House debates

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Questions without Notice

COVID-19: Economy

3:07 pm

Photo of Brendan O'ConnorBrendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industry) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. How many businesses are trading insolvent and are expected to close when government support is suddenly withdrawn in September?

Photo of Josh FrydenbergJosh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, as you know and as the honourable member knows, we have put in place some changes to the insolvency and bankruptcy laws to get businesses through this difficult period, but, at the same time, we are doing everything possible to ensure that businesses can stay in business and Australians can stay in jobs. The member for Gorton should know that in his own electorate there are more than 4,000 people who are benefitting from the JobKeeper program. The reality is that through our measures we are supporting more than 800,000 businesses with the JobKeeper program. Under us, you'll see more people in a job and see taxes lower.