A daily email by free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs, providing the latest economic data and policy measures for journalists, commentators and IPA members.
A new nationally representative poll of 1,012 Australians released today, commissioned by free-market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs, with data collected by Dynata between 24-26 April, 2020, asked Australians to agree or disagree with the statement ‘Reducing the unemployment caused by the lockdown will be the most important part of recovery’:
- 81% agree
- 7% disagree
Daily IPA comment, attributable to Gideon Rozner, Director of Policy at the Institute of Public Affairs:
“These numbers are unambiguous. Four out of every five Australians want state and federal governments to be about jobs, jobs and jobs.”
“The only way to have a truly ‘COVID-safe’ economy is one in which every Australian who wants work can find it. No subsidy or welfare payment can match the dignity of work.”
“The soaring unemployment rate in Australia will turn into a terrible humanitarian crisis if state governments do not take decisive action to reopen the Australian economy now.”
Research prepared by IPA Research Fellows Kurt Wallace and Cian Hussey.
Latest Changes
Australia
- 6,989 confirmed cases and 98 deaths. There are 590 active cases and 6,301 recoveries. There are 51 cases in hospital and 18 of those are in intensive care.
- The Victorian government has recorded a budget deficit of $773 million in the year to March, down from a projected $618 million surplus. The impact of COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown is estimated by Treasury to result in a 14 per cent contraction in gross state product.
- The Victorian government has announced a $19.5 million funding boost for the state’s mental health system.
- National Cabinet today adopted a $48.1 million National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan:
- $29.5m will be invested in outreach to vulnerable communities including the elderly, people from non-Engish-speaking backgrounds, Indigenous Australians and people with pre-existing mental health conditions.
- $11.3m will go towards communication and outreach; $10.4m of that will be spent on a national campaign based around the slogan “It’s OK not to be OK.”
- $7.3m for “research and data into what’s happening in real time”.
- The AFL is aiming towards resuming an abridged 17-week season on June 11.
International
- In the US, 2.98 million initial unemployment claims were lodged in the past week, bringing the total to 36.6 million over the past eight weeks.
Labour force paid by the government
72.5 per cent of the labour force is either directly employed by Commonwealth and state governments or local councils, or is in receipt of the JobSeeker unemployment payment or the JobKeeper wage subsidy:
- Public sector: 2 million (15.1 per cent of labour force).
- JobSeeker: 1.6 million (12.1 per cent of labour force).
- JobKeeper: 6 million (45.3 per cent of labour force).
- Total: 9.6 million (72.5 per cent of labour force).
- Labour force: 13.24 million.
Schools
- New South Wales – Public and Catholic schools will return to face-to-face classes one day a week (year 12 students will return to as many classes as the school can provide). The Berejiklian government will monitor for two weeks before bringing classes back full-time. Independent schools are making their own decisions.
- Victoria – A staggered return to classrooms will begin on May 26, with prep, grades one and two, and years 11 and 12 returning. Students in years three to 10 will return on June 9.
- Queensland – From May 11 kindergarten, prep and years 1, 11 and 12 return. Remaining students planned to return from May 25.
- Western Australia – Face-to-face teaching in place for all students, but attendance is optional until May 18.
- South Australia – Schools reopened and students encouraged to attend.
- Tasmania – Home-learning still in place, but schools open for parents who are unable to supervise their children.
- Northern Territory – Returned to classrooms on April 20.
- ACT – Plan to return during term 2. Primary school children, and year 7 and 12 students will return first.
Plans to lift restrictions
NSW
Stage 1
- Begins on 15 May.
- Home gatherings limited to a maximum of five visitors from seperate households.
- Gathering limit increased to 10 people for outdoor activities.
- Weddings limited to 10 guests.
- Funerals allowed 20 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.
- Religious gatherings limited to 10 people.
Victoria
Stage 1
- Begins on 13 May.
- Home gatherings limited to a maximum of five visitors from seperate households.
- Gathering limit increased to 10 people for outdoor activities, and religious gatherings.
- Weddings will be limited to 10 people plus the couple and celebrant.
- Funerals allowed 20 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.
- Food and drink businesses remain limited to takeaway and home delivery.
Queensland
Stage 1
- Begins on 15 May.
- Home gatherings limited to a maximum of five visitors from separate households.
- Gatherings allowed for up to 10 people for most outdoor non-contact activities, libraries, weddings, religious services.
- Funerals up to 20 people indoors or 30 people outdoors.
- Recreational travel allowed within 150km of home in metro areas. Travel up to 500km from home is permitted in regional areas, and travelers can stay in a location (accommodation, family or friend) overnight.
- 10 person maximum for dining in at restaurants, cafes, pubs, licensed clubs, RSLs and hotels. 20 person limit for licensed venues in regional areas.
Stage 2
- Begins on 12 June.
- Gatherings of up to 20 people.
- Funerals allowed up to 50 people.
- Recreational travel limit raised to 250km. Camping and accommodation restrictions lifted, including caravan parks.
Stage 3
- Begins on 10 July
- Gatherings of up to 100 people.
South Australia
Stage 1
- Begins on 11 May.
- Gathering limit increased to 10 people.
- Funerals allowed up to 20 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.
Stage 2
- Begins from 8 June
- Gathering limit increased to 20 people.
Western Australia
Stage 1
- Stage 1 has been in place since 27 April.
Stage 2
- Begins on 18 May.
- Public gathering limit increased to 20 people.
- Weddings and funerals allowed up to 20 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.
- Some regional travel bans remain in place.
Stage 3
- Due to begin around four weeks after stage 2.
Tasmania
Stage 1
- Begins on 18 May.
- Gatherings increased to 10 people.
- Households capped at 5 visitors.
- 30 people allowed at outdoor funerals. Funerals increased to a 20 person limit on 11 May.
Stage 2
- Due to begin on 15 June.
- Gatherings increased to a 20 person limit.
- Review of household visitor restrictions.
- Funeral limit lifted to 50 people.
Stage 3
- Due to begin on 13 July.
- Gatherings maximum limit will be lifted to between 50 and 100 people.
- Aged care homes will be allowed five visitors and multiple visits.
Northern Territory
Stage 1
- Began on 1 May.
- Restrictions lifted on a host of indoor and outdoor recreational activities.
Stage 2
- Due to begin on 15 May.
- More restrictions lifted on businesses, including food services, gyms, and public libraries.
Stage 3
- Due to begin on 5 June.
ACT
Stage 1
- Began on 9 May.
- Gathering limit lifted to a maximum of 10 people for both indoor and outdoor gatherings. Includes religious ceremonies, outdoor boot camps, and real estate open houses and auctions.
- Home gatherings are limited to 10 people with the exception of where two households coming together is more than 10 people.
- Weddings allowed 10 guests.
- Funerals allowed 20 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.