Australians are being warned of a long road out of the coronavirus crisis in a new alert on the need for strict shutdowns, as Parliament approves the $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy in the hope it will only be needed for six months
The detail of the JobKeeper package showed that employers who knowingly breached the new law could face fines of up to $610,000, while those who defrauded the system could be hit with criminal penalties.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said that scenario would see about three million Australians contract the virus, but even that was now well above the government's worst case. He said that would mean the infection of 15 million people and a "catastrophic loss of human life" when assuming an infection fatality rate of 1 per cent.
Some have likened the approach to "zoning" or easing shutdowns in some states or cities to determine the impact on the infection rate and the relative success of each measure. While Labor argued for more sittings to ensure greater scrutiny, the government insisted on its preferred plan for Parliament to take a long winter break and resume on August 11.
The tax office will also have the discretion to set alternative tests for eligibility where a business' unique situation requires it and can be tolerant where a business just misses the revenue downturn required to access JobKeeper.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Parliament meets to pass $130b wages helpWage subsidies designed to save six million jobs will be approved by federal parliament when a reduced number of politicians meet in Canberra.
Read more »
Coronavirus updates: Lower House passes $130b rescue package as death toll reaches 50The federal government's $130 billion income support package has been passed by the House of Representatives. 9News
Read more »
Union deal clears way for $130 billion wage subsidyA high-stakes deal on workplace law has cleared a key obstacle to the Morrison government passing its $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy | CroweDM nickbonyhady
Read more »
Parliament meets to pass $130b wages helpWage subsidies designed to save six million jobs will be approved by federal parliament when a reduced number of politicians meet in Canberra.
Read more »
Universities sound alarm after denied greater access to wage subsidyUniversities have warned their viability is threatened from major revenue losses after being denied greater access to JobKeeper wage subsidies.
Read more »
JobKeeper legislation will allow employers to change workers' roles and hoursThe Attorney-General has announced the government's legislation will let employers make big changes to how their staff operate while on JobKeeper wage subsidies.
Read more »