Regional Victorians financially affected by the COVID lockdown for the past week will miss out on a new payment announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
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Those locked down for seven days or more due to coronavirus lockdown will be offered federal government disaster payments worth up to $500 but complex rules will apply.
The new measures will apply to all parts of Australia designated as a virus hotspot by the federal government.
Since regional Victoria's lockdown only lasted a week, people from outside the city are not eligible.
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Mr Morrison is keen to split the costs 50-50 with affected states and will discuss the idea with premiers and chief ministers at a national cabinet meeting on Friday.
Labor has blamed the federal government's failure to build more quarantine facilities and slow progress on the vaccination rollout for the lockdown
The prime minister denied the announcement was an admission his government was partially responsible for shutting the state down.
"It's an admission that the Commonwealth responds to disasters," he said.
Mr Morrison said he had not received a request for more vaccines from Victoria despite the state's deputy chief health officer saying Pfizer stocks were running low.
"If there are issues that need to be addressed there then we are happy to address them," he said.
The federal government refused to offer Victoria a financial support package during the first week of lockdown.
But the second week of lockdown intensified the pressure on Mr Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to intervene.
"This fourth lockdown has hit Victorians very hard and that is why the payment the prime minister has announced is so important," Mr Frydenberg said.
Partners in Wellbeing helpline provides one-to-one wellbeing support and free access to financial counsellors to businesses. Call 1300 375 330.
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