Page 770 - Week 03 - Thursday, 2 April 2020
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We are doing targeted testing to try to pick up if we do start to see community transmission. Our testing resources are not limitless. We literally cannot test every person in the ACT who has symptoms of a cold or flu. That is not a reasonable thing to do. Mr Coe stood here earlier today, when he was talking about the committee, and said he wanted to see an evidence-based response. That is exactly what we are doing. That is exactly what the national cabinet is doing, on the basis of the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. We are taking the advice of health professionals and health experts in this space of communicable disease and infectious disease control, and that is what we are acting on. We continue to review. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the Chief Health Officer continue to review those testing criteria every day, to determine whether we do need to start expanding those criteria.
Energy—concessions
MISS C BURCH: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, have you asked utility companies to provide relief to small businesses and families?
MR BARR: Yes.
MISS C BURCH: Chief Minister, what modelling have you done to measure the cost of living impact for people remaining at home during the COVID-19 pandemic?
MR BARR: None at this point.
MR WALL: Chief Minister, what options does a family have if their energy is cut off as a result of non-payment during the COVID-19 crisis?
MR BARR: Their energy will not be cut off, and that is a commitment provided by the energy retailers, the ACT government and the commonwealth government.
Housing—concessions
MR WALL: My question is to the Chief Minister and Treasurer. Chief Minister, I have heard from many constituents who own investment properties in Canberra who are being adversely affected by our current health crisis. An example of this is a couple who contacted me who are in their mid-50s and live in Monash. For the purposes of this question we will call them Bill and Mary.
Currently, Bill and Mary have a significant mortgage on an investment property purchased to assist them with income in retirement. Now living on a single income as a result of one of them losing their job during COVID-19, they are struggling to meet mortgage repayments on the home they live in. Given the rent moratorium that is being canvassed, mum and dad investors like Bill and Mary will struggle to continue to cover the mortgage payments and rates on this property, as well as on the home they live in, if the tenants are no longer paying rent. What is the ACT government doing to support mum and dad investors at this time, such as Bill and Mary?
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