Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Why don't I read you what it says, because it's very self-explanatory. Section 7, which is on page 4, provides:

(1)   The rules may make provision for and in relation to:

  (a)   one or more kinds of payments by the Commonwealth to an entity in respect of a time that occurs during the prescribedperiod—

and you've already mentioned the prescribed period—

and

  (b)   the establishment of a scheme providing for matters relatingto one or more of those payments, and matters relating to such a scheme.

  Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not limit each other.

So it is a broad-ranging discretion that will enable the government to respond to the economic challenges flowing from the coronavirus crisis with the appropriate level of flexibility.