This review was informed by Treasury’s regular engagement with the business community and general public on JobKeeper policy and program implementation, the departments and agencies across government that are involved in aspects of JobKeeper service delivery, academic experts and officials in other national ministries.

Australia currently faces two major crises: COVID-19 and climate change. This plan identifies 12 policy options which can create jobs fast, where they are needed and for people who need them most.

This report argues that Australia’s rapid successful suppression of the COVID-19 pandemic has come at huge cost. The benefits have been won, and now must be defended at a sustainable cost. It is impossible to envisage new infections being driven to zero at any supportable cost.

This fact sheet discusses how the key fiscal policy responses of the Australian federal and state governments have tried to address the impact of the pandemic on financial wellbeing.

This paper argues that attempting to eradicate the COVID-19 virus would impose unbearable economic and social costs and Australia must find low-cost ways to live with the virus, rather than remaining constrained while waiting for a vaccine that may take years to arrive, if ever.