Tag: mark butler

Australian Government Stops Pandemic Leave Payment Citing Ongoing Costs

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…


Major Australian Political Parties to Increase Funding for Northern Territory

The Coalition and the Labor party have pledged to provide the Northern Territory with millions of dollars to help it deal with rising crimes, generate more jobs and improve health care for Indigenous people. Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised on April 24 that the federal government would spend $14 million (US$10 million) on a community-led…


Claims That Govt Redirected RAT Tests Are ‘Categorically Untrue’: PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described allegations that the Commonwealth was requisitioning rapid antigen tests (RATs) as “categorically untrue,” saying the government “would never do that” and that the tests are being prioritised for vulnerable Australians. The prime minister’s comments come after suppliers Werko, Star Hygiene, and HiCraft accused the federal government of diverting…