Federal government says its waiting for the state government to offer more support to Victorians before it does

The financial lifeline extended to thousands of workers across the Geelong region should be extended for as long as COVID-19 restrictions are in play, a Torquay MP says.

The financial lifeline extended to thousands of workers across the Geelong region should be extended for as long as COVID-19 restrictions are in play, a Torquay MP says.

Stuart Gimley has called on Premier Daniel Andrews to lobby for the JobKeeper payment to continue in Victoria for as long as restrictions continue.

The $1500 fortnightly federal government payment, which has been extended beyond its original end date, is due to drop to $1200 at the end of this month and end in March. The JobSeeker payment is due to end in December.

Mr Grimley called for the extension of JobKeeper and more financial support for business because people are “confused and anxious” because of the uncertainty COVID-19 has caused.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said before he commits to more financial support for Victorians he wanted to see what the state government would offer.

“I’m seeking to see what the Victorian government will be doing in taking actions to mitigate the economic impact of the decisions the Victorian government has made regarding the restrictions and the plan that they have set out,” Mr Morrison said.

“I expect Victoria and many other states will announce further programs in these areas as, indeed, the Commonwealth will to support their economies.”

Mr Andrews said the state had a good case for an extension to JobKeeper.

“We’ll make announcements quite soon in relation to further rounds of business support.

“I think we’d have a very strong case to mount, once there is announcements made about very substantial additional Victorian government assistance.”

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He said the state budget, due to be released next month, would include significant money to ease the impact of the current recession.

“It will be the biggest program of stimulus and economic investment that this state has ever seen,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr Grimley also called for sole traders, such as beauty salon operators, to be allowed to reopen. Mr Andrews said regional Victoria could have a number restrictions lifted in a week that may allow that to happen.

In July, more than 8800 businesses in the Geelong region were being kept afloat by JobKeeper.

Originally published as Federal government says its waiting for the state government to offer more support to Victorians before it does