Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Today, the member for Leichhardt called for Mr Morrison to extend JobKeeper, saying, 'There is a very strong argument, and the figures that were released today show you how important it is, that we continue to have this support within our community.' Will Mr Morrison give this support to communities in Far North Queensland facing Australia's first recession in 29 years?

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

I thank Senator Green for that question. Our government has made responsible decisions right from the outset of this crisis. We have made decisions to save lives and to save livelihoods, and we will continue to make those decisions; we will continue to make responsible decisions moving forward. The Senate would be well aware of the Treasury review that has been well and truly publicly canvassed. Once the findings and recommendations of that review are received, the government will be making further responsible decisions. I can reassure the people of North Queensland that our government is very, very focused on their best interests. Of course, the most important thing the people of North Queensland would like to see right now is the removal of the state border restrictions so that the planes can start flying again and so that tourists can go to North Queensland again. If you were interested in the best interests of the people of North Queensland, you would be calling on Premier Palaszczuk to remove the state border restrictions.

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Now on my left. I'll call Senator Green when there's silence.

Senator Watt interjecting—

When there's silence I'll call your colleague, Senator Watt.

Senator Wong interjecting—

Senator Wong!

Senator Colbeck interjecting—

Senator Colbeck!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! We are wasting the time of non-government senators, with constant interjections. Senator Green, a supplementary question?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A survey of 2,300 Australian company directors found that 81 per cent would prefer to see a cautious phasing out of stimulus policies, such as JobKeeper, rather than a rapid wind-down. Why is the government refusing to give Australian businesses confidence that JobKeeper will continue past September where needed?

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

Businesses across Australia can have confidence that our government will continue to make responsible decisions to save lives, to minimise the risk of a second wave of infections and to also ensure that we can have the strongest possible economic recovery on the other side. As the OECD has clearly outlined in its report it released overnight, Australia is leading the developed world when it comes to the economic recovery in the context of this coronavirus crisis. We'll continue to make the decisions that are required, and businesses around Australia overwhelmingly know that.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green, a final supplementary question?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The OECD, the RBA Governor, 2,300 company directors and the government's own backbench are calling for the JobKeeper program to be extended beyond September. How many Australians will lose their jobs because of Mr Morrison's stubborn insistence that JobKeeper snaps back in September?

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

The OECD has said that Australia is leading the developed world when it comes to economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The OECD has also predicted a bounce back in economic growth in Australia in 2021. The OECD has also outlined that the comparative position of the Australian economy is materially better than the position of economies in many other parts of the world. We'll continue to make the decisions that are required, including decisions to minimise the risk of a second wave of infections, because it is so important to protect people's health and it is also so important to protect our economy and to protect jobs.

I say it again: if Senator Green is committed to the best interests of the people of Queensland, she will join the coalition in calling on Premier Palaszczuk to remove the state border restrictions in Queensland so that people from the great state of New South Wales can go on holidays in North Queensland and can spend money in North Queensland.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left and my right! Senator Cormann, on a point of order?

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

On a point of order, Mr President: interjections are always disorderly, but if interjections are made then they should at least be directly relevant. I don't know how South Australia would be directly relevant to a question about Queensland.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That wasn't a point of order. The interjections were coming from the two main sides of the chamber and not from the far end. I call on those on my left and right.