[VIDEO] Channel 7 News

“The job is done according to the federal government, which is about to turn the tap off the biggest wage bailout in Australia’s history, 10s of 1000s of Victorians will face unemployment heartache when Job Keeper officially ends tonight, but there is expert advice to help.” – watch the video or read the transcription below for the full report

Peter Mitchell – Channel 7

The job is done according to the federal government, which is about to turn the tap off the biggest wage bailout in Australia’s history, 10s of 1000s of Victorians will face unemployment heartache when Job Keeper officially ends tonight, but there is expert advice to help.

Nick McCallum – Channel 7

Touring the breast cancer network, a recipient of Job Keeper, the treasurer conceded its end will have some dire consequences.

Josh Frydenberg – Federal Treasurer

There’s no doubt that there will be some businesses that will continue to do it tough.

Nick McCallum 

Responding to these daunting images almost a year ago, the treasurer launched Job Keeper.

Josh Frydenberg 

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

Nick McCallum 

A $90 billion wage subsidy designed to bankroll business, help save the economy and kickstart the pandemic recovery. But tonight, the tap turns off.

Bill Lang – Small Business Australia

So the reality is we’re going to see 10s of 1000s of small businesses close quite possibly for good.

Nick McCallum 

Almost 400,000 Victorian’s still receive Job Keeper payments among them. travel agent Robyn Davies.

Robyn Davies – Travel Agent

But now that Job Keeper is finished, I can’t pay the staff. So for us, it’s a catastrophe. People will sell their houses, they will cash in their superannuation.

Nick McCallum 

It’s expected 150,000 jobs will go nationwide 40,000 alone in our CBD. Residence of Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park to be hit hardest, so many now face unemployment, but you can fight back

Zana Bytheway – Job Watch Executive Director

If an employer requests that you do reduce your hours, you don’t have to agree to that. You also may have a claim for an unfair dismissal, which can be made at the Fair Work Commission.

Nick McCallum  

For small businesses help is available, but it’s limited.

Bill Lang 

There is a financial counselling available as a national debt helpline to call up but there is no easy answer.

Nick McCallum 

Even though Melbourne’s famous theatre scene is now reopening and our cafes are flourishing. Very soon 1.3 million Aussies will be looking for work. But there is some good news.

Callam Pickering – Indeed.com Economist

Job postings in Australia are 33% above their pre pandemic level, there has never been as many jobs available online as there is right now.

Nick McCallum 

For workers like so many businesses that COVID key word is pivot.

Zana Bytheway 

It may not be the work that you were doing previously. So we will be a very competitive market. Put your best foot forward. Be confident.

Callam Pickering 

There are a lot of opportunities out there. So don’t be afraid to look for a new one.

Nick McCallum 

But for some industries, the outlook remains bleak.

Robyn Davies 

I know that Job Keeper wasn’t designed to stay forever. But neither were the international borders meant to stay closed forever.

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