Peter Gutwein must find his voice at today's National Cabinet meeting and argue for an extension to the JobKeeper program.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said after the Premier failed to stand up for the Early Childhood Education Sector that had JobKeeper removed early, he must do better today and demand the payment be extended beyond September to support Tasmania's economy and workers hardest hit by the coronavirus.
"Peter Gutwein has given a commitment to fight to extend JobKeeper but he failed to say one word in support of the Early Childhood Education Sector when the payment was withdrawn early, and time after time he has returned from National Cabinet with no update," Ms White said.
"Today is his chance to stand up for Tasmanian workers doing it tough.
"Thousands of Tasmanians would have faced unemployment without JobKeeper and if the program isn't extended, there is a real risk of further economic contraction and more job losses.
"Significantly, just over 17% of direct and indirect employment in Tasmania is reliant on tourism.
"Now, with the state's borders shut and no indication of when they might reopen, those jobs are in limbo and affected workers will need ongoing support.
"Peter Gutwein must declare whether he remains committed to fighting for an extension of JobKeeper because his silence on the early withdrawal of the payment from the Early Childhood Education Sector is not a good sign for thousands of Tasmanian workers."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
