Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it wouldn’t last, but PM Albanese has confirmed that pandemic leave payments will be extended indefinitely at the current rate following yesterday’s National Cabinet meeting. That’s the payment to COVID-struck workers who don’t have access to sick leave and are forced to stay home under mandatory isolation periods. The tap was to be turned off at the end of September, despite the 5-day iso requirement remaining in place. Sick people, “whether from COVID or from other health issues”, should stay home – and there’s a responsibility for the government to cover them financially “for the appropriate period which is designated,” Albanese said. The Feds and the states/territories are splitting the bill – so far, it’s cost taxpayers $2.2 billion. Next meeting, National Cabinet will look at shortening the iso period, with the PM noting other nations are “gradually a move towards COVID being treated like other health issues.”