Federal parliament passes virus packages
The Australian parliament has passed the coronavirus economic stimulus measures, designed to cushion the pandemic of the coronavirus.
A series of bills was approved on Monday night, with two packages worth $17.6 billion and $66 billion at the heart of the Morrison government’s response.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann confirmed the coronavirus supplement would be extended to full-time students.
The government will no longer need legislation to make changes to welfare settings after passing an amendment to the package, giving the social services minister unprecedented powers.
A range of other measures are included in the packages, including targeted support for the tourism and aviation sectors.
Labor supported the government in rushing legislation through parliament despite raising concerns about some of the measures.
The opposition argued the payments would not be in people’s pockets until late April while also criticizing the decision to allow people to access their allowance early.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed a scaled-down House of Representatives on Monday, invoking the spirit of the Diggers.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said most Australians only knew stories of war, hunger and financial strife from their grandparents.
Anthony said,the pandemic has seen tens of billions of dollars wiped off share prices in the past few weeks.
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Members and senators abides by new rules to ensure there are four square metres for each person, and no more than 100 people in a room at any one time.
The House of Representatives agreed on a new parliamentary sitting calendar, with politicians next due to return in August.
The next scheduled sitting was to have been in May for the federal budget, which has now been postponed until October 6.
