PM to bankroll Victoria quarantine facility in stark message to QLD govt at national cabinet meeting

A plan to build a quarantine facility in Toowoomba has been shelved after the PM ticked off a similar facility in Victoria, with insiders saying the Queensland proposal wasn’t up to scratch.

Queensland’s proposal to build a regional quarantine facility in Toowoomba is expected to be shelved by the Federal Government unless it undergoes a major rewrite, as the Prime Minister announces Victoria’s blueprints as the gold-standard.

Scott Morrison will on Friday reveal he has agreed to help bankroll a new state-run facility in Victoria, with the details to be ironed out with the state government.

It is believed the Morrison Government will commit $200 million to the construction of the 500-bed Victorian facility, but the state government will be required to pay for the centre’s operational costs.

Construction of the facility — which will be based in Avalon, about 15km from Geelong CBD — is expected to commence by September and complete by January.

In green-lighting Victoria’s plans, multiple sources have told the Courier-Mail Mr Morrison will send a message that Queensland’s proposal — which was 15 pages long and without costing details — just isn’t up to scratch for consideration.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Under the government’s principles, a purpose-built quarantine facility should be in “reasonable proximity” to an international airport and to a hospital capable of managing COVID-19 patients.

It’s understood the federal government is open to considering more purpose-built quarantine proposals put forward by jurisdictions — as long as enough detail is provided.

National cabinet, in its first meeting in a month, will also discuss how to split the costs of a new weekly payment designed to help anyone unable to work because of a lockdown lasting longer than seven days.

Those who usually work more than 20 hours can receive $500 or $325 if they work less.

To be eligible the person must be at least 17-years-old, have less than $10,000 in liquid assets and have exhausted pandemic leave, though they don’t have to use annual leave.

The person must not be receiving any kind of income support like Jobseeker and must be an Australian citizen or have the relevant work visa.

Mr Morrison has suggested the household payment would be shared 50-50 with states or alternatively, the Commonwealth would cover the full amount if states covered the full amount for any support given to businesses during lockdown.

The new payment comes as Melburnians prepared for an extended lockdown.

Three new cases of coronavirus were detected in the community in the 24 hours to Thursday, including a child of an infected person.

Vaccine passports for domestic travel, making jabs for aged care workers compulsory and restricting them to working at a single site, and international arrival caps will also be discussed at national cabinet.