“Only those who were unemployed, eligible for some welfare payments, or had their hours or sole trade income reduced by 20 per cent were eligible.”…Throughout 2020 the Australian government allowed Covid emergency pension withdrawals for those who qualified. The program ended on Dec. 31, 2020:
11/28/21, “This week in the New Normal #13," Off Guardian
Among comments: An Australian finds he’s blocked from accessing pension savings he hoped to use for living expenses:
“Gezzah Potts Nov 29, 2021 2:24 PM Reply to Tim Drayton
…Yes, the screws are definitely being tightened, and pretty much all of us refuseniks are in the same boat. Thankfully, here in Melbourne, for now, the unvaccinated are still allowed to go into supermarkets without a vaccine passport (app) tho how much longer that lasts, I don’t know? However we are banned from working here….
Not sure how long I’ll have a roof over my head now as I found out today that the last financial card I thought I had left up my sleeve is a complete dud. Denied access to a pension fund that would have kept me afloat another year or so. A lot of people have already lost their homes because of this bullshit scam….
I’ve also tried to support small businesses here, and unlike a lot of places, nearly all of them actually look the other way when I walk in – no QR code, no mask, and they don’t even blink. Have only had a person at one bakery, and two bank security guards all year ask me to put on a mask and scan the QR code. Which I refused.
But they are ramping things up now, and the Victorian Govt’s shocking pandemic legislation is due to be debated this week.
Up to 2 years jail and a $45600 fine for disobeying covid directives. Right when Omicron has come on the scene.”…
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Added: “Only those who were unemployed, eligible for some welfare payments, or had their hours or sole trade income reduced by 20 per cent were eligible.”…Throughout 2020 the Australian government allowed Covid emergency pension withdrawals for those who qualified. The program ended on Dec. 31, 2020:
12/29/2020, “Super release slows but almost 3 million Australians have sucked billions from retirement savings," Australia Broadcasting, S. Borys, J. Snape
“The controversial coronavirus measure allowing Australians affected by the pandemic to tap into their retirement savings will close from New Year’s Day [Jan. 1, 2021].
Key points:
*The scheme closes on December 31 [2020]
But not before nearly 3 million people have taken a total of $36 billion out of their super accounts, according to figures provided by the ATO.
Treasury had initially estimated $29.5 billion would be accessed but then extended the scheme until the end of the year, in light of Victoria’s second coronavirus lockdown.
By the end of June [2020], just over $20 billion had already been withdrawn and in July, Treasury estimated $42 billion would be accessed under the scheme.
The final total is set to come in below that figure, indicating use of the scheme slowed in the second half of the year.
The ABC reported in September [2020] that more than a quarter of people who accessed superannuation under the early release scheme made their decision within a day.
Critics argue those withdrawing their money now to meet short-term financial needs sacrifice long-term compound interest on their superannuation balance that may contribute to a more comfortable retirement.
Eligibility concerns
Soon after the scheme’s introduction in April [2020], the Federal Police began investigating attempts to defraud the scheme.
The ATO confirmed no penalties have been imposed to date.
Only those who were unemployed, eligible for some welfare payments, or had their hours or sole trade income reduced by 20 per cent were eligible.”…
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Added: Off Guardian commenter in Cyprus replies to Melbourne commenter above regarding upcoming Pandemic bills:
Thanks for reminding me. There is a new pandemic bill slated to be debated in parliament here in Cyprus which will introduce a Pandemic Bill under which non-compliance with or violation of the decrees will constitute a criminal offence carrying a sentence of two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 50,000 euro. It seems the government here is currently issuing decrees under the 1932 Quarantine Law that was introduced by the British colonial masters. Strange places, ex-colonies.”
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