The federal government will introduce a $1500 paid pandemic leave payment to make sure people who are tested for coronavirus or have the disease stay home.
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"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 $1500 payment for that fortnight," Mr Morrison said late on Monday.
The payments will be made in the same way as disaster recovery payments and the cost will be shared by the Commonwealth and the states.
At this stage the payment is only available to Victorians and will be available "for as long as the government considers it a disaster".
Mr Morrison said it wouldn't be available to other states as they aren't in a state of disaster like Victoria, but if another state was to experience a similar situation then a disaster payment of this nature would be available.
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It is estimated that most recipients of the payment will be people on short term working visas who don't have other payments available to them.
"That means that those who need to self-isolate as a result of an instruction by a public health officer - there is no economic reason for you to go to work," Mr Morrison said.
The Victorian government will also be encouraged to put penalties in place for people who go to work despite being told to self-isolate.
People will also be able to access the payment more than once if they are forced to self-isolate multiple times.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Sally Whyte
I report on a range of issues in federal politics and the public service, with a real passion for how decisions made in Canberra affect the lives of Australians.
I report on a range of issues in federal politics and the public service, with a real passion for how decisions made in Canberra affect the lives of Australians.
