Australia pandemic leave payments are going no-where, PM indicates

Anthony Albanese has strongly indicated he supports the state and territory push to extend emergency pandemic leave payments beyond the end of September. 

The payments were already extended in June when the then newly elected Labor government bowed to widespread public pressure to do so. 

That criticism is building up again, with unions and the Greens supporting calls from NSW, Victoria and the ACT to keep the payments until isolation rules are lifted.

On Tuesday, Mr Albanese said ‘while governments place imposed restrictions, then governments therefore have responsibility as a result of those decisions’. 

He was referring to the fact that people who test positive for Covid-19 are still subject to compulsory isolation periods, despite the period being reduced. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured at the Midwinter ball in Canberra with his partner Jodie Haydon) has indicated he may support the further extension of Covid-19 isolation payments

The support was recently changed due as isolation periods were reduced, with those who are required to isolate for five days eligible for up to $540 and those in high-risk workplaces still able to get $750. 

An announcement to extend the payments, if it happens, will probably be made after national cabinet meets virtually on Wednesday.

An ACT government spokesperson said the payments should continue at a reduced amount, to reflect the reduced mandatory quarantine arrangements.

‘This will ensure casual workers without sick leave entitlements are able to isolate as necessary,’ they said.

The Victorian government spokesperson said its position had not changed and ‘people should be financially supported if the public health advice is that they are required to isolate.

There is growing pressure on the federal government to again extend Covid isolation payments. Pictured is a stock shot of a woman blowing her nose

‘The alternative means making people choose between being able to put food on the table or isolate to keep others safe,’ a spokesperson said. 

‘You want staff to come back when they’re healthy and to take time off when they’re sick, but not to take advantage of the situation.’

ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien said ‘If (workers) need to isolate and lose a week of work, they should be paid for a full week of work.’

The Greens also back the retention of the payments. 

‘As much as we all wish it wasn’t, the pandemic is still with us, and national cabinet still has Covid isolation requirements in place,’ said Greens social services spokeswoman Janet Rice.

‘Amid the cost of living crisis, a pandemic that is still with us and the fuel excise due to end this month too, people need support.’

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s previously said he would like to see the payments reviewed.

‘Many small business employers that you speak to talk about that being a problem for them, to get staff back,’ he told Sky News in August.

‘You want staff to come back when they’re healthy and to take time off when they’re sick, but not to take advantage of the situation.