Aboriginal medical service demands urgent change to work-for-dole rules to reduce coronavirus risk

Northern Territory peak body says it wrote to minister six days ago but has not had reply

The peak Aboriginal medical service of the Northern Territory says it wrote to the federal minister Ken Wyatt six days ago asking for work-for-the-dole activities to be suspended "on public health grounds" to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission in vulnerable remote communities, but did not receive a response.

"We are disappointed that the minister has not responded to our letter," said the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory chief executive, John Paterson.