The Albanese government will reinstate the pandemic leave payment for workers who have to isolate but do not have sick leave, after earlier vigorously defending its ending on budgetary grounds.
With Australia now in the worst stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, there could hardly be a worse time for Australian government to cut and restrict its Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
Non-essential retailers across Melbourne will be shut under Victoria’s unprecedented lockdown, while Scott Morrison announced a “pandemic disaster payment” worth $1,500 for Victorian workers.