CANBERRA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Finance Minister has flagged a review of the government's wage subsidy scheme.
Mathias Cormann told The Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio on Wednesday that the 130 billion Australian dollar (83.9 billion U.S. dollar) JobKeeper program will be reviewed "halfway through in June".
It comes amid speculation that the government is considering winding the scheme back earlier than planned to save money.
Currently the scheme, which entitles eligible workers who have had their work status affected by the COVID-19 to fortnightly payments of 1500 AUD (970.6 USD), is scheduled to run until September.
However, with coronavirus restrictions being eased earlier than expected across the country, some members of the government have called for early cuts, according to local media.
"As we flagged from the outset, halfway through, in June, there will be a review. Treasury will make some findings and recommendations," Cormann said on Wednesday.
"I am not in a positon to pre-empt what if anything, they might suggest."
"We did need to provide the certainty to business that we would be providing this sort of support over a six-month period in order to give them confidence to hold onto their employees.
Up to 850,000 Australians are expected to return to work under the government's three-stage plan to ease restrictions by July.
Australia's Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday has declared that the nation is "at war" with the COVID-19 and said there will be "a significant increase" in government debt.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday dismissed speculation that JobKeeper will be cut early.
"We're six weeks into a six month program and at this stage, the uncertainties about the global economy, let alone our own economy, are still very much there," he said.
"What people know is there are six months of an economic lifeline to the value of 130 billion AUD and that says to Australians that we will be there for you and we will be there for you to get Australians back into work." Enditem
