B&TB&TB&T
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Search
Trending topics:
  • Cairns Crocodiles
  • Nine
  • Seven
  • Cannes Lions
  • State of Origin
  • WPP
  • NRL
  • AFL
  • B&T Women in Media
  • Pinterest
  • Thinkerbell
  • imaa
  • Anthony Albanese
  • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Meta
  • EssenceMediaCom
  • Foxtel
  • TV Ratings
  • Radio Ratings
  • Sports Marketing

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
Reading: Karl Stefonovic Calls Government “Cold And Brutal” Over Change In COVID-19 Payments
Share
B&TB&T
Subscribe
Search
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
B&T > Media > Karl Stefonovic Calls Government “Cold And Brutal” Over Change In COVID-19 Payments
Media

Karl Stefonovic Calls Government “Cold And Brutal” Over Change In COVID-19 Payments

Mary Madigan
Published on: 29th September 2021 at 11:03 AM
Mary Madigan
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

Today show host, Karl Stefanovic slammed the government’s decision to phase back COVID-19 disaster payments, live on-air.

ABC reported, that the government has announced plans to eventually stop COVID disaster payments. However, they have clarified it will be a scale back.

Currently, the Commonwealth-funded disaster payments give people who have lost at least 20 hours a week, $750 a week. However, as states hit vaccination targets, the government will scale back the payments. Once a state is 70 per cent vaccinated, people will have to reapply weekly for a payment. When a state hits 80 per cent, the payment will only be available for two weeks.

Of course, while vaccinations should reduce the spread of COVID-19, they won’t get rid of the disease altogether, so presumedly people will still need to take time off work to isolate themselves.

The scale-back could also see residents of NSW lose access to government money within the month, which is particularly tough for people in industries that are only just reopening, like hospitality.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, appeared on the Today Show, yesterday, where Stefanovic called out the government for their decision.

Stefanovic said: “I get that you can’t keep it going and going but many industries won’t be back to normal at 70 or 80 per cent.

“You have the arts, nightclub, hospitality and tourism, especially in Far North Queensland, to cut them off is kind of cold and brutal, isn’t it?”

According, to news.com.au, Frydenberg hit back and said: “Firstly, we have announced specific economic support programs for the tourism industries right across all of the states and territories, as well as other entertainment venues and businesses.”

Stefanovic has been a huge supporter of everyone in Australia getting their jab. 

 

Join more than 30,000 advertising industry experts
Get all the latest advertising and media news direct to your inbox from B&T.

No related posts.

TAGGED: karl stefanovic, Today Show
Share
By Mary Madigan
Follow:
Mary Madigan began her career working for ex-Vogue editor and chief Kirstie Clements and has since done everything from PR to tutoring at The University Of Notre Dame. Mary Madigan was a journalist at B&T until 2022.

Latest News

Cindy Rose Appointed WPP CEO
10/07/2025
Dame Lisa Carrington.
Zespri Teams Up With World Champion Kayaker Dame Lisa Carrington In Global Partnership
10/07/2025
Agency Scorecard: EssenceMediacom
10/07/2025
Agency Scorecard: It’s Friday
10/07/2025
//

B&T is Australia’s leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries.

 

B&T is owned by parent company The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.

About B&T

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise

Top Categories

  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • TV Ratings

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



B&TB&T
Follow US
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?