Following advocacy by Tourism Council WA, the Federal Government has announced a revision to the proposed JobKeeper extension which will include seasonal tourism workers which started after March 1 and before 1 July, if the business is eligible for the program.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the amendment was a huge win for seasonal tourism businesses in northern Western Australia.
“Most seasonal tourism businesses don’t fire up until late March or early April, so their usual seasonal staff were not previously eligible for JobKeeper,” he said.
Last month, Tourism Council WA wrote to all WA Federal Members of Parliament, supported by 2,500 signatures on a petition, calling for JobKeeper to be extended to include seasonal tourism workers.
“We congratulate the Federal Government for listening to the needs of seasonal tourism businesses in northern WA and making this revision,” Mr Hall said.
Tourism Council WA will now focus on ensuring the amended JobKeeper legislation meets the expectations of industry and passes through Federal Parliament quickly.
“These changes will give those seasonal tourism businesses in WA certainty and support to keep going after the end of the season and start up again next year,” Mr Hall said.
