NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet says he will push for the return of COVID-19 leave payments for workers who lose income during isolation at a quick national cabinet meeting next week.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened the meeting after several leaders demonstrated to demand the return of support to workers affected by the isolation of COVID-19.
Australians are still required to isolate themselves for seven days if they are diagnosed with COVID-19, but the support payment ended in early July.
NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet wants support for the pandemic drop. (new)
This means that many workers, including those with occasional agreements, are forced to face a week without any income, amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Albanese has respected the federal timetable to end pandemic sick leave payments, though he has admitted it will have an impact on workers.
The prime minister says it was a decision “inherited” from his predecessor, but Perrottet issued a veiled disapproval of that position today.
“There is no time in the pandemic when we have established and left policies in place,” the prime minister said.
He said the decision should be made with contributions from a financial, health and humanitarian point of view, and with governments in unity.
“COVID-19 is not over. Governments are here to help our people. I will continue to stand firm and do so in an environment appropriate to the national cabinet,” he said.
“I think it’s unfair that when the state imposes public health orders on people who restrict their freedom and ability to work, the government doesn’t give financial support.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with the national cabinet next week. (Rhett Wyman)
But he admitted that the budget situation at the federal and state levels was “clearly under pressure.”
However, Perrottet has said he is willing to have discussions on funding pandemic low-paying “50-50” payments with the federal government.
“People make significant sacrifices following these health orders and isolate themselves for seven days,” he said.
“If the state imposes these orders, the state should also be available to help people.”
It is understood that the worsening of the COVID-19 crisis across the country will also focus on Monday’s meeting after some 47,000 cases were registered yesterday.
Health Minister Mark Butler has been on the side of the prime minister’s defense and said payments could not continue indefinitely.
“At some point, though, emergency payments have to end,” he said.
“It was intended to end at the end of June, and we are following the decision taken many months ago.
“I will not pretend, however, that this will not have an impact on the community.”
The United Workers Union has also pushed for the resumption of pandemic sick leave payments.
“Removing the paid pandemic leave in the midst of a pandemic is short-sighted and is at odds with the severity of COVID infection rates we are seeing in Australia,” said Secretary Tim Kennedy.
“Permission should be extended until we have come out at least from the worst of the terrible winter wave.”
Leaders will meet Monday after Albanese returns from the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji.
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