The Australian Federal Minister of Commerce was blown after a « confusing » appearance on television about Victoria’s latest devastating lockdown.
It comes the same day that Victoria recorded a positive Covid case in an elderly care facility. Officials launched a full health response to prevent the virus from spreading.
Victoria recorded five new cases on Sunday for a total of 49 active cases in the state. The exposure sites have reached more than 170, raising fears that the lockdown could be extended beyond the Friday deadline.
The urge to bring JobKeeper back for the struggling residents is also gaining momentum. ACTU says « more than a million casual workers in Victoria will face increased insecurity this week ».
Victorian Liberal MP Dan Tehan, who appeared on ABC’s Insider Program on Sunday, was asked if the federal government would support the Victorian-style casual workers financially affected by the state’s fourth lockdown.
Mr Tehan suggested that those concerned « go to Centrelink » but could not confirm whether they would receive additional funding.
Mr Tehan mentioned a number of « existing support packages » – namely the Pandemic Vacation Disaster Payment and the Emergency Health Payment – but the problem, as host David Speers pointed out, is that the payments are not available to everyone, mainly if you have Covid contract -19 or are a close contact.
« Well, you can go to Centrelink and if you’re eligible if you’ve lost a full week of work, or if you’ve lost two weeks of work, then you may be eligible for one of those emergency payments, » Tehan said.
« For those who find themselves in a situation where they have completely lost their income, they should go to Centrelink and see if they are eligible. »
Services Australia’s website, which lists the Crisis Payments, states specifically, « You cannot receive this Crisis Payment for the lock. »
When asked whether the federal government is announcing a new political position, Mr. Tehan’s fumbled answer is listed below.
WATCH: David Speers asks @DanTehanWannon if the federal government will offer assistance to lock Victoria after JobKeeper # Insiders # auspolpic.twitter.com / TMj8B7Ahn8 expires
« Of course, if you’ve lost your income it is eligibility-dependent and you will lose your income for the week. Then you should go to Centrelink and see if you might be eligible for an emergency payment. »
« This is not a new government policy. I say if you have lost all of your income you should go to Centrelink and see if you are eligible for payment.
« It depends on your circumstances and your loss of income. You assess the situation and see if you are eligible for payment.
« In terms of federal government assistance to Victoria during this pandemic, we have paid more federal government assistance to Victoria per capita than any state or territory. »
Dan Tehan was tasked with avoiding details like they were the real virus this morning. He’s doing pretty well.
Dan Tehan made it clear that the federal government was unwilling to support Victorian workers. Particularly frustrating given that the Deputy Prime Minister has just reiterated that the introduction of the vaccine is not a race. These people don’t help. #auspol
Dan Tehan with a lot of « You might be eligible » in his # Insiders interview to avoid saying « You won’t be ».
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese came across Mr. Tehan, called his interview « confusing » and asked to apologize.
Speaking of Mr. Tehan’s recent appearance, Mr. Albanese said, « I’m not sure what he said, I know he wasn’t clear at all, but he implied that significant economic support was already available.
« The federal government needs to clarify exactly what it means. This is a government where the messages, whether it is about income support, whether it is about whether people should be vaccinated or whether it is national quarantine, have to clarify their message. « »
Tim Pallas says Vic wanted the Morrison government to back workers who resigned during the lockdown and the Commonwealth said no. Says don’t follow Dan Tehan’s advice and go to Centrelink as there is no additional support. Says he’s angry and wrong empathy means nothing, tangible commitments do.
More than a million Australian workers who received JobKeeper had « torn away » the support at the end of March, according to Labor.
On Sunday, Victoria’s incumbent Prime Minister James Merlino announced a $ 250 million support package for companies struggling during the seven-day lockdown.
Speaking at a press conference, he said the package will be available to small and medium-sized businesses, including retailers, to help them get through this « very difficult time ».
The Australian Union Council (ACTU) backed the announcement but said some workers in Victoria will « try to stretch pay from last week this week ».
In response to the Insider Program, President Michele O’Neil wrote, « We need JobKeeper 2 and we need it now for situations like the ones we have in Victoria today. »
In a statement, Ms. O’Neil blamed the government for the situation in Victoria, citing the hotel quarantine failure and the slow introduction of the vaccine.
« They made a bad situation worse by withdrawing JobKeeper too early and refusing to set up JobKeeper 2 now for the workers and companies that desperately need it, » she said.
« We know that a large number of the more than half a million casual workers in Victoria this week will lose hours and pay due to the lockdown and lack of federal government support.
This is urgent. No time for the Morrison administration to sit back and wait. We need effective vaccinations and quarantine, and workers today need JobKeeper 2. pic.twitter.com/IqaGazOmOG
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg released a statement Sunday afternoon that the Morrison government will continue to work with the Victorian government and closely monitor the situation.
« Both the Queensland and Western Australia lockdowns did not require any further federal assistance, » Frydenberg said.
« In the case of Victoria, the Morrison administration has and continues to offer an unprecedented level of direct economic support.
« Over $ 45 billion has flowed to Victorian families and businesses during COVID, with more direct federal economic support per capita going to Victoria than any other state. » The direct economic support from the federal government for Victoria is about three times what was provided by the state government.
« The $ 1,500 pandemic leave disaster payment is available, as is the National Health Emergency crisis payment.
« For companies suffering losses, the loss carryforward measure is available to increase cash flow at the end of the fiscal year.
« The economic impact of the Victorian outbreak is not negligible, but the budget just over two weeks ago was expecting more outbreaks.
« Our budgetary measures have been calibrated accordingly, with the budget providing additional COVID-related economic support of $ 41 billion.
« If lengthy lockdowns are avoided and outbreaks are curbed, the economy can continue its strong recovery. »
The Morrison government has donated & to continue providing an unprecedented amount of direct economic assistance to the Victorians. 45 billion US dollars are already flowing into family businesses owned by &. Declaration on the economic support of the federal government for Victoriað ?????? https: //t.co/mJNMy0ew5J
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