Tuesday 13 September 2022 08:04 AM Australia pandemic leave payments are going no-where, PM indicates trends now
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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
