The package includes an extra $500 million for health, all dedicated for Covid-19, for extra intensive care capacity and equipment for hospitals, support for primary care, health promotion programmes, plus more testing and contract tracing, as well as telehealth.

The Government has promised more for health as necessary and in the May budget.   

Other items of the package include:

·        $5.1 billion for wage subsidies package

·        $2.8 billion for benefit increases and doubling the Winter Energy Payment

·        And a further $2.8 billion for tax changes to free up cash flow

There is also $126 million for sick leave support and a Covid-19 self-isolation payment for those outside the state sector.  The state sector is expected to pay employees their normal wage through periods of self-isolation.

The Society view is that this a massive package which is appropriately well targeted, and it will make a difference.

Inevitably further measures will be needed in the coming months, particularly even more funds for health and related services.  It is reassuring that Government is promising more and without delay. 

The package was initially $12.1 billion, but already boosted by an extra $4 billion, with much more will be necessary.