Coronavirus, Employment

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:15): My question is to the Premier. Outside workers compensation, can the Premier cite a source of financial support a contract casual worker, such as a hospital cleaner, would be able to get access to if they contracted COVID-19 through their workplace? Mr Speaker, with your leave and that of the house, I would be happy to explain.

Leave granted.

The SPEAKER: Minister for Transport.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: I was going to move a point of order that the question in its construction is hypothetical.

The SPEAKER: Since leave has been granted, minister—and I respect what you are saying—I am going to allow the question. However, I take the point of order, and given the previous line of questioning I think it is in order. Leader, could we start from the beginning and then I will give the Premier an opportunity to answer, if that's okay, members. Thank you.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: Do you want me to read the question and then seek leave again?

The SPEAKER: No, just as is, the exact question.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: Outside workers compensation, can the Premier cite a source of financial support a contract casual worker would be able to get access to if they contracted COVID-19 through their workplace. Mr Speaker, with your leave and that of the house, I would be happy to explain.

The SPEAKER: Yes.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: A contract cleaner in a hospital, for instance, should they contract COVID-19—or a check-out operator, or a nurse—would not be able to get access to sick leave, would not be able to get access to the JobSeeker payment and would not be able to get access to the JobKeeper payment. What source of financial support would they have access to without workers compensation?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:16): I don't have any details of the particular case that you are referring to in terms of their contract of employment, or what specific provisions there might be in their contract of employment, but if you've got something specific that you would like—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, you can't just ask a question about anybody who might contract the COVID virus. It is a very hypothetical question. I am trying to give you a sensible answer, but it really depends on—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —who they were employed by, what that contract of employment was, what the terms of that contract were, and if you're happy to provide the specific details it is something that we can seek some advice on and come back to the house.