As 2020 draws to a close, Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan says the Government’s health and economic response to the COVID-19 crisis has placed our nation in a better position than most other countries in the world.  

There is a growing sense of optimism, with consumer confidence up 13 out of the last 14 weeks and Australians are getting back to work with 650,000 jobs created nationally in the last five months. 

 “There are signs the nation’s economy is starting to recover and many local businesses, particularly those in the tourism and hospitality sector, are reporting great trading results,” he said. 

JobKeeper, Jobseeker Coronavirus Supplement, the Cash Flow Boost, two $750 payments to millions of pensioners and others on income support, have all helped cushion the blow and build the bridge to the other side of this crisis. 

 “I was also pleased to secure additional support for travel agents who are doing it tough with the international borders still closed. 

“For those people who, because of circumstances outside of their control, are now on JobSeeker, I welcome the Government in its final sitting week of Parliament extending the Coronavirus Supplement of $150 per fortnight until 31 March. 

“I will continue to call for this increase of $75 per week on the old Newstart rate to continue past the end of March as I know some residents in Cowper need the extra support.” 

Households and businesses also benefited from tax relief, with Stage Two of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s Personal Income Tax Plan brought forward by two years and the company tax rate for small and family businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million reduced from 27.5 per cent to 26 per cent. 

In the final parliamentary session for the year, the Morrison-McCormack Government passed 46 Bills through the Parliament supporting the economic recovery to continue into 2021.  

For more information on this legislative agenda go here.