Michael is joined by Chris Richardson, Deloitte Access Economics Partner, who writes ‘the COVID-19 crisis had exposed the inadequacy and unfairness of the previous JobSeeker rate. 

 

He describes it as Australia's "weakest link" and praises the government's rapid move to double the payment saying a permanently increased rate would not only help the most vulnerable but also provide effective economic stimulus, especially in the poorest regions.

 

"Our safety net was not where it needed to be for the massive heavy lifting and helping Australian society through this crisis," he said.

 

"JobSeeker always had a vital role to play as the vital safety net. If everything else fails, it's there. If you want to give people confidence in this crisis – and that's what the Reserve Bank keeps talking about – then I wouldn't drop immediately from the doubling to whatever it ends up being," Mr Richardson warns.