Many Australian casual employees have lost what work they have been doing sometimes for years. Many industries rely equally for their viability on casual employees. The arts industry, hospitality, education and other employees in a variety of industries are finding that their income has suddenly stopped due to circumstances beyond their control. They still have mortgages to pay, service costs, food and a myriad of other daily expenses. These do not stop!

Each of these employees will have built some superannuation funds which are aimed at retirement. In order to weather the Covid 19 disaster the government should allow access to a percentage of this pool of money in the present emergency. It would also provide a source of funds as an economy stimulus, pay the inevitable bills and perhaps even prevent suicides which result from the utter despair around the nation.

We call on the Federal Government to allow access to a percentage (perhaps 10%) of superannuation as a practical emergency survival means available to those who are desperate.