Government grilled over Jobkeeper's lack of transparency

The Federal Government is resisting pressure to actively recover JobKeeper payments from profitable companies, after it was revealed thousands of businesses doubled or tripled their earnings while on the wage subsidy scheme. The Opposition wants businesses to repay taxpayers' money, while others are calling for them to be publicly revealed.

The Australian Taxation Office at Lang Street in Sydney. Source: AAP

Labor M-P Andrew Leigh used question time in parliament to ask Treasurer Josh Frydenberg about the government's resistance to taking back JobKeeper payments from profitable companies.

After a public outcry, retailer Harvey Norman has repaid six of the $22 million it was paid under Jobkeeper while recording booming sales.

The latest independent data reveals that 20,000 businesses managed to triple their turnover, while receiving a total of $370 million in Jobkeeper subsidies.

Around 15,000 companies doubled their earnings while receiving $320 million in JobKeeper payments.

Independent Senator Rex Patrick says no measures were put in place to keep these businesses accountable.

But the government is chasing thousands of ordinary Australians, who were wrongly put on the scheme.

 

Download the free SBS Radio app to listen live and on-demand or explore podcasts.

https://podfollow.com/sbs-japanese

Visit our Facebook for more Japanese stories and images.

https://podfollow.com/sbs-japanese