Peter Gutwein must find his voice at today’s National Cabinet
meeting and argue for an extension to the JobKeeper program.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said after the Premier failed to stand
up for the Early Childhood Education Sector that had JobKeeper removed
early, he must do better today and demand the payment be extended beyond
September to support Tasmania’s economy and workers hardest hit by the
coronavirus.
“Peter Gutwein has given a commitment to fight to extend JobKeeper
but he failed to say one word in support of the Early Childhood Education
Sector when the payment was withdrawn early, and time after time he has
returned from National Cabinet with no update,” Ms White said.
“Today is his chance to stand up for Tasmanian workers doing
it tough.
“Thousands of Tasmanians would have faced unemployment without
JobKeeper and if the program isn’t extended, there is a real risk of further economic
contraction and more job losses.
“Significantly, just over 17% of direct and indirect employment in
Tasmania is reliant on tourism.
“Now, with the state’s borders shut and no indication of when they
might reopen, those jobs are in limbo and affected workers will need ongoing
support.
“Peter Gutwein must declare whether he remains committed to fighting for an extension of JobKeeper because his silence on the early withdrawal of the payment from the Early Childhood Education Sector is not a good sign for thousands of Tasmanian workers.”
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
