More than 24,000 Geelong and Surf Coast residents could lose $3.6 million in coronavirus supplements, with the federal government yet to announce an extension beyond March 31.
On Wednesday The Guardian reported 14,327 Corio electorate residents would lose $2,149,107 in weekly payments if the government did not renew the supplement.
Another 9753 Corangamite residents stand to lose $1,462,902, the publication reported.
Corio MP and deputy opposition leader Richard Marles urged the federal government to extend the supplement.
“Taking this money out of the pockets of Geelong pensioners, carers, our youth and job-seekers, while we are still trying to recover, is nothing but cruel,” he said.
“This government doesn’t care that pensioners are deciding between food and medication.”
As of January 29, 2021, Geelong had 10575 residents on JobSeeker, 52.8 per cent higher than 6921 in March 2020, according to Department of Social Services data.
On the Bellarine Peninsula, 2237 residents were on JobSeeker, 74 per cent higher than 1282 in March 2020.
In total, greater Geelong recorded a 56 per cent increase JobSeeker recipients and a 46 per cent increase in Youth Allowance payments.
Those figures have decreased slightly since December 2020. JobSeeker and Youth Allowance recipients are only two categories among those eligible for the supplement.
The government is also yet to announce an extension to JobKeeper beyond March, with thousands of Geelong businesses reliant on the payment to pay employees.
The latest available Treasury figures indicate that 9158 Geelong businesses were receiving JobKeeper in September 2020.
“We know uncertainty is growing for workers and business, yet the government has failed to make clear what help will remain on the table after next month,” Mr Marles said.
“That is just not good enough. People deserve better.
“This government either doesn’t have a plan or doesn’t care and both are completely unacceptable.
“The government is making it pretty clear it’s not on the side of Australians as time runs out on JobLeeper.”
But Geelong-based federal senator Sarah Henderson said 734,000 jobs had been created over the past six months despite the impacts of Victoria’s second last year.
“Through JobKeeper and JobSeeker, we have allowed businesses to remain open and job seekers ready to take the next opportunity,” Ms Henderson said.
“This year, workforce challenges will be one of the biggest economic challenges we face as a nation.
“The Government’s $74 billion JobMaker Plan will be the key to answering that challenge. It is also why we committed almost $7 billion in skills funding alone since the onset of Covid-19.
“The Government has twice extended the Coronavirus Supplement at a total cost of more than $20 billion and to provide temporary, short-term financial assistance to help individuals and families and address the economic impacts of COVID-19.
“As the economy gets back on track, we are focused on striking a balance between temporary, enhanced support for unemployed Australians while at the same time as helping people to get back into the workforce through initiatives such as allowing people to earn more while on social security payments and our JobMaker hiring credits scheme.”
