Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing) Share this | Hansard source

Labor very much acknowledged the concerns around the dividends that were distributed by large firms that used the JobKeeper program. However, it is our view that this hiring credit is substantively different in both its intent and its design, particularly in relation to ensuring that jobs are additional. So we do not seek to support amendments that would prohibit the distribution of dividends when a firm has taken on eligible employees and sought to expand the level of employment within their company or small business by using this incentive. I think it's also important to note that dividends are not received just by super wealthy people but are received by low- and middle-income shareholders. I would hope that—and I would believe that they do—they support the companies that they have invested in also investing in the hiring of new workers. On that basis, we don't support the amendment.