Treasurer Jim Chalmers has put his weight behind Prime Minister Anthony Albanese amid mounting criticism over ending pandemic leave payments.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has ridiculed calls for the government to apologise to casual workers over pandemic leave payments.Mr Chalmers rejected deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley's statement that the Prime Minister owed an apology to people affected by COVID-19
On Saturday, deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley accused the Prime Minister of not taking responsibility for decisions his government could overturn. "I think one of the reasons why that comment is so obviously ridiculous is because it was her government, a little over eight weeks ago, that designed for this program to end [at the end of June]," Mr Chalmers said.Cabinet minister Chris Bowen said the federal government had listened to medical advice as well feedback from premiers.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said senior ministers should stop blaming the Morrison government to take responsibility for their own decisions. 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.
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