Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) recognises that Health Services Union (HSU) members in the aged care, health and disability support sectors are some of the most at-risk people during this pandemic;

(b) acknowledges that for many workers in these sectors the choice of saying no to a shift can mean the difference between putting food on the table or going hungry;

(c) notes that forcing sick workers to come to work due to lack of appropriate leave provisions will only inhibit efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic;

(d) urges the Morrison Government to legislate and fund paid pandemic leave for health, aged care and disability support workers; and

(e) commends the HSU for standing up for its members on this crucial issue.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government acknowledges the efforts of all workers in the aged-care, health and disability sectors regardless of their membership in a union. The government has implemented a pandemic leave disaster payment to support those who don't have paid leave entitlements yet have been directed to isolate for 14 days when they otherwise would have been working. This includes workers in the aged-care, health and disability sectors. The payment is currently available in Victoria and Tasmania, and the Prime Minister has written to state premiers, extending the offer if required.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Greens support the motion. Paid pandemic leave should be for all workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the profound precariousness and inequality that exists in workplaces. No-one—not a single person—should be forced to choose between protecting their health and the health of those around them and being plunged into economic hardship, yet this is the exact situation many workers find themselves in. The government needs to support workers and guarantee and fund a safety net so all workers have access to at least 14 days of paid pandemic leave. This needs to happen right now. We can't wait for a state of disaster to be declared. We need to act to prevent disasters. The Greens have a bill before the Senate to do that just that, and we urge the Senate to pass the bill for the sake of workers, for the sake of communities and for the sake of public health.

Question agreed to.