Federal MP for Flynn wants Australians off the dole and back at work

Several small business ownersin Emerald have complained about struggling to get employees for their takeawayshops stating that they believed it was easier for some of the unemployed tosurvive on Centrelink payments boosted by COVID 19 supplements than to seekemployment.
However, Mr O’ Dowd said thetemporary boost to Centrelink payments was necessary as a temporary measure.
“While we will continue toprovide the temporary, targeted support needed to assist Australians throughthis pandemic, our values will remain the same,” said Mr O’ Dowd.
“We want to get Australiansoff welfare and back into work.
“The whole focus on Jobkeeperand Jobseeker was to get the economy moving.”
He said it was important thesocial security system targeted the people most in need and was sustainableinto the future.
“Targeting and tapering thosetemporary measures was appropriate as we work to get to the other side of thispandemic,” said Mr O’ Dowd.
“The Government will continueto pay the Coronavirus Supplement to eligible income support recipients untilDecember 31.
“The amount of the supplementwill be adjusted to reflect the gradually improving economic and labour marketconditions,” the Flynn MP said.
Around 10,658 individuals inFlynn received the Coronavirus Supplement, which was added to JobSeeker toprovide additional support through this crisis.
The Government’s JobKeeperpayment had supported 3,400 businesses in Flynn, helping them through thepandemic and keeping them connected to their employees, Mr O’ Dowd said.
The Cashflow boost helpedaround 4,100 small and medium businesses providing payments to help businessesin Flynn to stay afloat, he added.
He said around 62,000taxpayers in Flynn would also benefit from tax relief of up to $2,745 thisyear, as a result of the Government’s tax relief measures which had alreadybeen approved by Parliament.
“To support new investmentand increase business cash flow, the Government is providing a temporary tax incentivethat will allow around 17,200 businesses in Flynn to write off the full valueof any eligible asset they purchase,” said Mr O’ Dowd.
“This will build on theGovernment’s successful Instant Asset Write Off measure announced earlier inthe year,” he said.
In regards to future plans tostrengthen the Central Highlands economy the Flynn MP said he believed a strongmanufacturing sector was crucial to creating and supporting new jobs.
“Increased spending oninfrastructure in the Central Highlands will increase jobs,” said Mr O’ Dowd.
Supporting the coal industry,investing money in the health and education systems, injecting money intodrought resilience programs and building dams were all important he explained.
“When you boost an economyyou will boost jobs.”