Josh Frydenberg considering JobKeeper style scheme for Victoria

Josh Frydenberg is considering options to offer some form of assistance to Victorian workers if the current lockdown is extended.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is considering options to offer some form of assistance to Victorian workers if the current lockdown is extended, as calls mount for the reintroduction of a JobKeeper style scheme or pandemic payments.

After the Morrison Government was savaged for refusing to offer any JobKeeper style scheme for thousands of casual workers stood down without pay this week, it has been revealed Mr Frydenberg has been quietly examining options behind closed doors.

Mr Frydenberg hinted in a Facebook post on Sunday that if the situation changed the Morrison Government would review the assistance on offer.

The JobKeeper scheme was axed in March after more than $28 million was paid out to Victorian employers in wage subsidies.

Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy has revealed in Senate estimates today that Mr Frydenberg has now requested advice around the lockdown including what assistance the Victorian Government has offered.

“The Treasurer has asked us for advice around the lockdown,” Dr Kennedy said.

“In preparing advice we would explore all options.”

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Influential business commentator Terry McCrann is also calling for the reintroduction of wage subsidies in The Australian today.

“If the lockdown went only for one week, I would argue it’s the state’s responsibility to foot the bill for businesses – starting with the weekend’s $250m package. Workers would get normal federal welfare such as JobSeeker,” he wrote.

“But it’s going longer, so the two treasurers, Victoria’s Tim Pallas and Josh Frydenberg should – must – agree to the split and the process.

“The Feds must make it much easier than ‘normal’ for those workers impacted to get the payments, and get them immediately.”

Victorian Tim Pallas has previously savaged the federal government’s refusal to offer economic support.

“This idea that we are working hand in glove, when they have never put their hand in their pocket, is nothing short of a disgrace,” he said.

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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is considering options to offer some form of assistance to Victorian workers if the current lockdown is extended. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

Calls for the Federal Government to offer financial support to Victoria have mounted in recent days. Picture: David Crosling

In fact, while the Morrison Government hasn’t offered special assistance during the current lockdown it has previously funnelled over $40 billion in JobKeeper subsidies and other assistance into the state.

The support package announced by the Victorian state government is worth just $250 million.

The Prime Minister has argued that assistance was not offered in short, sharp lockdowns in Queensland and Western Australia.

Earlier, Dr Kennedy revealed around 56,000 workers on JobKeeper lost their jobs following the end of the wage subsidy scheme.

But he said given that 400,000 people move in and out of the labour force each month this wasn’t regarded as concerning impact linked the abolition of the scheme.

“I expect many of those to gain employment in coming weeks,” Dr Kennedy said.

Dr Kennedy also pleaded with Australians to get the jab as soon as they can, saying “we cannot take our recovery for granted” and that it is of “utmost importance that Australians get vaccinated when their turns come”.