JobKeeper and JobSeeker supplement extended

JobKeeper has been extended until 28 March 2021 with some changes. From 28 September, businesses will need to prove they’re eligible for the scheme using actual rather than projected GST turnover. 

Payments will be reduced in two stages:

• From 28 September: Payments will be reduced from $1,500 to $1,200 for employees and eligible business participants working more than 20 hours per week and $750 for those working less than 20 hours;

• From 4th January:  Payments will be further reduced to $1,000 and $650 per week. You can find more info on the changes here.

For those on JobSeeker, the Government has announced that the coronavirus supplement will be extended from 25 September to 31 December at the reduced rate of $250 per fortnight (down from $550). Also from 25 September 2020, means testing will be reintroduced. This includes asset testing for all payments.  But on the positive side, the income free area (the amount you can earn and still get the maximum payment) will be increased to $300 per fortnight.

These changes will reduce support for many people  – you can find more info here.

If you're worried about what these changes will mean for you, you can contact my office. 

Stay COVID safe

Parramatta has seen rising numbers of COVID cases in the past fortnight, and it’s essential that we all follow the health advice and practise good hygiene and social distancing to keep these numbers down. COVID-19 Community Resources for Western Sydney brings together useful information about health and wellbeing for people across the community, including translated resources.

NSW Health is currently advising anyone who visited the following locations in the Parramatta area at the specified times to get tested immediately and self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days from their visit:

HARRIS PARK: Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral 

• 5:30pm Mass on 15 July

• 6:00pm Mass on 16 July

• 1:30pm Funeral or 6:00pm Mass on 17 July 

MERRYLANDS: Anytime Fitness, 8:30-10:30pm on 14 July

Anyone who visited these locations should monitor for symptoms and get tested if they develop:

HARRIS PARK: anyone in the Harris Park area

PARRAMATTA: Milky Lane, 2:00-3:00pm on Saturday 11 July

PARRAMATTA: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Mass on 19 July 

You can find an up-to-date list of locations visited by COVID-19 cases including instructions for monitoring symptoms, self-isolating and testing here.

Parramatta by Foot

Local artists have created four temporary footpath artworks for you to enjoy while exploring ‘Parramatta by Foot’.

You can see the artworks at Wentworth Point Community Centre, Harris Park shops, Bridge Street near Granville station and the Parramatta River bike path near Eric Primrose Reserve until 20 September. Visit the website for more info.

If you would like to recommend my bulletins to others, please direct them here so they can sign up. You can also follow this link to subscribe to my regular bulletins for local small businesses and not for profits, charities and volunteers.  

Julie Owens MP
Federal Member for Parramatta