6 April 2020
Life Without Barriers has welcomed recent federal government announcements of a reduced threshold for charities to access JobKeeper allowance for their employees, and for NDIS participants to get priority delivery for groceries and essentials.
On Sunday the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced that charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission will be eligible for the JobKeeper Payment if they have a turnover decline of 15 per cent or more. This will apply to all registered charities, including those with a turnover of more than $1 billion, in recognition that the sector is expected to have significant demand for its services.
Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said, “We are so pleased that the Treasurer has listened to the concerns of our sector and acted to widen the eligibility for the JobKeeper allowance so that more charity workers can keep their jobs.
“While we appreciate there will be more details to come, we understand that this will provide our sector with certainty that we can access this support and keep our valued staff on in cases where our revenue drops. This is welcome news given that charity workers will continue to need support given the essential support they provide for vulnerable members of our community.”
Ms Robbs also welcomed NDIS Minister Stuart Robert’s announcement of priority home delivery of groceries for NDIS participants.
Minister Robert announced on Sunday that people with an NDIS plan will be able to do their grocery shopping online and know that they will have priority in getting items delivered to their home.
Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said, “We thank Minister Robert for
hearing the concerns of people with disability and securing this agreement with
major supermarkets for them to be able to have access to food and other
essential items.”
“This will save people who have health vulnerabilities or accessibility issues from going outside to get their groceries, in what can be a stressful environment with shortages of basic items on shelves.
“We are pleased that the government continues to listen to our sector and adjust their response to the covid-19 pandemic as necessary.”
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