Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Why did the Prime Minister wait until 3 August to announce a paid pandemic leave payment in Victoria, after more than a hundred aged-care residents had died? Does he agree with the South Australian Liberal Treasurer that it makes no sense for the Prime Minister to fund a scheme in Tasmania, with one active case, but not South Australia, with three? And why won't the Prime Minister make sure paid pandemic leave is available for all Australians?

Government Member:

A government member interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whoever that was on my right will cease interjecting.

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

The member for Sydney is asking me to guess. Let's have a week of no interjections next week, Member Sydney. The Prime Minister has the call.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have written to all premiers and chief ministers. They have all been offered the same set of arrangements that have been provided to Victoria. The Tasmanian government has taken up that offer. I have written back to the premiers of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia today. They have sought further information on these arrangements, and we are providing that information. I have not yet seen a request from South Australia. Should they make that request, we will respond to that request as well. We have enabled this disaster payment to be made available for those who need to isolate in relation to the pandemic, and that was done following a very good agreement that I was able to reach with the Victorian Premier, and I'm pleased that we can extend that to the other states and territories.