Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

ABS data shows that in my seat of Corangamite job losses due to COVID have reached almost 10 per cent, ranging from 8.6 per cent in Torquay, 11.8 per cent in Lorne-Anglesea to 13.33 per cent in the Otways. In recent data, the Otways is the fourth-worst affected area for job losses in Australia, and Lorne-Anglesea comes in 10th.

Yesterday I received an email from Andrew and Maria Devlin, who run Southern Anchorage Retreat at Twelve Apostles. They are one of an alarming number of hospitality and tourism businesses that may simply go under. The Devlins are a partnership but, because of that, only one of them qualifies for JobKeeper. As Andrew explains: 'Our case is not unique. Our neighbour runs a partnership but only qualifies for one JobKeeper, and is also trying to pay loans and look after two children.' Andrew also sees inequity. His wife's hairdresser has three employees who normally earn $400 a week and are now receiving $750 a week. She also claims a 10K Victorian grant, JobKeeper and is working full time.

As Labor has repeatedly pointed out, the government's JobKeeper subsidies, while necessary, are unnuanced and badly targeted. The government must fix JobKeeper for these businesses, keep JobKeeper for some until November and continue support for regional areas unlikely to recover quickly, like the Great Ocean Road and the Otways. Thank you.