Month: September 2023

Coalition wins fight to save pharmacies and maintain cheaper medicines

The Coalition strongly supports Australians having access to cheaper medicines.

We support 60-day dispensing.

For months we have stood up to the Albanese Labor Government and called them out for their lack of consultation and rushed policy making, which was putting Australian’s healthcare access at risk.

We called on them to get back to the table with the community pharmacy sector and negotiate an Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement to resolve the legitimate concerns on their approach to 60-day dispensing.

Today, it is clear that our hard work has paid off.

Through the advocacy of the Coalition and community pharmacists across the country, we have supported Australians to have access to more affordable medicines without risking their local pharmacy closing.

Our focus was always on resolving the legitimate concerns that were raised for the serious impacts that unconsulted, unmodelled and rushed policy could have on patients and communities.

The Government did not adequately consult with community pharmacists before they announced this policy and they refused to model the potential flow-on impacts that this policy could have on patients, particularly the most vulnerable.

That is why we took this fight to the floor of Parliament House, on behalf of patients, communities and their local pharmacists.

The Coalition will always stand up for the best interests of Australians, and we are pleased that the Minister for Health has finally heard our calls and will immediately enter into new negotiations.

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston said that the Coalition has genuinely listened to the concerns of patients and pharmacists and was proud to fight for them.

“Pharmacists are very highly regarded members of local communities, and for this Government to totally dismiss consultation and force a measure on them that would potentially see thousands of job losses was inconceivable,” Senator Ruston said.

“We understood that rushing this policy could have significant consequences for Australians, particularly for those communities in rural and regional Australia where the local pharmacist is the only primary healthcare professional in town. Getting it wrong could force up healthcare costs for the most vulnerable Australians and reduced access to critical services and advice.”“The Coalition is the only Party that understands the importance of consultation and good policy making to ensure no one is worse off. We are proud to have forced the Government to do the right thing by patients, pharmacists and communities, and we now implore them to enter into the upcoming negotiations in good faith.”

It is harder and more expensive to see a doctor under Labor

Latest data has revealed that bulk billing rates have drastically fallen under the Albanese Labor Government.

Since Labor came into government, bulkbilling rates have been dropping consecutively every single month – The latest data showing a total Medicare bulkbilling rate of 77%, and 80.2% for non-referred GP appointments, in the 12 months to June this year.

These are the lowest bulkbilling rates recorded since 2013.

This is in stark comparison to the 12 months to June 2021, which saw rates at an all-time high of 88.8% under the Coalition.

The Albanese Government is overseeing plummeting bulk billing rates at a time when Australians are struggling to pay the bills, let alone cough up for an unexpected GP appointment.

Rates have continued to fall every month despite the Government’s Budget announcement that they will triple the bulkbilling incentive, showing they have failed to restore confidence in the system at this critical time.

Now it has become clear that changes to payroll taxes will only exacerbate this concerning trend and eat away at any potential benefit provided by their budget measure.

As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald this month, “patients are set to pay up to $20 more to see a GP” and the new State Government payroll taxes will “kill off bulkbilling”.

With wall-to-wall state Labor premiers on the mainland, it is astounding that the Albanese Government is letting the states effectively quash their bulkbilling budget measure with these changes.

The Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston said that this is a worrying double hit for patients.

“Bulkbilling rates are falling and the cost of seeing a GP is increasing, creating an unacceptable barrier for Australians in need of critical healthcare,” Senator Ruston said.

“The Albanese Government was elected with a promise to ‘strengthen Medicare’, yet all of the data is pointing in the exact opposite direction.”

“Despite all their rhetoric, the reality is that the Coalition Government oversaw record high bulkbilling rates while we were in Government, while Labor has let them fall to the lowest levels since the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years.”

“Medicare has been weakened from every angle, and Australians cannot afford for this concerning trend to continue,” Senator Ruston said.

Under the Albanese Labor Government, Medicare-subsidised mental health support has been slashed, less than half of their promised Urgent Care Clinics are operational, and 70 telehealth items have been cut from Medicare.

Australians must look at this Government’s actions and not their words.

Without urgent action from the Albanese Government to address the current decline in bulkbilling and rising health costs, Australians’ access to critical healthcare will be increasingly at risk.

It will be ‘lights out Australia’

Australia’s energy grid is under imminent threat of blackouts as soon as this summer as the Albanese Government’s energy plan drives the premature closure of baseload energy without any guarantee of replacement.

The Australian Energy Market Operator today sounded a dire warning, signalling the increased likelihood of significant energy shortfalls as renewable energy investment stalls.

Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Ted O’Brien said these warnings come as a direct consequence of Labor’s radical energy experiment.

“The market operator’s latest report is another frightening wake-up call for an incompetent federal Labor government,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Labor’s radical experiment with Australia’s energy system has created a looming crisis, with an increasing threat of blackouts as soon as this summer.”

“Australians are already paying some of the most expensive energy bills in the world and now they have been told their lights may not turn on when they need them.”

“It will only get worse if Labor continues down this dangerous path.”

The report comes as both Federal and State Governments grapple with the closure of coal fired power stations, including New South Wales’s Eraring Power Station which provides 20% of the State’s electricity.

The Shadow Energy Spokesperson called on Labor to scrap its ideological approach to energy.

“Labor must immediately stop its ideological crusade against energy technologies it doesn’t like that reliably keep the lights on,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It must adopt an ‘All the Above’ approach to energy – as the Coalition has done – to ensure a balanced mix of technologies power our grid into the future.”

“Renewables are an important part of the mix but Labor is setting them up for failure, not success, by demanding a renewables-only grid.”

“It beggars belief that while the rest of Australia grapples with soaring energy bills and an increasingly unreliable grid, our energy Minister continues to claim his policies are ‘improving the strength of the grid’.”

One year but little action on Xinjiang report

Today marks one year since the significant report by the United Nations Human Rights Office found human rights violations, including possible crimes against humanity, have been committed against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region of the People’s Republic of China.

Disappointingly there has been little action from the Albanese Government in response to this report. Despite repeated calls from the Uyghur community in Australia and offers of bipartisanship from the Coalition, Labor has chosen not to utilise the responses available to them.

The Albanese Government inaction stands in contrast to the actions taken by the European Union, UK, US and Canada who have pursued those responsible with targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes.

The Coalition, again, offers bipartisan support to the Foreign Minister and Albanese Government to use the Magnitsky-style sanctions at their disposal and send a strong message that Australia is serious about these human rights violations.

We urge the Government to build upon the bipartisan approach which delivered Australia’s Magnitsky-style sanctions, to act in a manner more consistent with Minister Wong’s pre-election statements and to accept the Coalition’s offer without further delay.

The Coalition strongly supports the OHCHR recommendations calling for the prompt release of all individuals arbitrarily deprived of their liberty and the urgent independent investigation of all allegations of human rights abuses.

Since 2018 the Australian Government has consistently, publicly and directly with the Chinese Government, raised grave concerns about the reports of human rights abuses against ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.

We also acknowledge the trauma of Uyghurs in Australia, who hold fears for their loved ones in Xinjiang, and in some cases have faced harassment and intimidation for sharing their stories publicly.

The Coalition restates our support for the UN to be given unrestricted access to Xinjiang to continue their independent investigation, and for those found to have committed human rights abuses to be held accountable.

Government rejects critical child safety recommendation from esafety commissioner. Inexplicable decision means government won’t act on age assurance

The Albanese Government has today announced its refusal to act on a critical recommendation aimed at protecting children from pornography and other online harm.

In a major report to Government, Roadmap for Age Verification, the eSafety Commissioner has recommended a pilot of Age Assurance technologies. On page 8 of the Roadmap the eSafety Commissioner included in its Recommendations for the Australian Government:

Trial a pilot before seeking to prescribe and mandate age assurance technology.

This was a significant report, commissioned by the Coalition Government, that considered options to protect children online. The report has been with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland since March this year and was not released until today.

At the same time as releasing the Report, the Minister has shut down plans for the trial recommended by the eSafety Commissioner.

Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said this was an extraordinary response by the Government.

“Every day, thousands of children access pornography online. As the eSafety Commissioner’s report notes, this can have very damaging impacts. And children are also accessing a large volume of other damaging content, such as material related to self-harm,” Mr Coleman said.

“The US Surgeon General has stated that there is ample evidence that access to damaging material online is harming the mental health of children. This is a defining issue of our era, and governments must take strong steps to protect children.

“An Age Assurance system would require technology companies to take specific steps to identify under-aged users and stop children from accessing dangerous material.

“The Government has refused to even trial an Age Assurance program, despite a clear recommendation from the eSafety Commissioner. It’s impossible to understand why the Albanese Government would not even trial such a system.

“On one hand we have a Government that wants to regulate political speech through its appalling Misinformation Bill. On the other we have a Government that refuses to trial crucial technology to keep children safe online. Minister Rowland’s decisions continue to defy logic, to the great detriment of Australians.”

Locking in the benefits of a thriving innovation sector

The NSW Innovation and Productivity Council has outlined a set of recommendations to gain more value from the state’s thriving innovation sector and to better measure the effectiveness of government support.

While the report finds that innovation ecosystems help lower the risks for startups, there’s much more to do when it comes to understanding effective ways to support them.

Accelerating NSW: the impact of coworking spaces, accelerators, incubators, and startup hubs (CAISH entities) finds that NSW is already the centre of the nation’s startup economy.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the report was a welcome contribution.

“We have a thriving community of innovators and their supporters in NSW, with a 325 per cent increase since 2013.

“NSW now has a vibrant ecosystem of innovators.

“Not enough has been done to measure their value or to examine if there are more cost-effective ways to support this part of the economy.

“While the NSW Government wants to support an environment that lets entrepreneurs learn and grow, it’s important that we can be confident that the infrastructure and programs are delivering results.

“We look forward to working with the sector to build an evidence base that measures the effectiveness of public and private interventions in this space.”

The framework can be applied to NSW Government funded programs and CAISH entities and will be integrated into the Council’s NSW Innovation and Productivity Scorecard to provide estimates on the value of CAISH entities to the NSW economy.

Council Chair Charlie Taylor said that despite significant growth in startups and support organisations over the last two decades, there is limited understanding of their impact and value to the economy.

“For the first time ever, we’ve been able to map all of NSW’s CAISH entities, and through the 64 interviews and 27 case studies conducted for the report, paint a comprehensive picture of the state’s CAISH ecosystem,” Mr Taylor said.

“Using the new framework developed by the Council in partnership with experts from the University of Technology Sydney, we can utilise data to measure the impact of these entities and their programs, to effectively measure their success and identify areas for potential improvement.”

The Council report can be viewed online. launch

Free public transport for bus drivers a major move to boost workforce

All bus drivers will be able to travel for free on public transport, as part of a major overhaul by the NSW Government to support the industry and improve services by incentivising more drivers to get behind the wheel.

The NSW Government is moving forward in delivering another of the key recommendations of the Bus Industry Taskforce Interim Report, which called for action to support driver recruitment and retention, including free Opal cards for workers.

Transport for NSW is now consulting with operators, employees and unions on the rollout of these cards, which drivers and other workers will be able to use to travel across the Opal-enabled public transport network and access all staff facilities on the Opal network throughout their shift.

This will ensure bus drivers have public transport travel benefits in line with Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink employees. Consultation will take place over the coming months.

Last month, the NSW Government kicked off a new recruitment campaign in an effort to address the bus driver shortage to help improve reliability for passengers. 

Since the start of the recruitment drive, around 450 new bus driver authorities have been issued and there have been more than 56,000 visits to the Transport for NSW recruitment webpagelaunch.

The NSW Government has already made it quicker, easier, and cheaper for drivers to get their bus driver authority by waiving the $70 application fee for the next 12 months.

Bus operators are also working to recruit more drivers, with incentives like referral bonuses of up to $6,000 and reimbursing driver onboarding costs – such as the cost of Driver Authority training and licence upgrades.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said: 

“We’re giving bus drivers a ticket to ride, with a staff Opal card so they can travel for free on the public transport network.”

“We are doing everything we can to attract new bus drivers and support our current workforce in NSW.”

“This is a no-brainer. We are taking action to address a key recommendation out of the Bus Industry Taskforce’s interim Report and support our hard-working frontline staff.”

“Drivers and operational staff like our mechanics have told us this is what they want, and we’re going to deliver on it.”

“Staff will be able to use these cards to travel across the Opal-enabled public transport network, including to and from work, and to access other facilities like train station bathrooms while they’re out on the road.”

“We want drivers to be able to comfortably take breaks between shifts, before getting back on the road and fulfilling their vital roles connecting the community.”

“The Bus Industry Taskforce will consult with employees, unions and operators over the coming months to help ensure a smooth rollout of the cards.”

“The rollout of these cards will mean every bus and train driver will be able to travel freely on the public transport network they proudly operate every day.”

$15 million puts Thornton rail bridge duplication back on track

The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to get Maitland moving again by investing $15 million into the next stage of the Thornton rail bridge duplication.

After 12 years of a Liberal-National Government prioritising building massive toll roads in Sydney at the expense of regional roads, the Minns Government is determined to get important infrastructure projects back on track.

This funding will kick off initial works and planning to duplicate the rail bridge at Thornton.

When delivered, the project will ease congestion and expand access to Thornton Road which offers a flood-free route for local residents during natural disasters.

Over the next 20 years, it’s expected Maitland will experience an increase of nearly 7000 residents and 3500 jobs, making it the fastest growing regional city in NSW.

The NSW Government is focused on providing a safe and reliable road network to this fast-growing East Maitland area to keep pace with growth.

The NSW Government will begin consultation with community members and key stakeholders over some key issues including tie in points to the north and the south of the bridge, construction over an operational rail line, utility, and property impacts.

The duplication project initially started under the former Labor Government. The former Liberal-National Government gave many commitments that the project would be delivered but it never fully eventuated.

Instead, the former government removed the cap on development north of the bridge, allowing more homes to be built in the Thornton and Chisholm without committing more funding to regional infrastructure.

The NSW Government is determined to end the failed promises of past governments and deliver for regional NSW.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The NSW Government is determined to end the previous government’s legacy of letting regional infrastructure fall behind while prioritising toll roads in Sydney.

“The NSW Government is delivering on our commitment to take the Thornton rail bridge duplication to the next stage and finally get the wheels turning on this much-needed project.

“Thornton and the surrounding areas are key to the Maitland region’s success. We must invest in key infrastructure projects to support a growing area of regional significance.

“Over the next 20 years it’s estimated we will see an increase of nearly 7000 residents and 3500 jobs, which is why we need to start work now to ensure traffic flows smoothly.

“I’m pleased to be able to be here in Thornton today, to show locals the Minns Labor government delivers on its promises.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of the hard work we’ve done to ensure Thornton residents will enjoy smooth and safe travel in future.

“NSW Labor committed $15 million during the election towards planning and early works for the duplication of Thornton rail bridge.

“This is just 1 of the many vital road projects that the former government failed to complete in 12 years. In fact, the Liberals and Nationals removed the cap on developments in Thornton North and Chisholm to enable them to avoid this essential work for more than a decade.”

“The precinct is so congested during peak periods and flooding that it may as well double as a bumper-to-bumper car park sometimes.

“This will be a game changer for essential workers who are constantly stuck in traffic and are spending hours in the car to get to work, education and medical appointments.

“As 1 of the flood-free routes connecting the northern parts of Maitland to the M1, Pacific Highway and the Hunter Expressway, the duplication of this bridge is vital for our community.

NSW Regional and Western NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said:

“This announcement is the first step in delivering a crucial infrastructure project to the Thornton region to ensure the area continues to thrive as it grows into the future.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen people flock from the cities to our regions, with this trend continuing it’s important that we invest in projects like this that support connectivity across regional and rural NSW.

“The NSW Government will continue to invest in projects just like the Thornton rail bridge duplication to ensure that as our regions continue to grow, they have the infrastructure they need to thrive and stay connected.”

$6.7 million Tomaree Coastal Walk to showcase Port Stephens’ natural beauty and boost regional tourism

The NSW Government is unveiling the Tomaree Coastal Walk, showcasing the magnificent coastline of Tomaree National Park and offering a 27km walking adventure in the heart of Port Stephens.

The $6.7 million project funded by the NSW Government will enhance tourist opportunities in the Port Stephens region beyond the traditional summer season and encourage visitors to experience new sections of Tomaree National Park.

Tomaree Head already attracts over 300,000 visitors per year and this upgrade will significantly improve the visitor experience, allowing more people to enjoy this spectacular area comfortably and safely. 

The Tomaree Coastal Walk will offer these outdoor adventurers a multi-day experience, turning day-trips into overnight stays, and providing a boost to local tourism and hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants, and accommodation providers.

The Tomaree Coastal Walk is the latest in a network of national park upgrades being established in NSW national parks, as part of a plan to transform the state into a bushwalking attraction for domestic and international visitors.

The central focus of the Tomaree Coastal Walk project is to create a continuous track linking Tomaree Head to Birubi Point.

The walk has been carefully designed and constructed so a wider range of people can access and enjoy the beauty of the Port Stephens coast. The upgrades allow wheelchair and mobility restriction.

Starting at Tomaree Head, with unparalleled views of idyllic Port Stephens and its coastline, the multi-day walk hugs the coastline of the national park, guiding visitors across rock ledges, along secluded beaches and through angophora forests via boardwalks and easy-to-navigate walking tracks.

Visitors can do self-guided walks of the entire route or tackle shorter sections of track in any direction, supported by expanded parking along the length of the walk.

The Tomaree Coastal Walk traverses the traditional lands of the Worimi people, an ancient volcanic landscape that has unique cultural, natural and historic values.

New lookouts offer panoramic views of the ocean, as well as providing ideal spots for whale watching during the annual migration of Humpback whales along Australia’s east coast.

Upgraded visitor precincts include improved parking, seating, stairs and walkways, as well as signage and artwork celebrating the cultural heritage of Worimi Country.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“This new Coastal Walk add to the NSW Government’s deep commitment to showcasing our state’s spectacular natural beauty and boost tourism in our regional communities.

“This enhancement of Tomaree National Park adds another breathtaking experience befitting this region’s fantastic landscape and our state’s environmental character.

“The Coastal Walk will entice local and tourists to come and enjoy the natural surrounds while taking the opportunity to stay overnight at local accommodation, dine in local restaurants and stop by local cafes. It’s a win-win for visitors and local businesses.

“We’re excited to see this project boost the region’s tourism economy and for visitors to enjoy this new iconic coastal experience.”

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The new Tomaree Coastal Walk will provide a first-class nature-based tourism attraction for Port Stephens, promote the natural and Aboriginal cultural heritage of Tomaree National Park, and build a valued legacy for future generations.

“This area is steeped in history, with ancient volcanic peaks, deep and on-going connection with Worimi People, rich World War 2 heritage, whales, wildflowers, and wildlife just waiting to be discovered.

“Offering a series of short, half- or multi-day walk options, walkers can choose their own adventure, with a range of accommodation options available in nearby coastal villages.

“As we enter spring, now it’s the perfect time to lace up your walking shoes and hit the trails of the Tomaree Coastal Walk.”

Minister for Families and Communities and Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

“Tomaree National Park is one of the most special places in Port Stephens, and on the planet!

“From the iconic headland to the sensational sand dunes which are part of the culturally significant Worimi Conservation Lands, the Tomaree Coastal Walk transports you somewhere stunning at every turn.

“Locals and visitors alike, will absolutely fall in love with our amazing new Tomaree Coastal Walk.”

Department of Customer Service Secretary

The Secretary for Digital and the NSW Department of Customer Service, Emma Hogan, will leave her role with the NSW Government later this year. 

Miss Hogan joined the NSW Government as the Public Service Commissioner in May 2018 and was appointed as Secretary of the Department in October 2019.

Miss Hogan will remain in the role until the end of November, unless a new Secretary is appointed earlier.  

Minister for Customer Service Jihad Dib said:

“Emma Hogan has led the department through a period of significant challenges in NSW, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Through her time as Secretary, she has demonstrated her absolute commitment to delivering digital innovation and improved customer outcomes for the NSW community.”

“The NSW Government thanks Miss Hogan for her skill, service and dedication in leading the Customer Service team, and I am personally grateful for her assistance during this transition to the Minns Labor Government. I wish her all the very best for the future.”

Secretary Emma Hogan said: 

“It has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to have worked for NSW.”

“After 4 years as Secretary, I have decided the time is right to step aside, take a break, and make space for a change of leadership and some fresh energy during the next era for the department.”  

“I couldn’t be prouder to have worked with my 13,000 teammates across the department during some unprecedented times, and I’m excited to see what they do next for and with our community under our new government’s agenda.”