Sky News Political Editor aclennell says the federal government have had an about-face for political purposes in regard to support payments for locked down Australians.
Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says the federal government have had an about-face for political purposes in regard to support payments for locked down Australians. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg were previously against such measures, earlier resisting calls from the Victorian government.
On Thursday the government introduced the temporary COVID disaster payment for circumstances where there are lockdowns imposed by states that are longer than seven days and are deemed hotspots. “What the PM is setting here is a system for future lockdowns," Mr Clennell said. "He wants the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer to be able to define when lockdown support is necessary. "In this way, the Commonwealth can potentially get greater control over when economies are locked down.
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