We're being given a one-off payment by the government
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382020)
Rockingham, Australia
March 12, 2020 9:09am CST
Australia’s government is worried about the country falling into a recession because of the impact the coronavirus is having on the economy. In a bid to stave off such an event, a $17.6 billion economic stimulus package is being introduced.
Welfare recipients will get a one-off lump sum of $750 and small businesses will be given tax breaks. Welfare recipients include pensioners (such as Vin and I), carers, veterans, families, young people and jobseekers. These will all get $750 from March 31. We are being encouraged to spend it ‘in ways which would benefit the economy’.
In addition, nearly 700,000 small and medium businesses will receive help to pay wages or hire extra staff. Money will also be given to help employers keep apprentices in work.
I don’t know what we’ll do with our handout but we might dine out once or twice. We’ve already bought our new glasses and we’re awaiting delivery of a robotic vacuum cleaner so we’ve already spent our money. We must have known something ahead of time, don’t you think?
The photo is of a ring-neck parrot and two pied butcher birds which came to our birdbath a day or two ago. I’m always interested to see which birds are happy to be relatively close to each other.
27 people like this
26 responses
@porwest (112840)
• United States
12 Mar 20
I am ALWAYS ready and willing to get one of these, even though historically they generally do not work. BUT, it's not like it's not my money anyway, so I will gladly accept it.
Trump is considering similar stimulus measures here such as calling on a payroll tax moratorium for the remainder of the year. Basically our payroll tax is Medicare and Social Security taxes, so we'd still have federal and state income taxes deducted. But I'll take what the government is willing to give back of my own money.
5 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Mar 20
I agree those stimulus checks do not work as anticipated. But I gladly accept any government check as it is but a small reimbursement of money "stolen" from us in the first place.
5 people like this
@JudyEv (382020)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Mar 20
@porwest @JohnRoberts I have no idea if they'll work or not but I don't mind taking the money. We paid taxes long enough so getting a bit back is good in my book.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91068)
• United States
12 Mar 20
I really hope we don't fall into a recession but it looks like it's heading that way. The Corona Virus is going to have a domino effect aside from the virus itself. I'm sure the economy will rebound but not for awhile.
Enjoy your lump sum and hope it helps the economy.
I'm interested in your robotic vacuum and if it works. Keep me posted
4 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91068)
• United States
12 Mar 20
@DianneN do you have the roomba?
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Mar 20
The long economic affect will probably be worse than the virus itself.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208852)
• United States
12 Mar 20
That's nice. I wish our government would do something like that. I would have to think how I would spend it though. It would probably go to the dental work I need done.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Mar 20
You echo the problem with such a package. You would spend it on dental work. They want you to "stimulate" the economy by shopping at small businesses and going to a movie. Things like that.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
12 Mar 20
Your government is very thoughtful! I am sure that it will help the citizens a lot.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
13 Mar 20
@JudyEv What do you mean hard to manage? Don't they know what to do with the money? I have a solution: they should send it to me
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382020)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 20
@rappeter13 Some were/are finding it hard to manage before they got the money. Some are losing their jobs, etc, etc.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Mar 20
Our government is debating a package as well to not only help fight the virus, but to also help keep the economy from taking a nose dive. I just hope our leaders, who spend all of their time bickering, can put their differences aside and come together for the good of the people.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Mar 20
@JudyEv How bad is the virus in Australia? Besides the obvious news we hear about the situation in our own country, most of the other news we get is about places like Italy, Iran, China, Japan and South Korea, where they have been hit hard by the virus.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382020)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 20
@moffittjc Our state has had double the number of people testing positive but that only means the number has gone from 3 to 6 but of course saying it's doubled makes it sounds much more sensational. Several Festivals and big gatherings have been cancelled and there is talk of schools closing and I think people are starting to panic buy but it's not too bad here yet.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
12 Mar 20
@JohnRoberts I don’t remember that at all.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382020)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Mar 20
@JohnRoberts I can understand that happening. When things are so unsure and money so tight, I can see some people just hanging on to the money in case things get worse.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Mar 20
Hard to say if a package will work. Remember we got one in the last crisis and a major complaint were people tucked that check into their savings for a rainy day or used it to pay rent and it didn't really stimulate business as anticipated. For sure, small businesses need to get something to survive and keep their doors open.
3 people like this
@Mavic123456 (21891)
• Thailand
12 Mar 20
At least you will get something In Asian countries I don’t know how we can survive.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21891)
• Thailand
13 Mar 20
@JudyEv yes, now there is lockdown in some areas in the Philippines I don’t know what will happen to the families who did not save money.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382020)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 20
@Mavic123456 Many people nowadays never have any money saved for 'a rainy day' as they used to say.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222314)
• United States
12 Mar 20
That's a great picture. We don't have these birds here in Ohio. Interesting to hear what your country is doing. Some of this is being done by Trump and our government.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222314)
• United States
13 Mar 20
@JudyEv Yes, it will definitely hit every spot in the world before it's done. Stay safe and healthy.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
12 Mar 20
that truly is a government to care!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
13 Mar 20
@JudyEv it is good they are trying to help
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56207)
• Canada
13 Mar 20
That is smart of your government to do.
Our grade and high schools will be closed for 3 weeks and I am sure that the government will offer the parents a bit of help if they have to stay home to look after their children. I doubt anyone else will receive anything. I'm fine with that provided those parents do stay home with their children and are not out earning a wage and leaving their children unattended.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
20 Mar 20
thats generous and a very good idea... from a government...
there is some talks of tax breaks for businesses and if people get into trouble with their mortgage payment... in the uk but not much else...
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97990)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Mar 20
Love those birds. Great shot. I am glad you'll be getting money from the government/ Guess what I just read? Trudeau's wife tested positive for the virus. SIGH
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
13 Mar 20
That is awesome that you all will get help.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382020)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 20
We were a bit surprised but also very happy about it.
