Opinion

As Australia bounces back, let's make sure we're not leaving people behind

By Andrew Leigh
May 18 2020 - 4:30am
The boosted JobSeeker rate has allowed those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic to get by day-to-day. Let's not forget about them once this is over. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos
The boosted JobSeeker rate has allowed those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic to get by day-to-day. Let's not forget about them once this is over. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Recently I heard from a Canberra woman who had changed employers last November. Her new employer told her she'd start off as a casual and then transition to permanency. When coronavirus hit, and the government announced its JobKeeper wage subsidy program, she hoped that it would apply to her. But as a casual who had been with her employer for less than year, she was excluded. As she wrote to me: "This will have a long and lasting financial impact on our family."

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Canberra news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.