Scott Morrison attacks Labor’s new campaign to keep JobKeeper as ‘disgraceful fearmongering’

Scott Morrison has lashed out at a new website set up by Labor to attack the government, described as “fearmongering during a pandemic”.

Labor has launched a website allowing Australians to enter their postcode and see the “devastating consequences” of the JobKeeper pay ending, infuriating Scott Morrison.

Speaking at a press conference in Canberra, the Prime Minister slammed the Opposition’s campaign targeting the government, describing it as “disgraceful … fearmongering”.

The new site calls on Mr Morrison to not “cancel JobKeeper too early”, referencing the scheduled conclusion of the COVID-19 employment subsidy in September.

“More Australian workers and small businesses risk being left behind if Scott Morrison and the Liberals cancel the $1500 fortnightly JobKeeper wage subsidy too early,” it reads.

“Find out what it will mean for you and your local community if Scott Morrison cancels the JobKeeper wage subsidy too early.”

After entering a postcode, visitors are told how many businesses could be “forced to shut their doors”, how many local workers might be sacked and how much money would be “ripped out of the local economy”.

“Scott Morrison and the Liberals’ secret plan to cancel JobKeeper too early would mean more businesses closing down and more workers on unemployment queues right across Australia. We need your help to stop them.”

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Mr Morrison was asked about the plans for JobKeeper today and reiterated that the “next phase” of support will be detailed soon.

“Just as when we initiated what has been the largest ever level of income support any government has ever provided to the Australian community at any time, it was targeted for those who needed it most,” Mr Morrison said.

“The next phase of our support will also be targeted nationally to those who need it the most. The details of our decisions will be set out at the time of releasing the economic statement, as I have been saying for some weeks, and there is no change to that timetable.”

But he lashed out at Labor for “engaging in fearmongering during a pandemic”.

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The economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis have been devastating. Picture: AFP

“I think this is disgraceful,” Mr Morrison said.

“They are saying things that are blatantly untrue. I have made it very clear that there would be a further stage of income support and to make people feel more uncertain in this climate, I think it is disgraceful.

“I think it reflects badly on their leadership.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese and three Opposition spokesmen, including Treasury shadow Jim Chalmers, issued a statement today about the campaign.

“Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg’s decision to keep the JobKeeper review secret is adding to uncertainty in the business community and is a handbrake on the recovery,” it read.

The PM has attacked Labor’s new campaign, describing it as “disgraceful”. Picture: AAP

Labor has been pushing the government on multiple fronts when it comes to economic assistance related to coronavirus.

It has led calls for support for the arts sector, a housing industry stimulus package, and more detail on the post-COVID recovery.

But this new JobKeeper attack is arguably the most pointed since the pandemic began.

“The recent virus outbreak in Victoria and the necessary new restrictions make it even more important that the government clarifies the future of JobKeeper,” Labor’s statement said.

“The government must consider better targeting and tapering JobKeeper, but it can’t just turn off the tap when businesses and households are struggling with new restrictions.

“If the government continues to mismanage this recession it will be a jobless recovery, and nobody wants to see that. Australians desperately need an effective, well-executed response to this crisis, and a plan to bolster the recovery and set Australia up for the future.”