Bendigo has been one of the hardest hit regions in Victoria by payroll job changes since Australia recorded its 100th COVID-19 case in mid-March.
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Bendigo has seen an 8.1 per cent drop in payroll jobs between March 14 and May 30, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Payroll jobs in Ballarat have decreased 7.3 per cent, while those in Shepparton have dived 7.6 per cent during the same period.
Federal member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said she fears more jobs will be lost if the government doesn't extend its JobKeeper wage subsidy beyond September 27.
"This is only going to get much worse if the government doesn't extend JobKeeper," Ms Chesters said.
Treasury data to May reveals that 4200 organisations in the Bendigo electorate are enrolled in the JobKeeper program.
There are 9025 people in the electorate receiving the JobSeeker payment and 1254 people receiving Youth Allowance.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the government's support measures, including small business tax cuts, the JobKeeper wage subsidy and cash flow boost payments are helping local businesses.
"These measures are already having an impact within our economy, with the National Skills Commission reporting that five per cent of Victorian businesses increased their staffing levels between April and May," Senator Henderson said.
Ms Chesters said she is concerned the government has no long-term plan for one of the pandemic's hardest hit industries, the tourism industry.
"Until people can freely come here, the government needs to support our tourism industry," she said.
"There are some hotels that haven't taken a booking for months.
"There is no plan for an entire industry that employs so many people."
Senator Henderson said the government the government is committed to supporting domestic tourism.
"The government's unprecedented $260 billion dollar coronavirus support package is providing an incredible level of support for the economy, including regional Victoria's tourism industry," the Senator said.
"Ms Chesters should spend more time assisting local regional businesses in Bendigo to access the government's job-saving lifelines and cease playing politics with the COVID-19 recovery."
