CHIA participated with the following organisations to write to the Prime Minister and NSW Premier in support of a number of essential initiatives aimed at boosting social and affordable housing in the post Covid-19 recovery phase. These organisations include: Australian Institute of Architects, the Centre for Social Impact, the Community Housing Industry Association, the Community
COVID-19 Update 3rd April National Cabinet meets today. Speculation that: States and Territories finalised their commercial rent support packages last night Victoria will push for commercial landlords to be part of JobKeeper scheme; NSW to focus on waiving or deferring land tax for landlords offering savings to tenants and a moratorium on rent increases (SMH)
COVID-19 update 2nd April Fair Work Commission has proposed changes during pandemic: a new temporary workplace right giving workers, including casuals, access to unpaid pandemic leave if they enter self-isolation allowing agreement to take twice the amount of accrued annual leave at half-pay would operate until June 30 Commercial tenants to be offered part deferral/part
1st April Exporters rescue package to be announced today. $110m for organising freight; $50m for Export Markets Development Grants programme; $10m in commercial fishing fees waived. Michael Byrne (ex-Toll) has been made International Freight Co-ordinator General. Some emerging criticisms of wage subsidy plan: the required declines in turnover how workforces are structured some workers on
31 March 2020 Govt’s wage subsidy plan gets broad support – business groups, ACTU and ALP. 60,000 businesses have registered for wage subsidy overnight Virgin Australia asks for $1.4b govt loan. Mathias Cormann, without responding directly, says that the government wants two airlines when we come out of crisis. (Eight regional airlines asked for bailouts
30 March 2020 Wage subsidy will be announced later today, will use existing tax and transfer system, legal obligation to keep employees Speculation that wage subsidy: $1500/fortnight, capped at middle income workers concern that a UK 80 per cent system would be inequitable, being referred to as ‘job keeper allowance’. likely to target full time
27 March 2020 National Cabinet to meet (virtually) this morning Discuss tighter measures, but NSW says looking at infection rates before any shutdown. Rent still a major issue – it is who pays for it the ‘hibernation’ concept gaining currency – businesses protected to get them through speculation around underwriting commercial rents, rates and utility
PM has hook-up with G20 leaders today, wants to stress keeping supply chains open National Cabinet last night: agreed on an expansion of testing for frontline staff (to all healthcare workers) agreed to freeing up hospital beds by cancelling all elective surgery. next National Cabinet on Friday State governments are starting to act more individually
25 March 2020 The last press release on the latest round of measures from the PM’s office on 24/03/2020 can be viewed here. In summary: National Cabinet will meet again tonight Rent is a key topic, with concerns about business and individuals being evicted for non-payment United Workers Union has done a deal with the
24 March 2020 Contradictory messages from overseas overnight In UK, PM Johnson has announced radical isolation, no going outside your house unless absolutely necessary. In US, President Trump is asking whether ‘the cure is worse than the disease’. Last night (23 March) the second stimulus package passed, the Australian government also set aside an extra