Scott Morrison urges Australians to support Victoria through critical new lockdown measures

The PM has urged Australians to support Victoria through critical new lockdown measures, as he announced new ‘disaster payments’ for Victorians who need to self-isolate but have no sick leave.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called on Australians to support coronavirus-riddled Victoria through “heartbreaking” new lockdown restrictions, saying the country’s future depends getting its outbreak under control.

It came as Mr Morrison announced a $1500 “disaster payment” would be rolled out for Victorians who need to self-isolate for 14 days but don’t have enough sick leave left to ensure they have “no economic reason” to go to work.

The PM acknowledged the heavy toll Stage 4 restrictions were set to have on Victorian workers, small business owners and families, after Premier Daniel Andrews announced many business will have to close for six weeks from midnight on Friday.

He urged those in other states to offer an “elbow of support” to their southern neighbours: “If you‘ve got friends in Victoria, call them. Cheer them up. Encourage them.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ‘backed’ Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Gary Ramage

“Let them know you‘re there for them if you’re in a state in a much better situation – which, thankfully, all other states and territories are.

“Offer whatever support you can. We‘ve asked so much of Australians over these many months, and we’ve asked even more of Victorians. And now we’re asking – through the Victorian Premier – even more.

“We know that we have to help them push through, because Australia‘s future depends on these weeks and months ahead. So today, I’m here to do nothing more than encourage people.”

Speaking to media in Canberra Mr Morrison said the Federal Government would be issuing pandemic leave payments in the state to people who need to remain at home but have exhausted their sick leave.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announcing latest restrictions with the stage 4 lockdown of Greater Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“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,” he said.

“We are also encouraging the Victorian government to ensure that there are appropriate penalties in place for those who do break those public health notices and they‘re told to self-isolate and do go to work.

“They‘re putting their workmates at risk. They’re putting their employer’s business at risk. They’re putting the broader health at risk.”

The PM said it was not something being considered for people living in other states.

Premier Andrews said Victorians needed to make big sacrifices. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“It‘ll be there for as long as the government considers it a disaster – we’ve left it open-ended at this point,” he said.

Mr Morrison refused to criticise the under fire Victorian Government, and Premier Andrews, for being unable to stop the spread of the virus.

“It‘s very unfair what’s happening to people. It’s the pandemic and the virus that is doing that, and it means that the Premier obviously has to make some difficult calls,” he said.

“And not everybody is going to agree with every call he makes. And I am absolutely sure that he hasn‘t taken any of them lightly in the many conversations that I’ve had with him.

“They’re tough calls and he knows he has to make them.”