Month: December 2021

Australia’s global reputation as an immunisation nation has continued, as parents protect their children from disease at record rates.
Australians have embraced vaccination against COVID-19, it has helped to save lives and protect lives.
In addition, the nation has continued our excellent record of vaccination against other serious diseases, to protect ourselves and especially our children.
Data from the year to September 2021 shows Australia has remained above our target of 95% vaccination of five year old children.
With 95.12% of all five year olds fully vaccinated, we have achieved a level of herd immunity which can stop vaccine-preventable diseases spreading in the community.
Importantly, this is the fourth quarter in which the rolling one-year average has remained above 95%—a fantastic achievement when compared to the rate of 74.4% in 2005 when immunisation rates for five year olds were first recorded.
The vaccination rate for five year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continues to be above the national average, at 97.02 per cent.
It is also well above the estimated World Health Organization international average immunisation coverage rate of 86 per cent for five year olds, making Australia a world leading vaccination nation.
Among two year olds, the rates of full vaccination continue to be strong at 92.56 per cent in the 12 months to September 2021. We continue to strive and work with parents and practitioners to drive this number towards 95%.
Coverage for one year old children was 94.76%. Coverage for one year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children was 92.90%.
The past two years may have caused issues for some families, leading to delays in following the vaccination schedule for themselves or their children. Now is the time to consult with your medical professional and get back on track.
The National Immunisation Program provides free, proven vaccines against serious diseases including hepatitis B, whooping cough, measles and polio.
Anyone who has questions about the vaccination schedule for themselves or their children should talk to their GP and organise a catch up schedule if needed.
The Australian Government strongly supports immunisation and invests more than $400 million a year in the National Immunisation Program, delivering safe, effective vaccines for all Australians.
Parents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged five years and younger were specifically targeted by a recent government education campaign on childhood immunisation.
Our world leading childhood vaccination rates of over 95% for other medical conditions gives us great confidence that families will embrace COVID-19 vaccination for children when they become available in the coming weeks.

The global search has started for five leaders who will help shape the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Australian and Queensland Governments have jointly commissioned global executive search firm Odgers Berndtson to identify five independent directors, including the President, to the Board of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (OCOG).
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the appointment of Odgers Berndtson as the executive search partner would help attract people with world-class skills and experience.
“I’m delighted that the Australian and Queensland Governments will work with Odgers Berndtson to identify, attract and secure the best talent for these important positions,” the Premier said.
“The OCOG will be responsible for driving Brisbane 2032 forward and delivering a great Olympic and Paralympic Games. To do this we need to recruit the best people in the world.”
The Queensland Government passed its legislation to establish the OCOG as an independent statutory body in the final Parliament sitting week of the year.
Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the OCOG appointments will continue the partnership between the Australian and the Queensland governments.
“The five independent directors, including the President of OCOG, will be jointly determined by the Premier and the Prime Minister, emphasising the collaborative working relationship between the two governments” Minister Colbeck said.
“The rigorous recruitment process will ensure an unparalleled line-up of Board directors working in the best interests of Queenslanders and all Australians.”
AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll says the five roles are vital in delivering the Games and the legacies.
“These independent positions are important. From the AOC perspective, there’s such a great opportunity to supercharge sport in Queensland and Australia more broadly. The right people will help us achieve that goal.
The independent directors will complement the OCOG Board’s diverse range of skills and experience.
Premier Palaszczuk said the OCOG Board Directors need to reflect the diversity of communities in Queensland and across Australia.
“At least one of the independent directors will be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and there will be balanced representation of men and women, so that local, national, and international partners create a lasting legacy for Queensland and the nation,” she said.
Suitable applicants should email Odgers Berndtson via BrisbaneOCOG@odgersberndtson.com to receive further information.
Background:
The Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) Board will be made up of the following:

• Five independent directors jointly agreed by the Premier and Prime Minister (with one being the President and at least one being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander)
• Four persons nominated by the Prime Minister
• Four persons nominated by the Premier
• The Lord Mayor of Brisbane
• One person nominated by the Lord Mayor
• The President or Honorary Life President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)
• The President of Paralympics Australia (PA)
• Any member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) residing in Australia
• Any member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board residing in Australia
• The Chief Executive Officer of the AOC
• A recent Olympic athlete as confirmed by the AOC Athletes’ Commission
• A recent Paralympic Athlete as confirmed by the PA Athletes’ Commission.

As Australia’s arts and entertainment sector continues to recover from COVID-19, 63 organisations are set to share in more than $19.5 million under the sixth batch of grants from the $200 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund — with a strong focus on supporting regional and remote communities.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the $19.5 million that will flow to the latest recipients of the RISE Fund is supporting nearly 21,000 jobs in more than 600 locations, more than half of which are located in regional and remote Australia.
“The Morrison Government’s objective, in providing this record level of funding for arts and entertainment, is that as the vaccine rollout continues at a strong pace and states and territories open up, arts companies, promoters and festivals are ready to go,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This is an important stage in the resurgence of Australia’s arts and entertainment sector, with this targeted RISE funding providing an opportunity for venues to reopen to audiences; curtains to rise; and performers to come back on stage to a welcoming roar of applause.”
Amongst the 63 projects being funded, some highlights include:

• $390,000 for Melbourne Chamber Orchestra to deliver a program of events in regional, outer-urban and metropolitan Victoria with online streaming: including orchestral concerts, chamber music performances and performances for children.
• $400,000 for Brisbane Powerhouse to deliver Hap Wah Night Market, with high quality handmade objects by Queensland designers and artists, high-impact art and performance, and local produce.
• $1,000,000 for Gympie Muster to deliver the Gympie Music Muster Revival, showcasing Australian artists at one of the country’s favourite outdoor music and camping festivals.

Member of the Creative Economy Taskforce and Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet, Li Cunxin AO, said the funding is being well-distributed across Australia and there is strong diversity of art forms and support for small to medium organisations.
“RISE continues to be an important mechanism for supporting the recovery of the arts and entertainment sector and thousands of jobs, particularly in regional and remote locations. The funding will assist with mobilising tourism and other industries in regional areas which benefit from events and activities, and which have been significantly affected by COVID-19 impacts,” Mr Cunxin said.
The Morrison Government has now allocated more than $179 million of the $200 million RISE Fund, creating 190,000+ job opportunities and expanding cultural and creative experiences for audiences across Australia.

The Morrison Government today launches an education program to help aged care providers strengthen organisational governance and leadership.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said strong leadership within the sector is critical for driving the cultural change required for high-quality levels of care.
The “Governing for Reform in Aged Care” education program is an important component of the Government’s once-in-a-generation aged care reform plan aimed at supporting providers to fulfil responsibilities to consumers.
“The Government recognises the importance of strong leadership and governance to drive the cultural change required to support the reforms in aged care,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This education program is an investment in our future aged care system and will enhance leadership and governance skills across the sector.
“All aged care providers need to review their current practices to ensure they are ready to embrace the future”.
The program will be led by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and will specifically target all leaders and members of governing bodies of approved aged care, aiming for approximately 3700 participants.
Enrolment in the program is free and will continue to June 2023.
The initiative is part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and is aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
Minister Colbeck said it was an opportunity for leaders and governing bodies to play an active part in the transformation of culture across the sector.
“The Morrison Government is committed to providing senior Australians with access to care that supports their dignity and recognises the contribution that they have made, and continue to make, to our society.”
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson, will invite all aged care leaders and governing bodies to register their interest and participate in the program.
The Government is investing an unprecedented $17.7 billion in aged care reform, in response to the Royal Commission.
A key pillar of the reform package is to strengthen governance and leadership of aged care boards that can support better quality and safety of care for senior Australians.
You can read more about the aged care provider governance capability program here.