Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate and all of those senators who have contributed to this debate. The Economic Recovery Package (JobMaker Hiring Credit) Amendment Bill 2020 extends the prescribed period for the coronavirus payment framework from 28 March 2021 to 6 October 2022 to enable the JobMaker hiring credit. This will allow the creation of JobMaker hiring credit rules.

The JobMaker hiring credit will help young people access job opportunities as the economy recovers. This will reduce the risk of young jobseekers becoming unemployed in the long term and reliant on welfare. Supporting young people to get into work will improve their economic, health and social outcomes. The JobMaker hiring credit is a key part of the government's economic response to coronavirus as it will support Australia's economic recovery. It's designed in recognition of the fact that young people are often the earliest victims of unemployment in an economic downturn and often the victims impacted the longest by unemployment.

The government thanks the Senate Economics Legislation Committee for their inquiry report and recommendations on this legislation. The government acknowledges senators' contributions and will endeavour to continue to publish any accompanying rules if required for legislation as soon as practicable. I also note the committee recommended that the bill be passed and consider this to be a response to the report. I commend this bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.