Coronavirus In Australia: $130 Billion Wage Lifeline For Employees, Victoria Announces Stage 3 Restrictions
At least 4,093 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Australia and 18 people have died.
The virus has killed more than 23,000 people worldwide and continues to spread at a rapid pace.
Here is what is happening in Australia today:
1. Government Unveils $130 Billion Package To Keep People Employed
The Federal Government will inject $130 billion over next six months to support the jobs and livelihoods of what is anticipated to be six million Australians in need of a lifeline.
Designed to keep employees connected to their employers, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison said $1,500 will be available per fortnight, per employee for full and part time workers.
“We will pay employers to pay their employees to keep them in the businesses,” Morrison said.
Australians who receive the ‘Job Keeper Payment’ cannot also receive the ‘Jobseeker Payment’ from Centrelink.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the subsidy scheme for Australia is unlike those announced by other nations.
“It’s more generous than New Zealand scheme, it is broader than the United Kingdom scheme, as it applies to all employees not just those that have been stood down,” he told reporters on Monday.
“And it’s available to all eligible firms, not just small businesses as is the case with the Canadian scheme.”
New Zealanders in Australia on the 444 visa will be eligible for the wage subsidy package.
2. Victoria Announces Stage 3 Restrictions
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has once again urged residents to ‘stay at home’ as he confirmed the state will enter Stage 3 restrictions at midnight on Monday.
Speaking to media at a Melbourne press conference, he said the state is enforcing Scott Morrison’s rule of public gatherings being restricted to no more than two people. Victorians will receive an on the spot fine of more than $1,600 if the “critically important” ban is breached.
