In a press conference on Monday, the Prime Minister announced that people who test positive to Covid-19 and have no paid sick leave available to them from their place of work will be for a $1,500 payment during mandatory 14 day isolation period.
The $1,500 payment is replicated off the Victorian government’s criteria for their paid pandemic leave scheme.
“This pandemic, this virus, is taking a heavy toll. And now is the time, as it has been throughout this pandemic, that we continue to provide support to one and other, that we look out for each other, we offer an elbow of support,” said the PM.
“The Commonwealth Government has been providing considerable support to Victoria, as the Treasurer said this morning, some $14 billion of support already there. The additional mental health support advised by the Health Minister yesterday is particularly important at this time.”
“This pandemic is a disaster and we need a disaster payment when it comes for people who have to isolate for a period of 14 days through no fault of their own, regardless of what job they’re in or employment they’re in. They need that support.”
“So what we’ll be putting in place is for those who have no more sick leave available to them, that they will be eligible for a $1,500 payment for the fortnight. That payment will be modelled on exactly the same set of criteria that the Victorian government has put in place.”
“Those payments will be principally made to those on short-term visas, so those who are not permanent residents or citizens of Australia who otherwise wouldn’t have accessed Commonwealth payments.”
“The Victorian government will continue to provide that support. We will make sure that everyone else who finds themselves in this situation and they don’t have that leave available to them through their sick leave because it’s been exhausted will get a $1,500 payment for that fortnight.”
“Today is a day where letting Victorians know that we are there to support you. And we will be there to support you with a $1,500 payment in the same way that others receive JobKeeper that, if you’re put in that situation, you can have that support for that two week period.”
