Pandemic Support Welcome

The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia welcomes the Albanese Government’s decision to extend the pandemic leave disaster payment and the one-off COVID-19 crisis payment for people experiencing financial hardship as new variants take hold across Australia.

‘These are caring and sensible decisions that will ensure vulnerable Australian workers and income support recipients can do the right thing and isolate for a full week after a positive diagnosis for COVID-19,’ National President Claire Victory said.

The Society also welcomes the introduction of a new, temporary telehealth item for COVID-19 anti- viral management to allow GPs to spend more time with patients to evaluate their suitability for oral COVID-19 antivirals.

‘This measure will help vulnerable Australians to access medical treatment during the winter period when new, more infectious COVID-19 variants spread across the country,’ Ms Victory said.

The Society is heartened to know that National Cabinet will meet every two to three weeks to reassess Australia’s COVID-19 situation.