Category: Australian News

The Morrison Government will send a clear international signal of Australia’s world-leading Antarctic leadership with an $804.4 million investment over the next ten years to strengthen our strategic and scientific capabilities in the region.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the package would both strengthen Australia’s national interests in Antarcticaand be a jobs boost for Australians through local procurement.

“The money we are investing in drone fleets, helicopters and other vehicles will enable us to explore areas of East Antarctica’s inland that no country has ever been able to reach before,” the Prime Minister said.

“My Government will continue to back our world-class scientists and expeditioners with the necessary funding and resources, because their research on the frozen continent and in the southern ocean is critically important to Australia’s future.

“Our ongoing investment in Antarctica will directly support jobs at home, with Australian businesses, contractors, medical suppliers and providores reaping the benefits of local procurement.

“Our $800 million commitment supports the next decade of Australia’s operations in Antarctica and provides more opportunities for local businesses across Australia that support this work, especially in Tasmania.”

The new measures include:

• $136.6 million to support Australia’s inland traverse capability, critical charting activities, mobile stations, environmental protection and other core activities
• $109 million to increase aerial and inland capability:
  • $60.6 million for drone fleets and other autonomous vehicles able to map inaccessible and fragile areas of East Antarctic, establishing an ‘Antarctic eye’ with integrated censors and cameras feeding real-time information
  • $35 million for four new medium lift helicopters with a range of 550 kilometres that when launched from the Nuyina can access parts of the continent we could never reach previously
  • $13.6 million for capability development to further enhance Australia’s reach inland including investigations into modern intracontinental aeroplanes
• $44.2 million in additional shipping support to enable the RSV Nuyina to focus on extended science voyages
• $17.4 million for marine science in the Southern Ocean and a new state-of-the-art krill aquarium in Hobart
• $14.3 million for environmental management including a ‘Cleaner Antarctica Strategy’ to remove legacy waste and to establish new ‘geographic information system’ technology to support environmental management
• $7.4 million for research focused on Antarctic ice sheet science to build global understanding of climate change impacts – improving our ability to support Pacific partners to monitor information about climate and oceans, including sea level rise
• $3.4 million to enhance Australia’s international engagement to support the rules and norms of the Antarctic Treaty system and promote Australia’s leadership in Antarctic affairs

The new funding package also includes $92.2 million a year from 2026-27 to further support Antarctic activities.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne said the package would reinforce Australia’s commitment to the Antarctic Treaty system, and to promoting Tasmania as the gateway to East Antarctica.

“Our investments are a clear marker of our enduring commitment to the Antarctic Treaty system, its scientific foundations, and Australia’s leadership within it,” Minister Payne said.

“The investment will also strengthen Tasmania’s status as an international science hub and pave the way for more opportunities in the years ahead as we continue to work on further projects such as the Antarctic Science and Research Precinct under the Hobart City Deal.”

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the package will significantly enhance our scientific capability which is at the heart of our leadership within the Treaty system.

“When I sit down with world leaders to discuss the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean in the face of increasing pressures, the strategic importance of our scientific leadership is clear,” Minister Ley said.

“We need to ensure that the Antarctic remains a place of science and conservation, one that is free from conflict and which is protected from exploitation.

“Science is the key to that future. This investment, together with the window of discovery that is already being opened through RSV Nuyina, will reflect Australia’s commitment to our sovereignty in the Australian Antarctic Territory and its leading voice in the region.”

The Morrison Government will invest more than $86 million over five years to support the establishment of new plantations for our future wood supply.

The Government will partner with states and territories to deliver this through a grants program, backing in a key component of the National Forest Industries Plan.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that timber was a critical national resource and the Government was committed to securing its future supply.

“This program is about getting more trees in the ground and securing an Australian supply of timber for future generations,” said the Prime Minister.

“Australia has 1.77 million hectares of plantations and we want that to grow further, that’s why we’re making the largest investment of any Australian Government in this space for more than 30 years.

“Getting more trees in the right places will help to meet future demand for wood products, which at a global scale is expected to quadruple by 2050.

“The farming, fishing and forestry sectors are projected to be worth $84 billion in production value this year and my Government will keep doing everything we can to see that grow even further.”

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said this program would have long-lasting benefits for rural and regional communities.

“This program will create jobs in regional Australia, not just in the planting phase, but in 25 or 30 years’ time when that wood is harvested and processed into a truss, a timber frame or an engineered wood product,” Minister Littleproud said.

“We want to partner with states and territories who own and manage forestry resources to plan for the future and turbo-charge this industry.

“Forestry is a renewable, sustainable industry that continues to create jobs in the regions and delivers quality, Australian-made products for this country.”

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam said that this commitment was a clear indication that only a Morrison Government could be trusted to back-in the future of the forestry sector.

“In contrast to the Labor party who are intent on shutting our sustainable, world-class forest industries down, we are focused on growing them,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

“We have worked hand-in-hand with industry to address the immediate and long-term challenges facing this sector, and will continue to back them in every step of the way.

“Whether it is opening access to carbon credits, providing support following the Black Summer bushfires, or this important $86 million investment in growing our plantation estate, our Government will always support this sector and the rural communities that rely upon it.”

For more information on the program visit: www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry

Australia welcomes back visitors from the rest of the world from today.

The first international flights carrying tourists are due to land across the country today, as Australia reopens its borders to double vaccinated arrivals.

The return of double vaccinated international visitors will reinvigorate Australia’s tourism sector, that supports 660,000 jobs and contributed $60.4 billion to the economy in 2018-19.

There are more than 1.23 million student, visitor and working holiday maker visa holders offshore who, if vaccinated, will be able to travel to Australia from 21 February 2022. Since November, 92,000 visitors, 80,000 international students, 35,000 skilled visa holders and 5,600 Working Holiday Makers have arrived in Australia.

Fifty-six international flights are due to arrive in Australia on Monday, including 27 into Sydney, from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Japan and other destinations.

To celebrate the return of international arrivals, Australia has rolled out the welcome mat, with special events planned at Sydney International Airport.

The first visitors back in Sydney will be greeted with gifts of Vegemite and toy koalas and kangaroos, an iconic Surf Life Saving crew and a DJ playing Australia’s favourite tunes.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the return of international arrivals was an important step in Australia’s COVID-19 recovery.

“Australia’s health and economic response to the pandemic has been among the best in the world, with one of the highest vaccination rates and low mortality,” Mr Tehan said.

“We are successfully managing the pandemic and learning to live with the virus. Australians are travelling overseas, and we are welcoming international visitors to our country.

“International tourists will come here to see our iconic attractions, sample our world-leading food and drink, learn about our Indigenous culture, and enjoy the Australian way of life.

“Australia is the best country in the world and we’re excited to be sharing it with the rest of the world again.

Tourism Australia has launched a $40 million international marketing campaign to coincide with the reopening of our international borders as the first step in a long-term strategy to restart tourism to Australia, with further investment in tourism marketing campaigns internationally to come in the second half of the year.

Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia, and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.

Tasmania will share in the benefits of a $1 billion defence industry contract signed by the Morrison Government last year, with around 55 new jobs to be created at Wynyard-based manufacturing company Elphinstone.

Elphinstone will manufacture 45 turrets and hulls for the Australian Army’s new Huntsman howitzers, delivering a major boost to Tasmania’s defence industry.

This is part of a $1 billion defence contract for new self-propelled howitzers for the Australian Army which was last year awarded to Hanwha Defense Australia, based in Greater Geelong.

Elphinstone will complete the steel fabrication, machining and painting of the turrets and hulls at their Wynyard factory, before shipping them to Hanwha in Geelong where the Huntsman vehicles will be assembled.

The Prime Minister said this was a major vote of confidence in Elphinstone and Tasmania.

“My Government will always back Tasmanians and ensure they benefit from our significant investment in defence industry,” the Prime Minister said.

“After decades specialising in mining manufacturing capabilities, Elphinstone has secured its first defence contract – this is a big win for our highly skilled workers in Wynyard.

“As manufacturing ramps up, around 55 new jobs will be created for locals in north-west Tasmania, in so many roles, including boilermaker welders, painters, fitters, machinists and other trades.

“Tasmanians should be proud that they will be significant contributors to increasing the firepower and security of Australian artillery capability.

“My Government can always be trusted to keep our nation and our region safe and to protect our interests in a rapidly changing global environment.”

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Australian industry will play a vital role delivering and sustaining the Huntsman howitzers.

“Right across the country we are backing our small and medium businesses and creating local jobs, and Elphinstone is a prime example of this commitment to grow our defence industry,” Minister Price said.

“Tasmania has a formidable reputation for exporting niche, high-quality products and services to the world.

“I have no doubt it will continue to make an outstanding contribution to our Government’s Defence programs, boosting statewide employment and economic opportunities.

“Our Defence investments are giving Elphinstone an important opportunity to diversify its manufacturing operations.

“Our decision to back Australian industry is a demonstration of our determination to ensure that we have the ability to maintain a lethal, relevant and effective sovereign defence capability in Australia.”

In addition to the manufacture of turrets and hulls, Elphinstone will also undertake structural repairs over the life of the howitzers, including design changes and modifications in the future.

The Australian Workers’ Union is calling on the Prime Minister to put David Littleproud’s disastrous new Agriculture Visa out of its misery, after it was revealed Asian nations are now formally withdrawing from even considering it.

Media reports today reveal The Philippines has formally withdrawn from discussions with other southeast Asian nations looking set to follow.

The Agriculture Visa, originally billed by Mr Littleproud as being more convenient for farmers due to containing even fewer safeguards than existing Pacific Island visas, has failed to attract the support of Asian nations.

The Australian Workers’ Union has opposed the introduction of the visa, arguing it would make already endemic levels of exploitation and abuse in the horticulture sector worse.

“The meetings we’ve had with ambassadors are confidential. But if there are nations now formally withdrawing from engagement with the visa I can confirm that is entirely consistent with the the tenor of the discussions we’ve been having. I would expect to see the others following suit shortly,” said AWU National Secretary Daniel Walton.

“Littleproud and his mates in the Nats have been bloviating and carrying on, accusing our union of treason and of being un-Australian. Well, the truly un-Australian position is to support the abuse of workers on Australian soil.

“Our union will always fight against the abuse and exploitation of workers in this country and if that means engaging with foreign embassies then that’s precisely what we’ll do.

“If Asian nations are rejecting this agriculture visa it’s not because they trust the AWU blindly. It’s because they’ve probably read the 11 independent reports since 2016 that have confirmed widespread abuse of foreign workers on Australian farms. Anyone who lightly dismisses this massive weight of evidence would be unethical, stupid, or both.

“I suspect no nation will want to expose their citizens to our horticulture sector until they believe the Australian Government is serious about ensuring proper safeguards.”

Australia is country full of national park lovers, who favour nature protection over development.

New national polling confirms that the vast majority of Australians do not want to see prime protected areas like National Parks compromised by commercial or large-scale development. Research undertaken by National Parks Australia Council, a coalition of state-based conservation groups, shows just how protective Australians are of our national parks and reserves.

Of the 1,122 Australians we surveyed, the results were unequivocal, with 91% agreeing national parks and conservation areas are critical to protect nature from resource extraction (including logging and mining), and 78% of saying they did not support any development in parks and protected areas at all. There was support for small scale projects that help people enjoy nature such as public toilets, visitor centres, and interpretation areas.

The poll was commissioned in response to the increasing trend of Federal and State governments proactively spruiking and funding development and commercial interests over nature protection in national parks.

Recent disputes over Kosciuszko National Park Special Development Precincts, the Ben Boyd National Park Light to Light Walk in NSW, Lake Malbena in Tasmania, Warburton/Yarra Ranges National Park Bike Track in Victoria, Australian Walking Company’s private, luxury accommodation in Flinders Chase National Park, South Australia, and the Wangetti trail in Queensland, which is under development, have raised community concern that Federal and State governments are undermining the integrity of national parks.

“We have seen numerous examples over the years, and they just keep coming, a seemingly insatiable push to inappropriately develop even for our prime protected natural places like national parks.” said National Parks Australia Council President, Dr Bruce McGregor.

“What becomes clear is that there is a disconnect between public and political priorities. People don’t support commercialisation or large-scale development of parks, but that’s where governments keep putting their money and effort,” said Dr Bruce McGregor.

When Australians were asked why national parks and conservation areas were important to them, protection of nature, saving threatened species, and quiet enjoyment of nature topped the list.

The survey also revealed that the perceived city/country divide over nature protection isn’t quite as divisive as portrayed. Regional Australians were five percentage points more likely than capital city residents to vote for their local member of parliament if they actively prioritised or advocated national parks, demonstrating “that there is pretty much a national consensus on this, and it doesn’t matter whether you live in the country or city.” said Dr Bruce McGregor.

“We need our politicians to match their actions with their communities’ attitudes and rule out inappropriate development, in favor of a clearly articulated protection vision for national parks and protected areas” said National Parks Australia Council President, Dr Bruce McGregor.

The research was released by the National Parks Australia Council (NPAC), a national coalition of state based national parks associations and community conservation organisations from across Australia. And was conducted by Lonergan Research in accordance with the ISO 20252 standard.

Report is here https://vnpa.org.au/publications/polling-2022/

The Morrison Government is investing $23 million in three Victorian health projects that will help prevent chronic diseases and improve health and wellbeing of Australians.

In partnership with the Victorian Government, the preventative health projects aim to tackle chronic disease, obesity and reduce the number of avoidable hospitalisations related to cardiovascular disease.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said chronic conditions are the leading cause of ill health and death in Australia and account for 87 per cent of deaths.

“Each year, one Australian dies of cardiovascular disease every 12 minutes,” Minister Hunt said.

“These projects target a range of issues and build on our Government’s commitment to investing in health projects that save lives, improve lives and protect lives.”

Enduring Data Linkage Strategy, who will receive $3.5 million, are working on improving outcomes for Victorians with cardiovascular disease by routinely identifying patients who may be at high-risk of hospitalisation or re-hospitalisation.

In addition, $8.5 million will fund a range of initiatives to reduce readmission to hospital including the Health Helper program and the Cardiovascular Ambassadors nurse program, which together will make sure Australians get the follow up care they need after experiencing heart failure.

$3 million will be invested to rapidly identify unusual patterns of illness that may indicate a risk to public health. The software will be rolled out to emergency departments and other health services across Victoria so an early and appropriate public health response can be deployed.

The Healthy Kids Advisors Initiative will receive $8 million to focus on boosting healthy eating to help prevent obesity and chronic disease. The Initiative supports a dedicated workforce who will work in 13 targeted Local Government Areas to provide hands on support for healthy eating in places where children and families gather.

We know that health eating habits, together with regular physical activity and adequate sleep, help children reach their full potential while reducing the likelihood of preventable chronic diseases down the track.

Last year the Morrison Government launched the National Preventive Health Strategy, a 10-year plan to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians at all stages of life.

The strategy seeks to improve Australia’s health system, fundamentally focused on the treatment of illness and disease, by increasing the focus on prevention – from illness to wellness, and from healthcare to health.

Our Government has invested $1.9 million in 2021-22 to build the foundations of this strategy, with the first steps for implementation already underway.

These projects were funded to help advance the objectives of the 2020–2025 National Health Reform Agreement Addendum and will assist to achieve the aims and targets of the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030.

The Australian Government and Australian Sports Commission (ASC) congratulates Australian athletes and officials after a record-breaking performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said it was an inspirational two weeks of sport, culminating with an Australian record four medals – one gold, two silver and one bronze.

“It’s fantastic to have seen the Australian Olympic team achieve record podium success in Beijing, following on from an equal-record gold medal haul of 17 at the Tokyo Summer Olympics just last year,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Mogul skier Jakara Anthony broke through to claim Australia’s first gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 12 years, but it was one of many wonderful performances that show how we’re continuing to evolve in Winter sports and challenging the world’s best.

“The medals were complemented by a record nine top-six finishes, and numerous personal bests, which means we’re knocking on the door for more medals in the future.

“Australian Olympic debuts in sports such as curling and monobob show there’s greater depth and opportunity for our athletes too.

“This gives us a lot to be excited about in the future, especially with the opening of the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre in Brisbane and the new National Snowsports Training Centre in Jindabyne being developed by Snow Australia.

“It gives Olympic and aspiring athletes access to a world-class training centre in Australia all-year round.

“Well done to all our Olympic athletes in Beijing and the team behind the scenes, led by Chef De Mission Geoff Lipshut.

“We now look forward to our Australian Paralympic team competing in Beijing next month.”

The Australian Government, via the Australian Institute of Sport, provided a record $29.8 million in preparation for Beijing, an increase of almost 50 per cent in funding. The funding includes more than $2.5 million in direct grants to athletes.

By the end of this year, the AIS will confirm the next four years of winter funding to help athletes and sports prepare for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games. It is part of a longer-term approach to sports funding.

Australian Sports Commission Chair Josephine Sukkar AM said Australia’s winter athletes had overcome enormous challenges and thrived on the world stage.

“We’re always building for the future too, so preparations for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics are already underway and we’ll confirm funding by the end of 2022,” Ms Sukkar said.

“I thank the Australian Government for believing in the ASC’s long-term vision for Australian high performance sport. With the Government’s support, we’re now able to give sports greater certainty and clarity to build for a full Games cycle.

“It creates a stronger platform than we have ever had in Australian sport and is a huge vote of confidence for the Australian high performance system, the sports and our athletes.

“Beyond funding, the AIS will continue to support our winter sports and athletes in areas of innovation and technology, medicine and sport science, wellbeing and community engagement, coaching and leadership, as well as high performance facilities, including the AIS campus in Canberra, European Training Centre in Italy and the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre in Brisbane.

“As we welcome our Olympians home, we also wish our Australian Paralympic team all the very best as they prepare to compete from March 4-13.”

The Federal Coalition Government is providing $3.7 million to the University of South Australia (UniSA) to create a training site in Port Lincoln that will encourage current and future nursing and allied health students to pursue a career in aged care once qualified.

Making the significant announcement today at the Matthew Flinders Home, where the training and simulation site will be built, Federal Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey said this was a win-win for local health students and the increasing elderly population in the area.

Mr Ramsey said the new centre will include state of the art equipment, including a simulated resident’s room with geriatric mannequin, clinical skills training laboratory, video/telehealth conferencing facilities, and areas for student mentoring, tutorials, and office space.

“Each year, the demonstration project will give dozens of students in nursing and other health professions the opportunity to study under supervision in residential and community aged care in Port Lincoln,” Mr Ramsey said.

“As well as nursing, the project will support students in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, podiatry, pharmacy and nutrition; with the program likely to expand to include dietetics, exercise physiology and social work students in the future.”

Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie, who will join Mr Ramsey tomorrow for a rural health visit to Wallaroo, said the centre will give students the experience and training to build their knowledge, expertise, and skills relevant to rural aged care practice, which makes them more likely to pursue a career in regional, rural, or remote aged care at the end of their studies.

“The project will initially start with 52 weeks of student placements in 2022, building to 288 weeks and 48 students in 2024 and beyond, which is a huge staff boost to local aged care,” Dr Gillespie said.

“In return, it will give people receiving aged care access to health services which haven’t been available locally, and better access to existing services.”

Mr Ramsey said the project’s benefits would extend across the Port Lincoln community.

“Port Lincoln is the service centre for the Lower Eyre Peninsula and also a retirement destination, with a growing population of elderly people,” Mr Ramsey said.

“This project will give students from the local area and other places the opportunity to train on the job and link them to future local employment opportunities.

“At the same time, it will help local aged care provider, Matthew Flinders Home, to continue to deliver high quality care and meet the health care needs of its residents.”

UniSA will receive nearly $3.7 million from the Liberal and Nationals Government to establish the site at Matthew Flinders Home. It is part of the Federal Government’s $18.4 million investment to establish up to seven health training demonstration sites in rural and remote aged care services, as part of the broader Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.

In October 2020, the Australian Government announced a $48.3 million investment to increase rural health training opportunities to deliver health, aged care, and disability services in regional, rural, and remote communities under the RHMT program. The program currently provides over $200 million in funding to 21 universities across Australia to improve the recruitment and retention of medical, nursing, dental and allied health professionals in rural and remote Australia.

An innovative health training program will be established in Murray Bridge, Berri and other sites in the Riverland Mallee Coorong (RMC) region, improving access to health services and providing invaluable training opportunities for health students.

Member for Barker, Tony Pasin today announced Flinders University will receive $1.94 million from the Federal Coalition Government to establish a new model of person-centred, multidisciplinary health training placements for the RMC region.

Mr Pasin said that Flinders will work closely with RMC Local Health Network and Aboriginal Medical Services to provide opportunities for about 18 students each year to take part in 4-6 week training placements, which equates to around 360 weeks of placements in local communities over the next two years.

“Additionally, Flinders will employ several local academic and administrative staff to work in the region, attracting and retaining the health workforce” Mr Pasin said.

Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie joined Mr Pasin today at Flinders University’s Murray Bridge campus to announce the investment through the Coalition Government’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.

Mr Pasin said the project will extend the university’s existing rural health training activities into new, more remote settings, as well as a greater range of health professions.

Dr Gillespie, a former regional doctor, said the project was part of a $14.25 million investment to establish multidisciplinary health training demonstration sites in more remote areas of Australia.

“This will give students in many health disciplines the experience, skills and positive learning experiences to encourage them to return to these areas after they graduate,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Additionally, it will give local students new career pathways in health while boosting access to local health services for patients, now and into the future.”

Mr Pasin said Flinders will hold recruitment activities in schools to create a career pathway for young health professionals to become educators, supervisors, and mentors to local students.

Flinders has co-designed this project,working with local health services to create more multidisciplinary placements for students from Flinders, University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, and TAFE SA.

To ensure that the project is appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Flinders will second a cultural expert from the Aboriginal Health Unit of RMC Local Health Network.

“Flinders will extend collaborations with the local Aboriginal Medical Service, Moorundi, and multiple community and non-government health services providers in the region to expand existing training programs,” Mr Pasin said.

Dr Gillespie said the training hubs would build on Flinders’ existing rural health training staff and infrastructure, providing multiple benefits for local people.

Flinders will give priority to students from Indigenous and rural backgrounds.

“Located in an area with one of the largest Indigenous populations in SA, the initiative has the potential to transform health outcomes for Indigenous communities,” Mr Pasin said.

“Bringing staff and students to the region will also make an economic contribution to the local community.”

Flinders will purchase two additional houses for student accommodation, one in Berri and one in Murray Bridge, which will actively encourage students to stay in the region rather than commuting from Adelaide, adding to their overall rural experience.