The government has resumed $750 payments, which had ended two weeks ago, to those forced to isolate or care for someone with COVID-19.
Look back on our blog to see how Saturday's events unfolded.
Key events
- Albanese 'has made the right decision': ACTU Secretary
- PM defends not reinstating payments earlier
- PM says COVID wave likely to peak in August
- National cabinet agrees on consistent messaging around masks
- Pandemic leave payments to be reinstated until September 30
- 'We know the pandemic is not over': Albanese
- What you need to know about pandemic leave payments
- PM to speak at 11:45am AEST following national cabinet
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
We'll leave things here
This is where we'll wrap up our live coverage of today's national cabinet update.
To recap:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has moved to reinstate emergency pandemic leave payments until September 30
- The pandemic payment scheme offers Australians who have tested positive to COVID-19 but do not have access to sick leave up to $750 in support
- The payments will now be made available from Wednesday, backdated from July 1
- The payment is also available for people who need to stay home and care for a person with COVID-19, including children under 16 or a person with a disability, as well as close contacts
You can read more on today's update with this story below from political reporter Stephanie Dalzell, and scroll through our blog to see how today's events unfolded.
By Jessica Riga
Check out our Charting the Spread page
Is there a chance the Covid case numbers (not just hospital numbers) could be reported each day? I think if people see how many daily cases there are for each state and territory in one easy-to-find story then there might be a stronger willingness for everyone to start wearing masks again.
- Pinky
Hi Pinky,
Our Charting the Spread page has been tracking the COVID-19 figures for each jurisdiction every day since 2020.
You can check it out using the link below.
By Jessica Riga
Albanese 'has made the right decision': ACTU Secretary
ACTU Secretary Sally McManus has welcome the Prime Minister's announcement reinstating the pandemic leave payments, saying the scheme is "the best way to protect Australians."
"PM Albanese has made the right decision to protect workers and businesses by restoring Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments. The previous Morrison government never should have set the finish date in the middle of winter.
"Bringing back Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments is very welcome and means that workers will no longer have to decide between isolating with the virus and putting food on the table for their families."
By Jessica Riga
Watch: PM reinstates pandemic leave payments
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces the federal government will reinstate emergency COVID-19 pandemic payments following a national cabinet meeting.
By Jessica Riga
Any talk of bringing back the mask mandate?
Pleased the payments are back. Any talk about bringing back mandatory mask wearing? Thanks
- Milly
Hi Milly,
There was no announcement about bringing back the mask mandate.
However, the PM said national cabinet agreed to strongly encourage the use of wearing masks indoors where appropriate (so where people are mixing and can't be socially distanced) so the messaging is consistent across each jurisdiction.
By Jessica Riga
Experts welcome payments but stress the need for long-term solution
Acting CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, Edwina Macdonald, has called today's announcement "welcome news."
But with the payments only reinstated until September 30, she says a long-term solution is needed.
"The stories we are hearing, the possible choices people have to make, people are having to choose between hot water or clothes, food or medicine, surviving on $46 a day, the rate of JobSeeker is, it is just impossible.
"People are having to make choices that nobody in a wealthy country like Australia should be having to make.
"[The PM is] really committed to making sure no-one is left behind. That is really encouraging to hear that.
"But we know that we do need a longer term solution as well."
By Jessica Riga
Will the payments be backdated?
Will the scheme be backdated to those who had Covid since July 1 and couldn’t access the payment?
- S Walsh
Hi there,
Lots of you are asking this.
Yes, the pandemic leave payments will be backdated until July 1.
By Jessica Riga
PM defends not reinstating payments earlier
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended not reinstating the payment earlier, maintaining he was following the timeline laid out by his predecessors.
"We didn't make the decision, the former government did in consultation with the states and territories," he said.
"When the health circumstances change, we've responded.
"We've responded collectively — the Commonwealth with states and territories, and that is appropriate."
The press conference has now ended, but if you have any questions about the pandemic leave payments, you can submit them to the blog.
By Jessica Riga
'Welcome news': Some thoughts from you on the return of pandemic leave payments
Welcome news. Good to see sensible cooperation.
- Anne Keane
By Jessica Riga
PM says COVID wave likely to peak in August
"It is expected, from the indications of Professor Kelly, that we can expect an increase in the number of cases over coming weeks," Mr Albanese says.
"That is likely and the advice is from the AHPPC that it is likely to peak in August and we will,
"That is why we picked September 30 to finish these payments.
"We will continue to monitor the circumstances which are they are."
By Jessica Riga
When can I apply for the reinstated pandemic leave payments?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says people can start applying for the reinstated pandemic leave payments from Wednesday, July 20.
You can apply online through Services Australia, or by calling 180 22 66.
By Jessica Riga
Does the government know how much the pandemic leave payments will cost?
"We do have estimates. It is expected that the share will be a share of just under $800 million. Around about $780 million to be shared 50-50 between the Commonwealth and the states and territories," Mr Albanese says.
"But we will wait and see in terms of the outcome, the clear eligibility requirements will be available, they are consistent with the previous eligibility requirements."
By Jessica Riga
National cabinet agrees on consistent messaging around masks
"The jurisdictions and the Commonwealth also agreed to provide that consistent health messaging out of there to encourage Australians to follow the recommendations that were provided by Professor Kelly," Mr Albanese says.
"These include wearing masks indoors where appropriate, where people are mixing and can't have social distancing, it makes sense for that to be highly encouraged.
"Also getting tested, practising good respiratory hygiene and where it is, where people are contacts and it is appropriate for people to work from home."
By Jessica Riga
Federal government to create new temporary telehealth item
"The Commonwealth is also agreeing to create a new temporary telehealth item so GPs can spend longer with their patients to assess the suitability for oral COVID-19 antivirals," Mr Albanese says.
By Jessica Riga
Federal government to reinstate Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency
"The government will also reinstate the Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency until the 30 September," Mr Albanese says.
"This will ensure that those affected by COVID-19 isolation requirements receive income support payments, or study living allowances who are in severe financial hardship continue to receive support during the winter period."
By Jessica Riga
Both the federal and state governments will contribute to the payments
"Going forward, the states and territories have agreed that this payment will be covered 50-50," Mr Albanese says.
"Previously, the states and territories picked up the bill or temporary visa holders.
"This is a fair way, going forward as all of the states and territories, as well as the Commonwealth, understand that emergency payments are just that.
"They can't continue forever given the physical constraints that are on governments at all levels."
By Jessica Riga
Pandemic leave payments to be reinstated until September 30
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the pandemic leave payments will be reinstated until September 30.
"I said during the election campaign repeatedly that one of my things was no one left behind," Mr Albanese says.
"Indeed, I want to make sure that people aren't left behind, that vulnerable people are looked after and that no-one is based with the unenviable choice of not being able to isolate properly without losing an income and without losing put in a situation that is difficult."
Mr Albanese said the decision was made in recognition of the risks associated with the more infectious new COVID-19 variants.
By Jessica Riga
400,000 people have had a fourth COVID shot in recent days
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the uptake in people getting their fourth COVID shot "very positive."
By Jessica Riga
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking now
Again, here's the live stream link if you missed it before.
