Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has flagged the possibility of extending income support for Australians impacted by coronavirus beyond the September end date as Victoria commences it’s six-week period of restrictions.

Speaking with Gareth Parker on Mornings, Mr Frydenberg said there would be ‘another phase’ of income support which will be unveiled in coming weeks and that the government would ‘very much be there’ for those people who need it.

The Morrison Government has been under pressure to release plans for the JobKeeper program as well as the $550-a-fortnight coronavirus supplement paid to people on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and other welfare programs. Both programs are due to expire in September. 

Victoria has experienced a concerning increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks and Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are now in their first days of a six-week lockdown. Mr Frydenberg said Victorians were hurting and there was now a need to look beyond September for income support because there is still a long way to go in terms of economic recovery.

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