Sky News host Cory Bernardi says Daniel Andrew’s decision to introduce sick leave for casual workers is a “trojan horse” for a catastrophic change which will remove so much of opportunity, flexibility and the ability to run a business.

Daniel Andrews announced on Monday his government will invest $5 million into a two-year pilot program which will offer up to five days of sick leave to casual and insecure workers.

Mr Bernardi said offering sick leave to casual workers was “not practical”.

“Casuals get paid a loading on top of their salary, their basic wage, their basic hourly rate,” Mr Bernardi said.

“The reason they get paid that is because they need flexibility, the hotel or any employer needs flexibility.

“All this stuff is being done under the guise of COVID, and it’s all the lefty wish-list.

“Everyone wants to be institutionalized, that is the left’s goal, rather than allow flexibility and personal choice.

“The right of this country are doing the left’s bidding, in the name of coronavirus, and I just think it is a trojan horse for a catastrophic change that is going to remove so much of opportunity, of flexibility, and the ability to run a business in this place.”