Category: Australian News

People living in the Midland area will have access to free mental health and wellbeing services with the opening of a new Head to Health centre, thanks to the Morrison Government.

Located at z, the centre will start delivering quality support to the people of Midland on 1 March, as part of a major national rollout of mental health services.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, and Federal Member for Hasluck, Ken Wyatt, welcomed the opening of Perth’s Head to Health centre.

“More Australians are reaching out for help when it comes to mental health issues, ending decades of stigmatisation on the issue,” Minister Hunt said.

“The Midland Head to Health centre is among the first in a network of community mental health centres that will ensure all Australians have access to high quality, person-centred care.

“The Head to Health centres provide a welcoming, stigma free, ‘no wrong door’ entry point for adults to access mental health information, services and supports.”

Assistant Minister Coleman said the centre would provide a safe place for people experiencing high levels of distress, or who are at heightened risk of suicide.

“The Australian Government is committed to working towards zero suicides and transforming the mental health system so that all Australians can access the right care and essential services, when and where they need them,” Mr Coleman said.

“Accessibility is what the Midland Head to Health Centre is all about, providing support over extended hours, without a prior appointment and at no cost.

“So if you’re suffering high levels of distress, please reach out for the support that’s now available – don’t suffer in silence.”

Federal Member for Hasluck, Ken Wyatt, said the new Head to Health Centre would help the people of Midland and surrounding suburbs to get the support they need, when they need it.

“One in every 5 Australians — about 4 million people — suffer from a mental illness in any given year, and almost half the population experience a mental disorder at some time in their life,” Minister Wyatt said.

“This facility, and others like it across the nation, will help the people of Hasluck and all Australians to have access to help.”

“Through our Government’s $2.3 billion investment in the 2021-22 Budget, Australia is transforming the mental health system to ensure that all Australians can access, high-quality, person-centred care when and where it is needed.”

As part of the 2019–20 Budget, the Government committed $114.5 million to fund the trial of eight ‘Head to Health’ Adult Mental Health Centres, with one centre to be established in each state and territory.

This network is being expanded by 32 new sites through a further $487.2 million investment that is part of the record $2.3 billion National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan announced in the 2021–22 Budget.

The expansion will add a further eight Centres and 24 satellites to start establishment across 2021-22 and 2022-23.

“Head to Health Centres will integrate with other services in the local region to offer seamless care pathways, ensuring carers and people who need support do not have to retell their story,” Mr Coleman said.

The service has been commissioned by the Perth North Primary Health Network and will be operated by St John of God.

Australians needing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au 

Anyone experiencing distress can also seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.

If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

The Australian Government is deeply concerned at Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, which is a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners – including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, NATO and the EU – to impose a high cost on Russia.

We are holding Russian President Vladimir Putin to account for his egregious unjustified war against Ukraine. From midnight last night, Australian targeted financial sanctions and travel bans came into effect on the Russian President and remaining permanent members of Russia’s Security Council: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Internal Affairs Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev.

President Putin, Foreign Minister Lavrov and Defence Minister Shoigu are directly responsible for Russia’s unprovoked and unlawful further invasion of Ukraine. It is exceedingly rare to designate a head of state, and reflects the depth of our concerns. President Putin joins a very small group that includes Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Bashar al-Assad of Syria.

Australia will work with NATO and our other partners to provide lethal as well as non-lethal military equipment, medical supplies, and financial assistance to support the people of Ukraine. As an immediate measure, Australia will contribute US$3 million to NATO’s Trust Fund for Ukraine to support non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies. Details of Australia’s contribution of lethal military equipment are being worked through with our partners and will be announced soon.

Australia will continue to work with allies and like-minded countries to impose further economic sanctions on Russia, building on the raft of travel bans and asset freezes implemented in recent days against Russia’s most influential political and military actors. So far Australia has sanctioned more than 350 Russian individuals, including corrupt oligarchs, MPs, and military commanders who are facilitating Putin’s illegal and violent ambitions. Moreover, we have sanctioned 13 Belarusian individuals and entities, including Belarusian Minister of Defence Viktor Khrenin, who has aided and abetted Putin’s aggression by allowing Russia to launch attacks from Belarus.

The Australian Government strongly supports the announcements by the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States on further restrictive economic measures against key Russian banks, institutions and individuals.

These measures include:

• removal of selected Russian banks from the SWIFT global payments messaging system
• restrictive measures to prevent the Russian Central Bank from using its international reserves in a way that undermines sanctions
• limiting so-called golden passports for wealthy Russians connected to the Russian government
• a trans-Atlantic task force to identify and freeze the assets of sanctioned individuals and companies that exist within their jurisdictions.

Together, these measures will impose severe costs on the Russian economy by disconnecting its key banks from the international financial system and disrupting Russian trade and investment flows. They will also paralyse Russia’s foreign reserves and prevent Russian officials and elites from accessing key financial systems.

While we expect that the SWIFT measures as announced will be implemented at a global level, we will take complementary steps as required.

The Australian Government reiterates our staunch support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the people of Ukraine.

Australians with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)—a condition that produces defective blood cells—will have access to a new treatment through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

PNH is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition in which red blood cells break apart prematurely. Symptoms occur because of the production of defective blood cells and because the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells.

The specific symptoms and progression of the disorder vary greatly and some individuals may have mild symptoms, which remain stable for many years; while others may have serious symptoms, which can progress to cause life-threatening complications. Blood clots are a very serious complication of PNH.

From March 1, Ultomiris^® (ravulizumab) will be listed for the first time for patients with PNH.

Ultomiris ^® protects the red blood cells from damage and destruction by blocking the body’s inflammatory response.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said around 160 Australians each year will benefit from the listing of Ultomiris ^® on the PBS.

“Without subsidy, Australians would pay around $550,000 per year for treatment, instead from March 1, they’ll pay $42.50 per script, or just $6.80 with a concession card,” Minister Hunt said.

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,800 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $14.3 billion.”

At the same time, Soliris^® (eculizumab), which has been available through the Life Savings Drug Program for the treatment of PNH, will move to the PBS.

This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

This is a strong contrast to Albanese and Labor, who when last in Government stopped listing essential medicines and treatments on the PBS.

Queenslanders in communities impacted by the unfolding flooding disaster across the state’s South East can apply for Commonwealth financial support from Monday 28 February.

The Morrison Government has activated the Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child to support people impacted by the South East Queensland flooding event that began on 22 February.

The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment and is available to eligible people in those affected local government areas who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury.

Eligible Queenslanders in the local government areas of Gympie and North Burnett can claim support via myGov or by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66 from 1pm Queensland time tomorrow (28 February).

We are closely monitoring the flood emergency and we expect further Commonwealth assistance to be extended to other impacted regions and local government areas as the flood impact is known.

Australian Defence Force personnel continue to support the emergency response efforts and will do more once the water recedes and the recovery effort starts.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will also be provided into the affected local government areas in Gympie and north Burnett, with further flood affected local government areas expected to be added in coming days, as the damage becomes clear.

The DRA assists employees, small business persons and farmers who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster. You might be eligible for a maximum of 13 weeks payment from the date you have or will have a loss of income as a direct result of a disaster. The DRA is taxable.

Since 2019-20 the Federal Government has provided $17 billion in disaster relief.

Services Australia’s Disaster Assistance phone line (180 22 66) is available for those who are unable to claim online from 1pm Queensland time tomorrow, Monday 28 February. For more information on support available, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster

First Nations rangers are trialling thermal imaging drones to track one of Australia’s rarest and most secretive wallaby species in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The endangered black-footed rock-wallaby, or wiliji as it is known by Traditional Owners in the area, is a small and extremely agile animal that darts among rocky outcrops and caves, making it challenging to find and track.

A population once thought to be more than 2,500 strong has plummeted to an estimated 500 due to the impact of introduced predators and indiscriminate wildfires.

The Nyikina Mangala Rangers have been successfully monitoring the elusive wallabies using sensor cameras since 2013. However, it takes months to process imagery and model data as cameras are retrieved weeks after deployment.

A partnership between Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation (WAC), Charles Darwin University (CDU), and the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF-Australia) is seeking to solve this problem using a combination of traditional knowledge and cutting edge technology.

Rangers and researchers are seeing if multirotor drones can provide a more timely and cost-efficient method to capture population data. It is the first time drones have been used to monitor wiliji.

CDU researchers have provided drone training to Nyikina Mangala Rangers like William Watson so they can continue to conduct surveys.

“We’ve been handpicked to represent our tribe and protect our Country, which means we need to work together with modern-day science now. We’re here to do a job for our old people and our young people,” Mr Watson said.

“Modern science and traditional techniques work hand-in-hand to get a better outcome.”

Contracted by WAC, postdoctoral research fellow at CDU’s Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods (RIEL), Rebecca Rogers has been on field trips with a CDU Bachelor of Environmental Science student Aliesha Hvala to the Erskine Range near Broome to gather drone data.

“We want to find out how many black-footed rock-wallabies are in the area, where they go and what other animals they might be interacting with,” Ms Rogers said.

Ms Rogers said in initial trials, the thermal camera installed on the drones was able to detect the heat signature of the wallabies and could cover a large area in a short period of time.

“We were also able to detect feral cats on the plateau, which are a potential threat to this species,” she said.

“We hope this information will help rangers to better manage predator populations and protect the black-footed rock wallaby from the threat of extinction.”

WWF-Australia’s WA Species Conservation Manager Dr Leigh-Ann Woolley said it is vital to understand this culturally important species so rangers can monitor population response to any management interventions they apply, such as fire and feral cat management.

“The thermal imaging drones could be a game changer,” Dr Leigh-Ann Woolley said.

“They allow us to monitor the wiliji when they leave their rocky outcrops and caves at night. And if the drone survey method proves to be accurate and reliable, it has the potential to be applied to other rock-wallaby populations across Australia.”

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia has registered 22 ‘Clean-Up Australia Day’ sites nationwide and members will enthusiastically take part in large numbers.

The National President and Missionary In-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia, Mr. I.H. Kauser said:

“Each year hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims take part in Clean Up Australia Day. Islam reinforces the importance of cleanliness on individual and societal levels. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said that cleanliness is part of faith. Hence it is our responsibility to keep our surroundings neat and clean. Clean-Up Australia Day is a great cause and we all must participate in the nation’s largest community-based environmental event.”

About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a very peaceful, law-abiding, nonviolent and loving community. Founded in 1889, the Community spans more than 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organisation to categorically reject terrorism in any form. Similarly, the Ahmadiyya Community is the only Islamic organisation to endorse a separation of mosque and state. Today, it continues to be an advocate for universal human rights and protection for religious and other minorities. It champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world.

From Friday 25 February 2022, following a request by Queensland Police, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) commenced assistance to Queensland authorities and communities in the South-East of the state, affected by severe flooding.

Two Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan helicopters from the School of Army Aviation, based at Oakey near Toowoomba, immediately commenced search and rescue operations on Friday evening. The helicopters are crewed by Australian Army personnel and Defence contractors.

Aircrews continue to conduct rescues under extremely difficult weather conditions and an additional 200 ADF personnel are on standby and making preparations to further support efforts at the direction of the State Government.

An Albanese Labor Government will invest $1 million to upgrade Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s Inner West.

The upgrades will include a landscaped Waterplay area with BBQs and a shared recreation space. The Waterplay area will include;

• A combination of waterplay features allowing interactive aquatics play, as well as seating, grassed areas and biodiverse plants.
• a zero-depth water play area where children can play safely.
• Accessible design features ensuring inclusivity for all.

This important contribution will complement commitments already made by the Inner West Council to upgrade the Aquatic Centre.

“I am delighted to announce this funding for upgrades to Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre,” Anthony Albanese, Member for Grayndler and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, said.

“The Inner West community has embraced upgrades to Dawn Fraser Baths and the Ashfield Aquatic Centre. I’m sure the local community will benefit from these upgrades just as much.”

“Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre is a fantastic facility and community hub which has been enjoyed since 1961. This investment will ensure that the pool continues to be enjoyed by our local swimmers and families for generations to come.”

With First Nations vaccination rates lagging across Western Australia and the state’s  largest remote First Nations community now in lockdown, The Greens have today again called on the WA Government to lift vaccination rates for First Nations people.

With WA recording 617 new cases and Premier Mark McGowan warning of a new 1,000+ daily case total, vaccination rates for First Nations people are “disgraceful”, Yamatji-Noongar woman and Australian Greens Senator for WA Dorinda Cox said today.

The rate of double vaccinated First Nations people in Western Australia is reportedly sitting about 25 per cent below the overall state figure – at 70 per cent, compared to 95 per cent. 

“It is disgraceful that into the third year of this pandemic, governments at all levels are still leaving First Nations people behind,” Senator Cox said today. 

“As COVID numbers go up, our communities are more vulnerable than ever. First Nations people know what is best for our communities, and should be better supported in their health promotion efforts to get more vaccines in the arms of vulnerable people. Aboriginal-led health organisations are best placed to lead on this. 

“The Liberals botched the vaccine rollout last year, but with case numbers on the rise, there is absolutely no reason for this level of incompetence to continue.”

It comes as seventeen people have tested positive in Bidyadanga since Wednesday – a community now in lockdown.

“As a Malgana woman, I am horrified to see that COVID has made its way into the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community,” Bianca McNeair, Malgana woman, and Greens candidate for Durack said today.

“First Nations COVID vaccination rates in WA continue to lag behind the rest of the population, with some Aboriginal communities still less than 50 percent vaccinated.’ 

‘It is disappointing that the major parties have failed to properly support our regional and remote health systems. The McGowan Government needs to do more to ensure First Nations communities are protected from COVID, especially once the domestic and international borders are lifted on March 3.”

To stop coal communities collapsing, every coal worker should have a decade of generous financial support, including wage subsidies to assist in moving to paid employment in new industries including renewables, minerals mining and green manufacturing, retrain, or take an early retirement, Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt MP has announced today.

Announcing the $19 billion community support package and Job-for-Job Guarantee in Newcastle today, Mr Bandt will meet with coal workers to outline how the generous package will mean they will have long term financial certainty, and their communities will continue to thrive beyond coal.

The plan is the latest climate announcement in the Greens balance of power push for this election, with Mr Bandt saying the Greens will make it a priority in balance of power in the next Parliament to kick the Liberals out and develop a national plan to support coal workers and communities.

Before entering Parliament, Mr Bandt represented coal-fired power station workers, helping protect their wages and conditions against attacks from big power corporations. Mr Bandt has also previously visited coal communities across the country to discuss the need for a jobs plan that supports workers as we phase out coal.

Funded by taxing Australia’s billionaires and big coal and gas corporations, the Greens’ plan for coal workers includes three interlocking components:

1. Establish a Job-for-Job Guarantee with workforce pooling to ensure workers get good jobs without loss of pay as coal is phased out.
2. Create local authorities that bring each coal community together to develop their plans for new employment overseen by a National Coal Communities Commission; and
3. Finance those locally developed plans with an initial $2.8bn seeding through an independent National Coal Communities Commission.

The Job-for-Job Guarantee package will provide 50% of a coal worker’s wage for a decade, provided as a wage subsidy to employers who provide an equivalent paying job. Workers over 55 will be able to receive the wage subsidy for up to 12 years as they transition to retirement. Workers who cannot find alternative work can receive the subsidy directly. 

A generous financial support package to support coal workers move to new industries was a central component of the successful strategy employed by Germany to phase out their coal industry without a single worker losing their job.

The Greens plan builds on and supports the work and proposals being developed by local communities such as the recent plan put forward by the Hunter Jobs Alliance – Future-proofing the Hunter.

This announcement sits side by side with the Greens’ initiatives to invest billions of dollars to grow new industries in affected regions. In addition to the Diversifying Coal Communities Fund, the investment mandates of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and Export Finance Australia will be amended to prioritise the financing of the plans developed by local authorities. 

The Greens have already announced a jobs-rich $40bn plan to convert Snowy Hydro into a massive renewables generator, with a big build of solar, wind and storage, creating over 110,000 jobs, many of which will be in current coal and gas areas and able to access the Job-for-Job Guarantee subsidies. The Greens will also announce further plans to grow new industries in coal and gas areas, including in manufacturing, steel and energy, as well as in the mining of minerals necessary in a zero emissions world. 

The Greens plan is based on Australia exiting thermal coal by 2030, but will also extend the timetable for the phase-out of metallurgical coal until 2040, ensuring there is enough time to transition to replacements in the manufacture of green steel and other products.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP said:

“Change is happening quickly but there’s no plan for coal workers,” said Mr Bandt.

“Governments are leaving coal workers exposed. With coal closures being brought forward and our coal customers moving to zero emissions, Australia is sleepwalking into the closure of the coal industry, but every single worker is being told by the Liberal and Labor parties that they have nothing to worry about. 

“Liberal and Labor are lying to workers and communities, saying coal can keep going for decades when science says it clearly can’t. 

“The Greens’ plan secures new jobs for coal workers, including in mining and energy, without loss of pay. 

“In many places around the country the best job for a coal worker is another mining job, and the Greens’ plan will help make that a reality. There are enormous opportunities in developing critical minerals and green metal processing.

“Australia doesn’t need to shut down the mining industry, we’ve just got to get out of coal.

“We can’t have a devastating repeat of the collapse of our car manufacturing industry. Instead of leaving their fate in the hands of overseas boardrooms of big corporations, the Greens plan gives local communities control over their future.

“We owe coal workers a debt of thanks for powering our country. We don’t need to choose between taking urgent climate action and supporting coal communities. We can do both.”

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said:

“The move away from coal may be a win for the climate, but we must make it a win for workers as well,” said Mr Shoebridge.

“Across the Hunter, coal workers know that the clock is ticking on coal. They’re watching local coal-fired power stations bring forward closures, seeing ships from fewer nations arrive for our coal, and can hear the demands for a safer future getting stronger and more urgent.

“Eraring’s accelerated closure is literally the canary in the coal mine. It’s telling us that whether we like it or not, the end of coal isn’t decades away, but years and months. 

“Coal workers have powered our nation and contributed to our national wealth for a long time, we must not leave them behind. 

“I don’t want Newcastle’s future to be determined by corporate bosses in New York or Sydney or politicians in Canberra. 

“The Hunter Valley Authority will kickstart new local industries, while the Job-for-Job Guarantee will help employers take on new staff and ensure every worker knows they’ll be able to pay the bills for the next decade.

“The Hunter’s opportunities are endless. With its deepwater port, Newcastle will be a crucial hydrogen export hub – exporting solar and wind power to Asia, plus products manufactured locally with endless and cheap renewable energy. 

“We need to make this transition a win for the economy and the region. If state and federal government stop lying about the future of coal and start planning for change, we’ll get a win for workers and the climate.”