Low uptake for COVID payments
Only two states have signed up to the federal pandemic leave payment scheme.
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment scheme provides a payment of $1,500 to people who have to isolate because of COVID-19.
The Commonwealth is only funding payments to citizens and permanent residents, with states footing the bill for temporary visa holders.
Victoria was joined by Tasmania this week to become the only two states on the scheme.
Other states appear to be going their own ways.
South Australia's Premier Stephen Marshall has announced a payment of up to $1,500 for eligible SA workers required to self-isolate.
Queensland is offering a hardship payment of $1,500 for casual workers and eligible employees, with the ACT has set up a hardship fund for casual and part-time workers who cannot work due to COVID-19 isolation measures.
The Federal Government says it is still willing to help the other states.
“The Prime Minister wrote to all jurisdictions earlier this month to offer to extend the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment to states and territories that consider they are disaster affected and are willing to enter into a cost-sharing arrangement with the Commonwealth,” a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office said this week.
“It is for individual jurisdictions to determine if they are disaster affected.”