Essential Report
Continuation of short-term measures
Q. The Federal Government has introduced some short-term measures to help people financially deal with the Covid-19 outbreak. For each of the following, how long do you think do you think the schemes should continue?
Should end as soon as possible | Should end at current set date | Should continue after the current end date | Unsure | |
Providing free childcare for children in early childhood education
(Due to end 28th June 2020) |
14% | 33% | 36% | 17% |
Increase to JobSeeker payments to $1,115 per fortnight
(Due to end 24th September 2020) |
21% | 28% | 36% | 15% |
Provision of JobKeeper wage subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight to eligible employers for each eligible worker
(Due to end 24th September 2020) |
17% | 36% | 32% | 14% |
TOTAL: Should continue after the current end date | Gender | Age Group | ||||
Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |
Providing free childcare for children in early childhood education | 36% | 39% | 33% | 43% | 34% | 31% |
Increase to JobSeeker payments to $1,115 per fortnight | 36% | 39% | 33% | 42% | 36% | 30% |
Provision of JobKeeper wage subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight to eligible employers for each eligible worker | 32% | 35% | 30% | 38% | 32% | 27% |
Base (n) | 1,087 | 534 | 553 | 341 | 364 | 382 |
- One-third of participants say that providing feed childcare, and increasing JobSeeker payments should continue after the current end date (both 36%).
- 18-34 year olds are most likely to say any of the short-term measures should continue after the current end date, whereas 55+ year olds are least likely to support continuing these measures.
- Men are more likely to support continuing the increased JobSeeker payments after 24th September 2020 (39%) than women (33%).

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- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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