The Australian Government will continue its current relief measures to support electricity customers in Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) households, businesses and community groups on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its economic impacts.

I am pleased to announce the new ferry services schedule for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands will come into effect from Monday, 3 August 2020.

The ferry schedule has been changed to better reflect the needs of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) and its communities, following consultations and the subsequent review of the ferry services by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

These are very challenging times for all of us as we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and I would like to acknowledge our Muslim communities on both Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) who have had to make a lot of changes to their daily lives with the mosques closed and usual Friday prayers affected.

The Australian Government is providing additional flight services between Perth, Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) over the next four months, to address increased freight and passenger demand in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT).

In addition to regular twice-weekly passenger and fortnightly freight services, Virgin Australia will be offering a new IOT flight (Perth to CI to CKI to Perth) on the following dates:

Information on the 2020-21 water and wastewater service charges for the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), which commence from next month, is now available.

The Australian Government, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, provides funding to the Water Corporation of Western Australia to deliver water and wastewater services to Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI).

In recognition of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) of Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands" (CKI) ongoing vulnerability to the risks posed by COVID-19, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Honourable Nola Marino, MP, has approved the extension of the current state of emergency in both territories until 30 June if necessary.

Income support for individuals

The Government is providing support for individuals to assist them during the next six months.

Increased and accelerated income support

Summary

The Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight. This supplement will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the eligible payment categories. These changes will apply for the next six months.

On the 29th of January 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australian Authorities were working in consultation with the Chinese Government to assist Australian Citizens that were abroad in mainland China and whom may be at risk of exposure to the Coronavirus.

In recognition of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) of Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) being remote communities, and their vulnerability to coronavirus, I have declared a state of emergency in both territories.

On the 29th of January 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australian Authorities were working in consultation with the Chinese Government to assist Australian Citizens that were abroad in mainland China and whom may be at risk of exposure to the Coronavirus.