Meeting of National Cabinet

Media release
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister

With the announcement of the 2025 federal election, the caretaker period is now in effect.

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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.

National Cabinet agreed the Commonwealth and States and Territories would continue 50:50 cost-sharing arrangements for the payment.

First Ministers also agreed to a National Cabinet Statement on the National Day of Mourning to honour the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II on 22 September 2022. A copy of the statement is available on federation.gov.au.

The National Cabinet remains committed to working together on national priorities and will meet again in Canberra at the end of the month.