State Govt support is the ‘last hope’ for 200 council workers that have been stood down

There are fears more local government staffers will be stood down without an income in coming weeks as access to JobKeeper payments continues to be difficult for many. SEE WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO SAY >>

THE Union representing more than 200 local government members who have been stood-down without any income says its members are pleading for help from the state.

It says the workers are unable to access the Commonwealth’s $1500 a fortnight JobKeeper payment and the union fears the number of workers in need is still climbing.

Australian Services Union state co-ordinator Aaron De La Torre said the Gutwein Government was the workers’ last hope.

“These workers are ineligible for JobKeeper and have found themselves exhausting all of their leave entitlements and joining the Centrelink queue in the hope of support,” Mr De La Torre said.

The workers are also ineligible for JobSeeker payments if their partner earns more than $79,762.

“This is seeing Tasmanian families who rely on two incomes see an entire income disappear from their weekly budget.”

Read More:

SERVICES UNION WELCOMES JOBKEEPER PACKAGE, BUT SAYS SERIOUS ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED TO SAVE ESSENTIAL JOBS

Australian Services Union organiser Aaron De La Torre. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously said the onus was on states and territories to support local governments if necessary.

“It’s not too late for the Tasmanian state government to step up and fill the gap in Job Keeper that is crippling workers and their families across the state,” Mr De La Torre said.

“In many regional communities, the local council is one of the largest employers, and the loss of jobs in these communities is devastating for the whole local economy.”

Mr De La Torre said councils had provided “much needed rate relief” to the community, as encouraged by the State Government, but the measure was largely unfunded.

“In the meantime, even some of our largest councils are now facing the inevitable questions of how they provide relief and services to the community without money in the bank to keep their workers on to do exactly that.”

Mr De La Torre said the areas of council hit with the most stand-downs were leisure and aquatic centres, tourism and travel centres, as well as community and economic development.

There are now a number of examples of state governments across the country stepping in to provide support to workers who have been excluded from the Federal JobKeeper scheme.

Local Government minister Mark Shelton said the State Government had expressed its expectation to the local government sector that councils should retain as many employees as possible during this period.

“To support councils to do this, the State Government has waived payroll tax for eligible councils, ensured service and utility fee relief is provided, and established a $150 million no interest loan scheme.

“This means councils can keep investing in projects to provide employment opportunities for Tasmanians and also to support operational measures taken in response to, or as a result of the impacts of COVID-19.”