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

What we think would be fair to Darcy is if the state government in Victoria started easing restrictions so that businesses in Victoria could employ people like Darcy and give people like Darcy a job. That is what we think would be fair. That is point No. 1.

You have asked if it would be fair. We want to see businesses around Australia start getting back into business so they can hire more Australians again, including people like Darcy. In relation to the JobKeeper program, which provides support to more than 5.5 million working Australians, the eligibility criteria are very clear. The program is designed to keep employees connected to their employer where that is possible. In relation to casuals, that relates to long-term casuals where there is an established relationship with the employer. In fact, it is based on the definition in the Fair Work Act. It is the Fair Work Act that describes a long-term casual as somebody who has been with the same employer for at least 12 months, and that is of course what we are using. It is not right to say that there is no support available to Darcy. I don't know the specific circumstances, but, for those who find themselves unfortunately out of a job in the current circumstances, the appropriate jobseeker support arrangements are in place, supplemented by the COVID supplement, which effectively doubles the jobseeker payment. That is of course the appropriate way for us to provide an enhanced social safety net in the circumstances. But it is now time—