House debates

Thursday, 4 February 2021

Statements by Members

Pensions and Benefits

1:47 pm

Photo of Joanne RyanJoanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

While many in my community have seen through a long lockdown in Victoria, working from home without the loss of a single dollar to their family income, lots of Australians, lots in my community and lots around the country have been left behind by this government, left behind at every turn. Those in the university sector, those in the aviation sector, those in the local government sector and visa holders have been left to live on air and a dream, and it continues. This government will cut JobKeeper across the board while there's still critical need in regions around Australia, particularly among those reliant on international tourism, which is not coming back online. This government has let down the 928,000 over-35s who are looking for work, cutting them out and deliberately excluding them from the hiring subsidies. This government will cut JobKeeper. It will return it to $40 a day while two million Australians are looking for work or for more work.

Until he concedes that he has left behind people who are still struggling, this Prime Minister needs to stop pounding the drum about a recovery. With the Australian Labor Party, they'll have someone on their side.