PM: Need to Adapt to New Normal for Six Months

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison said for the next six months there is a “new normal” as we respond to the pandemic.

“We are slowing the spread…and it is saving lives and livelihoods,” said Mr Morrison.

To help parents stay in work, childcare will be free, effective from Sunday night.

Child care centres will prioritise children, with the most important being essential workers and vulnerable children.

The existing means testing for parents is no longer in place, to ensure everyone who is working is able to access child care.

The government has also announced changes to 103 awards, which will allow for two weeks unpaid pandemic leave and double the duration of leave at half the pay.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Chinese community, who in the early days of the pandemic helped to contain and limit the spread of the virus, which he described as “incredibly important…in allowing us to get ahead of this.”