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News today that the Federal Government made a $60 billion budgeting mistake with the JobKeeper program is embarrassing but provides an opportunity for those currently excluded workers to finally get some support.

Labor Leader, Rebecca White MP, has again called on the Federal Government to expand the JobKeeper program to casuals, local government workers and visa worker who aren’t currently eligible for support from the program.

“The Federal Treasurer has always had the power to extend eligibility for the JobKeeper program to casuals, local government workers and visa workers and now he can do the right thing and support those workers without having an impact on the program’s budget,” Ms White said.

“Given the Government is well below the projected budget for expenditure on this program it also means it can be extended so that tourism, hospitality and other hard hit businesses can be supported beyond September.

“The best way to avoid further economic contraction and job losses is to expand and extend the JobKeeper program and now the Government has no excuse not to.

“Premier Peter Gutwein should stand up for Tasmanian workers and businesses and demand that the JobKeeper program be expanded and extended to help people re-engage with work and make sure the Tasmanian economy doesn’t decline further in September when the payments stop.”

Rebecca White MP

Labor Leader