Australian Government Stops Pandemic Leave Payment Citing Ongoing Costs

Workers wear face masks as they set up displays at a local fruit and vegetable market in Sydney, Australia, on July 9, 2021. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler says the government has no plans to continue pandemic leave payments for individuals that must take time off work after contracting COVID-19.

Butler told ABC Radio National on Friday that the federal government did not have the financial capability to continue funding the emergency payments, which came to an end on June 30.