Yahoo Finance New $1,500 payment for Aussies in another state
Canberrans forced to quarantine as a result of the coronavirus will be able to access a $1,500 hardship payment from the ACT government, the second state to provide this kind of financial support for residents after Victoria.
A $1.25 million hardship fund has been established to help residents in the ACT who are required to isolate, but do not have access to sick leave or other government assistance.
"The ACT government recognises that some people who are not able to work due to being tested, or who have contracted Covid-19, have no access to other government payments and are not otherwise able to support themselves," Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.
"No one should have to decide between following health instructions and being able to afford access to basic essentials."
In order to access the payment, Canberrans would need to demonstrate that they have no, or limited, savings in their bank accounts, and are not a dependant.
Victoria implemented a $1,500 pandemic leave payment in June this year, after residents continued to go to work despite being ill.
“People are, sadly, making the choice that public health is less important than the welfare and survival, in a financial sense, of their family,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
"They're wrong to make that judgement but I can appreciate that that is a judgement that is being made."
This month, the Prime Minister revealed the Commonwealth would be subsidising the state’s payments, paying for residents while the state government would pay for short-term visa holders.
Scott Morrison later flagged if more states wanted to implement the payment, the Federal Government would arrange to do so.
"If other states or territories want to enter into a similar arrangement, then I'll be making that offer to the states and territories if they wish to do that," Morrison said.
"Of course, they are not facing the same level of challenge. The health advice we had out of Victoria was to do this."
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