Bring Back Jobkeeper

Last Saturday the NSW Government announced the most strict lock down requirements for residents of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs meaning that most workers should not leave the area until July 30. Although not effecting authorised workers; it has seen construction sites closed down and most people not able to leave our area for work.

70 per cent of Werriwa residents leave our community to work every day and Werriwa is in the top 5 for rental and mortgage stress. These restrictions are placing an unbearable toll on families and workers.

Epidemiologists have recently predicted that we are likely to have some form of restrictions until, at least, the end of August; and with COVID numbers of infectious in the community stubbornly high this may well be the case.

Clearly what our community needs is JobKeeper-targeted support, to relieve the stress and pay the bills.

During last year's lockdowns around Australia, Job Keeper and COVID support payments kept us safe, and healthy. The Government needs to again provide support for the basics, such as rent, groceries and to pay employees.

The NSW Government's announcement of a COVID-19 Disaster Payment of $600 per week is well below the minimum wage and worse, it does not include casual workers who receive some support such as JobSeeker, Abstudy and youth allowance.

The Federal Government needs to reinstate JobKeeper and provide sufficient COVID-19 payments to help our community now when they need it.

If you need support, please call my office, or email me, so that we can return your call. You can also find information about financial support on www.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/financial-support-individuals-and-households.

Published in the Liverpool Champion on 28 July 2021: https://www.liverpoolchampion.com.au/story/7359519/werriwa-matters-with-anne-stanley-bring-back-jobkeeper/?cs=1465