Australians fret over cuts to JobKeeper and JobSeeker COVID aid

'It's going to be worse than ever,' warns recipient as PM eyes deficit

20200731 melbourne

A man walks on July 30 in Melbourne, where the new COVID-19 lockdown permits residents to leave home only for work, exercise and essential outings. © Getty Images

MITCH RYAN, Contributing writer

SYDNEY -- David Bell, jobless with a wife and two teenagers, was just scraping by on government aid and assistance from a local food bank before the coronavirus hit Australia.

But a major expansion in benefits to help citizens cope with the pandemic's blow to the economy has proven a godsend for the 59-year old former police liaison officer, who volunteers at several charities in Sydney and has found his age an impediment to re-entering the workforce.

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