This is my latest update to provide you with information about the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our community.
A new combined support package from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments has been announced to help support households during this lockdown.
Support for Employees
Workers who have lost 20 hours or more of work a week will be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment of $600.
The payment will be $375 if you have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours of work a week.
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment will also be available to those outside Commonwealth declared hotspots from 18 July 2021 in NSW that meet the criteria for the payment.
More information including eligibility criteria will be added to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment page at:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment
Support for tenants and landlords
The NSW Government has also announced new support measures for renters and landlords impacted by this lockdown.
Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium. This means that tenants who can’t pay their rent in full because they are impacted by the lockdown can’t be evicted between now and 11 September 2021.
Residential landlords who decrease rent for impacted tenants will also be able to apply for a grant of up to $1,500 or land tax reductions depending on their circumstances.
The land tax relief will be equal to the value of rent reductions provided by landlords to financially distressed tenants, up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability.
More information about the new short term moratorium on evictions will be added to the NSW Fair Trading page at:
The new support comes as the NSW Government has also announced that the current lockdown in Greater Sydney will now be extended for at least another two weeks until 11:59pm on Friday, 30 July 2021.
Restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in place until this time.
The lockdown extension means that online learning for students will also continue for an additional two weeks.
My staff and I are here to help you. Please call my office on 9349 6007, email matt.thistlethwaite.mp@aph.gov.au or reach me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
