“The data is clear,” he reported, “of the extra $550 a fortnight — the Coronavirus Supplement — the largest amount, $85, was spent on household bills, electricity, phone, water; $70 of that extra money was spent on food; around $60 was spent on clothing and household goods; around $175 was saved or used to pay down debt.” “What we saw is that for the people who received that extra money, it was life-changing. Hundreds of thousands of people were lifted out of poverty. “They didn’t spend that money on frivolous or discretionary items. They didn’t withdraw from the labour market. They spent it well on their families and bills. “And they spent it quickly, which made it a good stimulus that’s supported the economy.”

Source: COVID gave us a once-in-a-lifetime natural experiment — but Scott Morrison has turned his back on the lessons – ABC News