of workers, they will be able to pay their bills and keep spending in the economy.”
Restaurant & Catering Australia chief executive Wes Lambert said the $130 billion stimulus package would keep thousands of businesses open and people in jobs across SA.
He said temporary restaurant award changes would also enable more restaurants to continue offering takeaway, delivery.