Coronavirus: Five-year road to recovery, Scott Morrison tells MPs

Scott Morrison has warned Coalition MPs it will be a five-year road to recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19.

Scott Morrison in Canberra last week. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison has warned Coalition MPs it will be a five-year road to recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19 as he defends the government’s handling of the crisis ahead of a parliamentary sitting week.

At the Coalition partyroom meeting on Tuesday, the Prime Minister urged his MPs to talk about “jobs jobs jobs” and called for unity as he defended his government’s “laser like focus” on managing the path out of the economic crisis.

“What Australians are counting on us right now for and into the foreseeable future is the restoration of their livelihoods, the restoration of their businesses, the restoration of the lives they once new and importantly the hope they want for them and their families,” he said.

Mr Morrison said recovery wouldn’t be a short-term project but a “five-year event”. He said the decisions made over the next few years would determine the trajectory of Australia for a generation.

“What we do in the next five years will determine the next thirty,” he said. “It will set up an entire generation of opportunities for Australia but it all hinges critically on the decisions and actions we take now, so each day we have to check ourselves and say: what’s important?”

Labor is seeking to pursue the government over the JobKeeper wage subsidy program being cut off too early after the government announced child care will lose the package in July.

Top of the Morrison government’s agenda is a bill dealing with medicinal cannabis and hemp exports.

New legislation will include powers to ban dodgy carers and service providers from entering the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Labor will introduce a bill to overturn a Howard-era presumption of equal parental responsibility in family law while Greens leader Adam Bandt is seeking a ban on coal mining and exports.

Meanwhile, the regulation of migration agents, changes to paid parental leave and a new commonwealth business registry regime will be debated in the Senate.

The Morrison government’s big stick legislation, which was passed by parliament in December last year, will come into force on Wednesday in an effort to force electricity retailers pass on reduced costs through lower power bills.

The legislation gives the competition watchdog the power to break up energy companies if they misuse their market power.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the laws would make sure all electricity customers are treated fairly and the market operates competitively.

“The law will help build consumer trust in the electricity market, and ensure energy companies provide the best possible service to households and businesses,” he said.

Centre Alliance will push for a Senate inquiry into the future development of Australia’s relationship with China and an Upper House report on policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping is expected to be handed down.