Territorians miss out on lockdown relief payments despite Victoria getting payments

Territorians are questioning why they missed out on relief payments from the federal government while in lockdown in late June, after the federal government announced it would offer payments to Victorians during their five-day shutdown.

TERRITORIANS are questioning why they missed out on relief payments from the federal government while in lockdown in late June, after the federal government announced it would offer payments to Victorians during their five-day shutdown.

Late Thursday Prime Minister Scott Morrison agreed to financial assistance for state-imposed lockdowns for a period of less than seven days.

But Territory politicians were divided over who was to blame for the lack of payments during the June/July five day lockdown.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the “uselessness of the Chief Minister” was on “full display”.

“Commonwealth support was previously only activated after a seven-day lockdown, but Victoria has secured its workers compensation after five days,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“In contrast, when the Territory’s five-day lockdown ended, Gunner told our workers there’d be no compensation because the lockdown wasn’t long enough. Mr Gunner’s approach to fighting for the Territory in Canberra is pathetic.

“And in fact during lockdown he didn’t even try.”

Federal Labor Member for Solomon Luke Gosling called for the payment to be made retrospectively to Territorians.

“Territory small businesses, sole traders, and casual workers, among many others, felt the pain a fortnight ago during our five-day lockdown,” he said.

“The Federal Government should be helping all Australians who are feeling the pain from its poor decisions, not just those in Sydney and Melbourne.”

The Chief Minister did not respond to questions over whether he had asked for federal government help during the lockdown or whether he would push for retroactive help.

It’s understood the payments are not available retrospectively.