Anthony Albanese faces revolt over axed pandemic leave payments

The Prime Minister is facing a revolt in the ranks over a decision which could have a huge impact for some of Australia’s most vulnerable workers.

Anthony Albanese is facing a revolt in the ranks over the decision to axe pandemic payments with NSW Labor leader Chris Minns calling for the policy to be overturned.

As cases skyrocket over winter, the Albanese Government has axed the $750 payment in line with the previous government’s plan to phase it out.

But now NSW Opposition Leader, Labor’s Chris Minns, has called on the Prime Minister to reconsider the payment and support casuals who may be tempted to lie about their virus status rather than isolate for seven days.

“The $750 isolation payment should be reinstated,’’ Mr Minns said. “For our health and economy.

“We’ve seen the rents are going through the roof we know that petrol is increasing by 33 per cent. We know that energy costs are going up by 15 per cent. We know that interest rates are going up we also know that the cost of groceries and tolls are heading through the roof. Inflation is at levels that New South Wales and the country hasn’t seen for decades.

“We need to make sure that people can meet their financial obligations, if someone’s going to be at home for seven days without any financial recourse or any income coming in to meet those obligations.”

The $750 isolation payment should be reinstated.

For our health and economy.

— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) July 14, 2022

Mr Albanese left the door open to a backflip on the decision to axe the payments for casual workers after he was confronted with the fate of a young Woolies worker trying to support her teenage sister earlier on Thursday.

Speaking this morning on the Today show, the Prime Minister was challenged about the fate of casuals such as Kirrilli, 21, who are being forced to isolate without pay.

Distancing himself from the decision he said it was an “inherited” plan to axe the payments.

“Look, it’s a really difficult circumstance. I feel for her,’’ Mr Albanese said.

“The former government made the decision that this support would stop on the first of July.

“That was foreshadowed a long while in advance. We’ll continue to address these issues based upon the health advice.”

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Kirrilli is a casual workers who must complete her Covid isolation without pay. Picture: Today/ Channel 9

Today host Karl Stefanovic then interjected, saying “So, you are this morning saying that you’re open to providing assistance to casual workers?.”

“Well, we’ll continue to take the advice of the experts, Karl. I can’t do more than that,’’ he said.

In the first sign that he may be preparing to shift gears on the issue, the Prime Minister also told Sunrise he would hold talks on the issue when he returns from overseas.

“Look, there are real challenges there. And certainly, when I return to Australia, we’ll continue to address those issues. But we inherited those cut-offs across a range of decisions from the former Government,’’ he said.

Anthony Albanese left the door open to potentially bring back pandemic payments for casual workers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Sunrise host Natalie Barr then interjected, saying “But you don’t have to keep them, do you?”

“Well, we also inherited $1 trillion of debt, Nat. That’s the problem here,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Queensland Premier suggested workers should “cop it” for seven days but if it was repeat infections where workers needed help.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has stepped up her demands for the Prime Minister to take action and hold a national cabinet when he returns from Fiji.

“All we want is an update from the chief health officer,’’ she told the Today Show.

“Because we’re just getting a bit of mixed messages at the moment. I think the country just wants to know how this wave is going.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called on the Prime Minister to hold a national cabinet meeting. Picture: Tara Croser

Asked about the decision to halt the $750 pandemic leave payments for casuals without sick leave, the Queensland Premier pointedly said this was a matter for the Albanese government.

“Look, I’m not going to get into that. That’s a Federal Government responsibility,’’ she said.

“I think the issue is, if it’s seven days people can cop seven days. Is this virus going to keep recurring in people?”

“We are seeing some people hit harder, so that means they are off work for longer than the seven days. I do think we need to look at those particular examples,’’ she told Sunrise.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there was no doubt it was tough for people.

“We will do what we can, but we are not going to lie to people like Kirrilli and pretend there is this endless source of money where we can continue these programs which were designed to end. We can’t continue them forever,’’ he said.