Meeting of National Cabinet

Today National Cabinet met virtually to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and receive an update from Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly.

First Ministers agreed to extend the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment (PLDP) at current rates beyond 30 September 2022.

The payment will remain available for as long as mandatory isolation periods are applied by all States and Territories.

First Ministers agreed to cap the maximum number of PLDP claims an individual can make in a six month period to three.

Press Conference - Sydney

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for joining me. Today, the National Cabinet has met virtually to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and received an update from Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly. First Ministers agreed to extend the pandemic leave disaster payment at current rates beyond the 30th of September. The payment will remain available for as long as mandatory isolation periods are applied by all states and territories.

Radio Interview - ABC Radio Sydney

JAMES VALENTINE. HOST: Mr Albanese, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, James. Good to be with you.

HOST: Thanks so much for coming on. Are you feeling the historic weight of this moment? It's Churchill to Truss, it's Eisenhower to Biden, it's Menzies to Albanese. That's the Queen's reign. Are you feeling that way?

Television interview - ABC News Breakfast

LISA MILLAR, HOST: Good morning to you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Lisa.

MILLAR: The last couple of days have been pretty amazing, the scenes we have seen. You have announced the public holiday. I've got to tell you, PM, we're getting a bit of feedback into the program from people concerned about that public holiday, concerned about small business, hospitals, doctors, what is your message to them this morning?

Press Conference - Parliament House, Canberra

PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE: Australians continue to express their grief and gratitude for the life of service from Queen Elizabeth II. This morning, I wanted to update you on some of the arrangements that have been put in place for the return of Parliament that I foreshadowed yesterday. As people are aware, on the 22nd September, the day after I and the Governor-General return to Australia from Her Majesty's funeral, we will host the National Memorial in the Great Hall which will be held at 11am on that day.