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The prime minister has sought to assure Australians the government is taking action on coronavirus but says everyone has a role to play.
Scott Morrison addressed the nation on Thursday night, the first prime minister to do so since Julia Gillard laid out her government’s climate plan in 2011.
From Sydney, he detailed his government’s $22.9 billion economic stimulus package, dividing his government’s strategy into three goals.
“One, protect Australians’ health; two, secure Australians’ jobs and livelihoods; and three, set Australia up to bounce back stronger when the crisis is over,” he said.
The words “bounce back” were a prominent theme in Mr Morrison’s speech as spruiked the government’s economic performance.
“Once the virus has run its course, we are making sure Australia can bounce back strongly,” Mr Morrison said.
The stimulus package includes cheques to welfare recipients and pensioners, wage subsidies for employers to keep apprentices employed and cash boosts to small businesses.
“We can take this action now because we have worked hard to bring the budget back into balance,” Mr Morrison said.
But he also sought to rally Australians, saying there were challenging months ahead as the world dealt with the fallout from the virus.
“We will get through this together, Australia. We all have a role to play.”
“I know we’ll all do our bit.”
There have been more than 120 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, and 24 have already been cleared.
Three Australians have died.
People who believe they may have contracted COVID-19 are advised to call their doctor before organising an appointment or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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