As expected, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced today that any states or territories in an extended lockdown will benefit from a new JobKeeper-style support package, with NSW being the first state entitled to it.
A generous federal support package has been agreed for NSW businesses hit by Sydney’s coronavirus outbreak.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian have announced JobKeeper-style payments that go above and beyond arrangements during Victoria’s most recent lockdown.
Payments will be made available across NSW, with the costs shared 50/50 between the NSW and federal governments.
The new national framework will also apply to other states and territories struck by subsequent outbreaks with the PM quick to stress that It will also be rolled out in any state or territory facing an extended lockdown of four or more weeks.
“Clearly, here in NSW, the situation has taken a very different turn,” Mr Morrison said in Sydney.
“This support will be offered to any other state or territory that experiences an extended lockdown.”
“Up until now the Commonwealth has provided the same support to that offered to all other states and territories, consistent with the national approach agreed by National Cabinet last month,” the Prime Minister said.
“As the outbreak has worsened well beyond what we have recently seen in other states and territories, it is in the national interest to enable increased assistance, in partnership with the NSW Government, for workers, business and households, to ensure the lockdown can be maintained to arrest the latest outbreak.
“As lockdowns extend into another week in NSW, households and businesses need this assistance to get them through the lockdown to the other side, ready to reopen.” He said.
Here’s what we know so far
- A new business support payment will be available to entities with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million who can demonstrate a 30 per cent decline in turnover.
- To receive the payment, eligible entities will be required to maintain their full time, part-time and long term casual staffing levels as of July 13.
- Eligible entities, which includes not-for-profits, will receive payments of between $1500 and $10,000 per week based on the level of their payroll.
- For non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, the payment will be set at $1000 per week.
- From week four of a lockdown because of a Commonwealth government declared hotspot, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will increase to $600 if a person has lost 20 or more hours of work a week or $375 if a person has lost between eight and less than 20 hours of work a week.
- The Commonwealth and NSW have also agreed that from July 18 the disaster payment will be available to those outside Commonwealth declared hotspots in NSW that meet the criteria for the payment.
- The NSW government will fund any payments outside a Commonwealth declared hotspot, with the Commonwealth continuing to fund payments to recipients in a Commonwealth declared hotspot.
- The Commonwealth and NSW governments will also deliver a $17.35 million mental health support package for NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the support package would help businesses and families across NSW get through a difficult period.
“Our number one priority remains the health and safety of the people of NSW while also keeping our economy strong as we manage the current COVID-19 challenge,” the NSW Premier said.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Morrison Government was stepping up to support NSW households and businesses when they need it most as the state seeks to suppress the delta variant.
“The new small business support payment, to be funded on a 50/50 basis with the NSW Government, will support up to an estimated 500,000 entities employing more than 3 million people.”
More information will be available on the Service NSW website later this week.
Source: Prime Minister