Council supports extending JobKeeper scheme

Council has recommended that the Federal Government extend the JobKeeper payment scheme by six months.

Cairns’ distance from metropolitan centres,its reliance on tourism and aviation, and the traditional drop in economic activity over the annual wet season, means the survival phase of city’s economic recovery will take longer than for other parts of the country.

An extension of the JobKeeper payment has been identified as crucial to helping Cairns businesses survive this extended crisis.

In a submission made to Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Minister for Industrial Relations Christian Porter, Council has recommended the scheme be extended for the Cairns region from 27 September 2020 to 31 Match 2021.

Council also recommended that more regular reporting and tightened eligibility requirements be applied to ensure the scheme targets those employers/employees in greatest need of support.

Council was joined in making the submission by Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Advance Cairns, Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, Regional Development Australia Tropical North Inc, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, and Cairns Airport.