The government’s planned stimulus package has passed parliament. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said both sides of the house were determined, decisive and united in passing the package.
Frydenberg said Australia now faces an enemy that is under no flag and that government is united in defeating the enemy.
“It’s an enemy that we cannot see. But we know that we must deploy every weapon in our arsenal to defeat it,” Frdyenberg said.
The government confirmed waiting periods for welfare payments have been waived, with people gaining access to support once they enter the system. An estimated six and a half million people will also be able to get the $750 cash payment from March 31.
Sole traders and casual workers whose income has fallen below $1000 a fortnight will be able to get jobseeker payments of up to $1100 a fortnight.
The announcement came as massive queues formed outside Centrelink offices around the country as many of the nation’s businesses ground to a halt at midday March 22 under new restrictions.
While the treasurer urged people to lodge their applications online, the mygov website crashed and was unavailable for most of the day.
The site is back up today for people to begin their applications.
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