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More than five million Australians will receive $250 directly into their bank account as the government continues its bid to kickstart the COVID-19 ravaged economy.
The payment is part of the fourth instalment of the federal government’s COVID-19 response package, totalling $1.3bn and divvied out to 5.1 million Australians.
The $250 payment will be automatically paid to individuals who received an eligible payment or held a concession card on February 26, 2021.
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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the four payments would continue Australia’s “encouraging” recovery by injecting $12bn into the economy.
“As we move towards a more optimistic and stronger recovery this year, this latest payment will provide further support to millions of low-income households recovering from the impacts of COVID-19,” he said.
Government Services Minister Stuart Robert said the “vast majority” of payments would arrive by mid-March.
“There’s nothing you need to do to receive this payment,” he said.
“The payment will appear in your Centrelink online account on myGov or the Centrelink app generally 48 hours before it goes into your bank account.”
Labor Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers supported the move but said the government was papering over cracks it had previously opened.
“While this will make a difference for pensioners, the government doesn’t deserve to be congratulated after freezing the pension last year,” he said.
“Labor supports this investment because what looks like a recovery on paper still feels like a recession for too many Australians.”
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