21 companies promise to return $297 million in JobKeeper: Who are they?
The Federal Government’s JobKeeper program was praised by business leaders as a way to keep workers tied to their jobs when lockdowns first hit the nation.
But, with many businesses able to continue online services, and many Aussies have extra cash and time for home improvements, many companies actually had bumper years.
In response to public pressure, 21 of the 75 publicly listed ASX companies have promised to return the funds.
Also read: ‘What the hell?’: Centrelink demands Aussie repay $3,000
Also read: Little known $310 Centrelink payment for people waiting on COVID-19 test results
Also read: Lockdown could force Aussies on Centrelink into homelessness: Warnings
Here are the 21 companies that have promised to return the money. These numbers are from July 6 2021, except Domain, which announced on 17 August it would return JobKeeper.
Premier Investments (PMV.AX)
Received $76.4 million
Returned $15.6 million
Cochlear (COH.AX)
Received $46.2 million
Returned $23.1 million
Qube Holders (QUB.AX)
Received $30.3 million
Returned $16.8 million
CIMIC Group (CIM.AX)
Received $20 million
Returned $20 million
Mirvac Group (MGR.AX)
Received $19 million
Returned $10.5 million
SEEK (SEK.AX)
Received $18 million
Returned $9.8 million
Sims Limited (SGM.AX)
Received $14 million
Returned $7.5 million
Healius Limited (HLS.AX)
Received $14 million
Returned $1.3 million
Iluka Resources (ILU.AX)
Received $13.6 million
Returned $13.6 million
Ingenia Communities Group (INA.AX)
Received $9.5 million
Returned $1.7 million
Nick Scali (NCK.AX)
Received $7.1 million
Returned $3.56 million
Collins Foods (CKF.AX)
Received $4.2 million
Returned $1.8 million
Santos (STO.AX)
Received $4 million
Returned $4 million
Super Retail Group (SUL.AX)
Received $3.2 million
Returned $1.7 million
ALS Limister (ALQ.AX)
Received $3.5 million
Returned $2.45 million
Nine Entertainment (NEC.AX)
Received $2.6 million
Returned $2 million
Dominos Pizza (DMP.AX)
Received $800,000
Returned $800,000
Lynas Corp (LYC.AX)
Received $2.02 million
Returned $1.02 million
Blackmores (BKL.AX)
Received $3.4 million
Returned $2.4 million
ADBRI Limited (ABC.AX)
Received $200,000
Returned $200,000
Domain (DHG.AX)
Received $11.9 million
Returned $6.5 million
Companies not forced to disclose JobKeeper
Big companies are not forced to reveal how much they received in JobKeeper wage subsidies after a push for greater transparency was defeated in parliament.
Independent senator Rex Patrick in early August amended a federal Government bill for new coronavirus financial support to include JobKeeper disclosure requirements for companies earning more than $10 million.
But the coalition used its lower house numbers to defeat the change and Labor voted with the government in the Senate.
Centrelink goes after individual Aussies
This comes after Centrelink sent debt letters to nearly 12,000 Australians on welfare payments ordering them to pay back debts worth a total of nearly $33 million.
The debt recovery comes after the agency deemed they were actually ineligible to receive the payments, or were overpaid.
Services Australia told Senate Estimates that it had raised debts with at least 11,771 people after a review into income payments, including JobKeeper payments.
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