FEDERAL WA LABOR TEAM

Federal Labor’s representatives in Western Australia welcome the action taken by Premier Mark McGowan to support WA workers. 

We, alongside Premier McGowan call on the Federal Government to change the eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment so that Western Australian workers are eligible to receive it.

Following the recent lockdown in Victoria the Federal Government created the COVID-19 Disaster Payment for workers unable to earn income due to COVID-19 restrictions, where those restrictions last for more than 7 days and the worker did not have more than $10,000 in liquid assets. 

During the current NSW lockdowns the Federal Government has removed the liquid assets test from the eligibility requirements.

This clearly demonstrates the flexibility of the Federal Government in relation to this payment. 

The requirement that a restriction last for more than 7 days unnecessarily disadvantages workers in more prudent States where lockdowns have been for a shorter periods, even if followed by some lighter restrictions.

We call on the Federal Government to amend the eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment so that workers in Western Australia that were unable to work though the recent WA lockdown or restrictions are eligible to receive the payment. 

Western Australian workers need assistance now. They can’t wait for Scott Morrison’s next WA photo-op.

The State of Western Australia’s approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic has been successful in keeping our State Safe and Strong, and fairness requires that the Federal Government provide the necessary support workers deserve.

Scott Morrison had two jobs this year: a speedy effective rollout of the vaccine and quarantine. He has monumentally failed both.