Calls to Expand the Disaster Payments Scheme

Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino speaks to the media during a press conference on June 02, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Scott Morrison is facing demands from a government MP to expand coronavirus disaster payments to regional areas copping lingering lockdown fallout.

The prime minister has announced a new scheme to offer affected workers up to $500 when shutdowns in virus hotspots last longer than one week.