Category: Australian News

“Aboriginal people are dying from preventable deaths in police custody because the Morrison government is continuing Liberal and Labors’ legacies of inaction,” said Senator Lidia Thorpe, a Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman who is the Australian Greens’ First Nations and Justice spokesperson.
“It’s been 30 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the Morrison government has failed to show leadership and implement all 339 recommendations. What’s the point of a Commission if you ignore its findings?”
As a matter of national urgency, The Greens are calling for the full implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations, a ban on lethal chokeholds, greater transparency around the reporting of deaths in custody and a culturally safe, properly resourced independent prison oversight system.
“This is a matter of life and death, why should our people keep dying in places where they’re meant to be kept safe?” said Senator Thorpe.
Due to our community protocol, we will not comment on the recent death unless permitted to do so from family.

The Morrison Government is providing access to a new treatment through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to support around Australians who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a type of bowel cancer.
In 2020, bowel cancer was the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with around 15,000 Australians diagnosed with the disease each year. Sadly more than 5,000 lives are lost to bowel cancer each year, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in Australia.
For the first time, Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) will have its listing extended on the PBS to include the treatment of unresectable or metastatic mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer.
This is the first immunotherapy treatment available to Australians with this type of cancer, which cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to an area outside the colon/rectum.
Keytruda® belongs to a new class of immunotherapy medicines that help the body’s own immune system to detect and fight cancer cells. The drug is already available on the PBS for other types of cancer, including lung cancer and melanoma.
More than 580 Australians a year will benefit from this listing. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $150,000 per course of treatment. From 1 August, it will be available for $41.30 per script or just $6.60 if they have a concession card.
This listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Earlier this year, the Government announced $9.7 million for a new National Bowel Cancer Screening Program awareness campaign.
The campaign will aim to increase the numbers of Australians taking their free bowel cancer test and will focus on men aged 50 to 59 years, people living in regional and remote Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.
When detected early, the majority of (around 90 per cent) of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.
Our Government is increasing its efforts on cancer screening to help more Australians to get early treatment and beat the disease.
Since 2013, the Coalition Government has approved more than 2,600 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 $13.2 billion.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.’

The Australian Government has today announced significant quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be made available for GPs, community pharmacies and other healthcare providers across Greater Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of Queenscliff and Bass Coast Shire who need to see their patients within their practices.
Health professionals in these areas are able to request a package of PPE from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) through their local Primary Health Network (PHN) with an initial allocation of up to:

• 725,000 surgical masks;
• 725,000 N95 masks;
• 175,000 pairs of gloves;
• 175,000 gowns; and
• 175,000 goggles.

These will be made available through the five PHNs relevant to the Commonwealth hotspot, namely:

• North Western Melbourne;
• Eastern Melbourne;
• South Eastern Melbourne;
• Western Victoria; and
• Gippsland.

These packages will assist to further supress the COVID-19 infection rate occurring across Melbourne and builds on the recent commitment to support NSW as announced on 12 July 2021.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to the critical PPE supplies they require to continue to safely see their patients during this COVID-19 outbreak.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Australian Government has deployed more than 90 million masks, 5.8 million gowns, 6.5 million pairs of gloves and 1.1 million goggles from the National Medical Stockpile.

The Morrison Government is providing $3 million to support young Australians in Victoria, ensuring they can access mental health support if and when they need it during this lockdown.
The funding will be matched by the Victorian Government and delivered through headspace, helping meet the critical demand for youth mental health services across the state.
This additional investment to headspace services, complemented by co-funding from the Victorian Government, will support a surge workforce of clinicians to immediately boost the capacity of 32 headspace services across Victoria for six months.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt MP, said the Government is profoundly committed to safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians, who have been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a tough time for our young Australians and we want them to know that they are not alone, which is why we’re putting more health professionals on the ground to meet increased demand,” Minister Hunt said.
It is vital young Victorians can get the mental health support they need, where and when they need it. This is even more so when their lives are upended by COVID-19-related restrictions.”
The funding will also ensure Primary Health Networks and headspace National can integrate activities through the National headspace Program for monitoring and evaluation activities. This further complements the Morrison Government’s $152 million program to reduce wait times and manage demand at headspace services across the nation.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention,
David Coleman MP, said the Government had made more than $500 million in direct supports to respond to the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic including $43.9 million in targeted support for Victorians during the 2020 lockdowns.
“We know that extended lockdowns can have significant impacts on the mental health of young Australians and our Government has worked quickly to ensure that additional support is available for those who need it,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
If the Victorian lockdown is extended, the Commonwealth will provide additional support in consultation with the Victorian Government.
Targeted mental health support for Victorians during the pandemic has included $12 million to bolster the capacity of Beyond Blue, Lifeline and Kids Helpline, and support headspace outreach services. An additional $31.9 million was also provided last year during Victoria’s extended lockdown to establish 15 HeadtoHelp mental health clinics across Victoria and to further enhance digital and phone services for vulnerable groups.
The Morrison Government continues to make mental health a national priority, investing a record $2.3 billion in the 2021-22 Budget for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform of the mental health system. This includes a record $6.5 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021-22, doubling since 2012-13.
Australians looking for support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service anytime via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.
Anyone experiencing distress can 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.

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck has credited outgoing Paralympics Australia chief executive Lynne Anderson for forging greater pathways for athletes.
Ms Anderson has announced she will step down from her role at the end of 2021 after six years leading the organisation.
Minister Colbeck said Ms Anderson had showcased extraordinary leadership during her tenure.
“She has championed the needs of the Australian Paralympic movement starting with those who matter most – the athletes,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Ms Anderson has strengthened the pathways for aspiring para-athletes, taking advantage of every funding opportunity to ensure our Australian representatives can make their mark on the world stage.
“She has worked tirelessly to reinforce athlete welfare – an increasingly important aspect as we navigate the impact of the pandemic on professional sport.”
She has also been a fierce advocate for corporate support.
Minister Colbeck said Ms Anderson’s professionalism and experience extended to her role as a member of the Sport Integrity Australian Advisory Council.
“The Morrison Government, through the establishment of the advisory council, has been able to draw from Ms Anderson’s breadth of experience and professionalism, ensuring matters of sports integrity are dealt with comprehensively,” Minister Colbeck said.
“I thank her for her contributions to sport in Australia and wish her every success in the future.”

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
National Cabinet discussed the outbreak in Greater Sydney and the additional measures introduced by the New South Wales Government to stop the spread of the virus. National Cabinet has agreed to a suppression strategy for COVID-19 with the goal of no community transmission.
All leaders expressed their full support for NSW to get on top of the current outbreak. National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth’s extension of the COVID-19 Disaster Payment support for Greater Sydney and Victoria, based on Commonwealth hotspot declarations.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 31,632 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 912 people have died. More than 22.5 million tests have been undertaken in Australia. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 797,127 tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 188.8 million cases and sadly over 4 million deaths, with 559,490 new cases and 8,339 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date 9,806,809 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including a record 175,002 in the previous 24 hours.
In the previous 7 days, more than 935,237 vaccines have been administered in Australia. To date, more than one third (34.5 per cent) of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over half (58.6 per cent) of over 50 year olds and almost three quarters (74.5 per cent) of over 70 year olds. More than one in eight (12.9 per cent) Australians aged 16 years and over are fully vaccinated including more than 16.8 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 29.2 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19 in a number of locations and of both the Alpha and Delta variants. Australia has successfully suppressed a number of outbreaks since the beginning of the pandemic, built on strong health measures.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided a detailed briefing on the vaccination program. The vaccination program continues to expand with detailed planning underway to expand access points for aged care workers and to bring forward significant additional access points through community pharmacies in both rural and metro areas. National Cabinet further agreed to consider expanding access to vaccinations on weekends through different channels.
National Cabinet received an update from the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet on the four step plan to reopening and the progress of the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce report and the Doherty modelling for the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 23 July 2021.
Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment
National Cabinet noted the changes to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment to standardise and streamline Commonwealth financial support when a public health lockdown occurs in a Commonwealth declared hotspot.
The rate the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be paid to individuals who live or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot at the rate of $600 per week if a person in paid employment has lost over 20 hours; or $375 per week if they lost between 8 hours and less than 20 hours of work, or have lost a full day of work. Hours lost must have occurred within the lockdown period.
If a lockdown is seven days or more, the Commonwealth will open applications for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment on day eight. If a lockdown is for less than seven days, and a commitment has been made by the State or Territory Government to provide significant economic support, for the same lockdown period, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment is open for applications seven days after the lockdown was declared. The $10,000 liquid assets test will no longer apply.
Business Support Payments
National Cabinet noted the new arrangement for business support payments in the event of a significant lockdown of greater than 14 days. The Commonwealth will fund 50 per cent of the payment if an agreement is reached with the relevant jurisdiction to fund the remaining 50 per cent. The support payment will cease when restrictions are eased or when the location is no longer declared a Commonwealth hotspot.
The support payment will be available to non-employing and employing entities, including not-for-profits, with an aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million, if their turnover is 30 per cent lower than a relevant comparison period, and they maintain their headcount of full-time, part-time and long term casual employees as at a specified date.
Eligible entities will receive 40 per cent of their state payroll payments, with a minimum payment of $1,500 and a maximum payment of $10,000 per week. For non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, the payment will be set at $1,000 per week.
National Cabinet noted the existing arrangements jointly announced by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments on 13 July remain in place, with small and medium businesses impacted by the current lockdown supported by the new payment from week four of the current lockdown.

The Morrison Government is continuing to support residential aged care providers in Greater Sydney and across New South Wales with emergency preparedness and response activities and introducing more stringent reporting requirements to protect senior Australians.
Provisions to bolster residential aged care facilities amid the current COVID-19 outbreak include access to a second round of COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program grants and reimbursement for eligible expenses.
The program supports costs for additional or replacement staff, personal protective equipment, onsite testing, cleaning and infection control, waste management, and travel and accommodation.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Government is supporting any provider affected by the outbreak to access surge workforce staff.
“The Government has supported SummitCare Baulkham Hills with more than 130 staff since the current outbreak began, including registered nurses, assistants in nursing, administrative, cleaning and kitchen staff,” Minister Hunt said.
“The Government has also provided additional personal protective equipment including around 34,000 P2/N95 masks, 6,000 surgical masks, gowns, goggles and face shields, 330,000 gloves and
70 litres of hand sanitiser.”
A two-week trial of rapid antigen testing is underway for staff at a large facility in South-West Sydney, showcasing the commitment to early identification of COVID-19 and action to minimise the risk of transmission from staff to residents.
This trial will be evaluated and the findings will be shared with Government to inform future directions on the use of these tests in surveillance and infection prevention and control.
Arrangements to limit aged care workers to working at a single facility remain in place across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour until at least 14 August 2021.
To ensure workers are not disadvantaged, the Australian Government is continuing to support providers through the Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) Grant.
In light of the emerging situation in Melbourne, these single site workforce arrangements have been reintroduced and will remain in place in Greater Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Borough of Queenscliff until at least 30 July 2021.
Providers in these areas will also have access to funding through the SACWIC Grant to cover additional costs incurred during this period. The SACWIC Grant remains open for applications until 31 December 2021.
COVID-19 vaccination reporting requirements for aged care providers are also being strengthened to provide greater health security for seniors receiving residential and in-home care.
Residential aged care providers nationally will be required to report on the COVID-19 vaccination status of residents in their care from 27 July 2021, in addition to reporting workforce vaccinations.
“It is important for all residential aged care facilities to report weekly on any changes to the COVID-19 vaccination status of residents, including new entrants, to ensure ongoing vaccine access can be supported for this most vulnerable group of Australians,” Minister Hunt said.
Also from 27 July, in-home aged care providers must report weekly on the COVID-19 vaccination status of their workforce, including contractors and volunteers.
This includes providers of Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care services in an in-home or community setting.
“Data reported by in-home aged care providers on the COVID-19 vaccination status of their workforce will further help us understand the risk each service faces in the event of an outbreak and how we can best support those providers, workers and the people they care for.”
De-identified data will be reported on the total number of residents and/or workers by service and, of those, the number who have received a single dose or all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
This will help governments and aged care providers support public health measures on COVID-19 and inform any adjustments needed to support workers’ access to vaccination.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said aged care providers had quickly embraced the new workforce reporting requirements.
“As at 14 July, 98 per cent of residential aged care providers have reported on the COVID-19 vaccination status of their workforce. Of the total reported workforce of 276,159 to date, 115,566 workers or 42 per cent have received a COVID-19 vaccination,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Some 669 in-home aged care providers are already voluntarily reporting their workforce’s COVID-19 vaccination status through My Aged Care, ahead of it becoming mandatory.”
It is currently voluntary for aged care workers to get a COVID-19 vaccination and to notify their main employer if they have been vaccinated.
A first dose will be required as a condition of employment by 17 September.
Providers who have not reported on COVID-19 vaccination will be followed up by the Department initially, and ongoing failure to report will be referred to Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
In response to the current outbreak in New South Wales, roving Commonwealth vaccination clinics are returning to 236 aged care facilities in 18 Local Government Areas.
Similarly, the Commonwealth is deploying roving clinics to 145 residential aged care facilities in Tier 1 locations in Victoria, as defined by Victorian health authorities last month.
In addition to strengthening protection for residents and supporting aged care providers and workers, the Australian Government continues to support all senior Australians receiving Commonwealth-funded supports, including through wellbeing checks, grief and trauma counselling, support for families, and advocacy services through the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).
A dedicated, free call support line (1800 171 866) continues to operate, supporting the mental health of senior Australians and their families impacted by COVID-19.
Established in conjunction with the Council on the Ageing Australia, National Seniors Australia, OPAN and Dementia Australia, the phone line is staffed with expert advisers who can listen and offer practical help and advice.

Labour force figures released today by the ABS show that seasonally adjusted employment rose by 29,100 in June 2021, at the upper end of market expectations, to stand a record high of 13,154,200. Employment has now increased by 285,100 in 2021, the largest increase in the first six months of a calendar year on record, and is 159,400 (or 1.2 per cent) above its pre-COVID level in March 2020.
Encouragingly, the proportion of the Australian civilian population (aged 15 years and over) who were employed reached a record high of 63.0 per cent in June 2021.
The rise in employment over the month was due, entirely, to a robust increase in full-time employment, up by 51,600 (or 0.6 per cent) in June, to a record high of 9,016,800. Full-time employment is now 151,700 (or 1.7 per cent) higher than it was in March 2020.
Male employment rose by 29,500 in June, to a record high of 6,899,600, and is now 62,400 (or 0.9 per cent) above the level recorded in March 2020. The increase in male employment was due, entirely, to a rise in full-time employment, which increased by 51,000 (or 0.9 per cent) to a record high of 5,571,200 in June.
While female employment decreased marginally, by 400 in June, it remains 97,100 (or 1.6 per cent) above the level recorded in March 2020. Encouragingly, female full-time employment rose slightly, by 600, to a record high of 3,445,600 in June.
The level of unemployment in Australia fell by 22,000 over the month, to 679,100 in June 2021, and is now 44,400 (or 6.1 per cent) below the level recorded in March 2020.
The unemployment rate also declined over the month, by 0.2 percentage points, to 4.9 per cent, the eighth consecutive monthly decrease and the lowest rate recorded since December 2010.
The participation rate remained steady in June, at 66.2 per cent, and is 0.3 percentage points above the rate recorded in March 2020.
The youth unemployment rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points to 10.2 per cent in June, the lowest rate recorded since January 2009.
While Australia’s labour market rebound from the pandemic has beaten even the most optimistic of expectations, the Government remains acutely aware that 679,100 Australians remain out of work, and that the risk of ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 in the months ahead present a degree of uncertainty. Recent lockdowns are expected to have an impact on employment over coming months.
This is why the Government’s 2021-22 Budget measures have been designed to cement Australia’s economic recovery and secure our prosperity through initiatives including: a further $15.2 billion in infrastructure investment; additional tax cuts for businesses and individuals; a further $2.7 billion to extend the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program and; an additional $500 million to expand the JobTrainer Fund.
In addition, the Government has announced increased financial assistance to eligible households and businesses in order to minimise the impact of the current outbreak of COVID-19 cases on the labour market.
The Government has put in place a prudent macroeconomic policy framework to ensure that Australia continues to rebound strongly from the COVID-19 induced recession and creates sustainable jobs well into the future.

The Victorian Government today announced it was entering a five day lockdown.
Earlier today the Commonwealth Government announced proposed changes to the way economic support will be delivered to individuals and businesses, in partnership with States and Territories, in areas that are subject to a Commonwealth Hotspot declaration and to State or Territory lockdown restrictions.
This evening the Prime Minister and Premier of Victoria, supported by their Treasurers, agreed to these new arrangements with a further enhancement that where a lockdown has been imposed by a State or Territory Government for a period of less than seven days, (as has been announced by the Victorian Government), the Commonwealth will provide income support through the COVID-19 Disaster Payment as follows:
A) A Commonwealth Hotspot has been declared by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.
B) The Commonwealth Government will provide income support for those who work or live in the areas declared as a Commonwealth Hotspot. The provision of income support outside of these areas will be provided where requested and at the cost of the State or Territory Government.
C) Individuals will be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment if they have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours of work for a payment of $375, and for 20 or more hours of work for a payment of $600, during the period of the lockdown. There will be no liquid assets test applied to eligibility for these payments.
D) A commitment has been made by the State or Territory Government to provide significant economic support, for the same lockdown period, to ensure cost sharing between the Commonwealth and the State or Territory Government.
The outcome of this arrangement will have the following implications for the statewide lockdown announced by the Premier of Victoria effective at 11.59pm this evening and the declaration by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer of Greater Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliff and Surf Coast Shire as a COVID-19 Hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support, for an initial period of 5 days from 11.59pm 15 July 2021 until 11.59pm 20 July 2021.
Key information:
Eligibility for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be made available for the period of the Victorian lockdown (five days) as it applies to each area of the State.
The Commonwealth will fund the payment for those who live and/or work in the areas declared as a Commonwealth Hotspot and the State Government will fund payments provided to the balance of the State.
Payments will be made in arrears on application to Services Australia 7 days after the commencement of the lockdown (that is from Friday 23 July 2021).
Payments of $600 will be made to Individuals that lose 20 hours or more of work during the period of the lockdown (the next five days).
Payments of $375 will be made to Individuals that lose between 8 and up to 20 hours of work during the period of the lockdown (the next five days).
No liquid assets test will be applied to the payment at any time.
Information about the COVID-19 Disaster Payment can be found on the Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment.
In addition, the Victorian Government has agreed to provide significant additional economic support to businesses, from day one of this lockdown period, satisfying the Commonwealth’s cost sharing requirements for this arrangement.
Should the Victorian lockdown be extended, the additional features of the upgraded and revised economic support arrangements proposed by the Commonwealth will be activated by agreement.
The additional support being announced today comes on top of the $45.4 billion of Commonwealth support that has already been delivered to Victoria.

The Morrison Government is upgrading its national response to COVID-19 outbreaks with increased weekly payments for households, and boosting business cash flow to get them through extended lockdowns.
The new national arrangements have been developed following close cooperation between the Commonwealth and NSW governments to ensure additional support is targeted and rolls out as quickly as possible under a new cost sharing agreement.
The support package will see an increase in the COVID-19 Disaster Payment from week four of a lockdown and a 50/50 cost sharing arrangement between the Commonwealth and the NSW Government for a new and expanded small to medium business support package, implemented and administered by NSW.
This level of support will apply nationally to any state or territory that experiences an extended lockdown beyond week three following the declaration of a Commonwealth hotspot.
COVID-19 Disaster Payment
The Commonwealth will enhance and expand the support available to NSW and other states that experience an extended lockdown.
Specifically, the Commonwealth will:

• From week four of a lockdown because of a Commonwealth declared hotspot, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will increase from $500 to $600 each week if a person has lost 20 hours or more of work a week or $325 to $375 each week if a person has lost between 8 and 20 hours of work.
• Make the COVID-19 Disaster Payment a recurring payment for approved recipients for as long as the Commonwealth declared hotspot and lockdown restrictions remain in place. This will remove the need for recipients to re-claim for each seven day period of a lockdown.
• Amend the COVID-19 Disaster Payment so that a person would be eligible for the payment, including where they are still working, provided they have lost more than 8 hours or a full day of work.

From 18 July 2021 the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be available to those outside Commonwealth declared hotspots in NSW that meet the criteria for the payment.
The NSW Government will fund any payments outside a Commonwealth declared hotspot, with the Commonwealth continuing to fund payments to recipients in a Commonwealth declared hotspot.
This arrangement will be available to other states and territories for future lockdown as a result of a Commonwealth declared hotspot .
Information about how to apply for COVID-19 Disaster Payment can be found on the Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment
Small and medium business support payments
From week four of the lockdown, the Commonwealth will fund 50 per cent of the cost of a new small and medium business support payment to be implemented and administered by Service NSW.
Eligible entities will receive 40 per cent of their NSW payroll payments, at a minimum of $1500 and a maximum of $10,000 per week.
Entities will be eligible if their turnover is 30 per cent lower than an equivalent two week period in 2019.
The new small to medium business support payment will be available to non-employing and employing entities in NSW, including not for profits, with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million.
To receive the payment, entities will be required to maintain their full time, part time and long term casual staffing level as of 13 July 2021.
For non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, the payment will be set at $1,000 per week.
Businesses can register their interest from 14 July 2021 at www.service.nsw.gov.au
The assistance will cease when current lockdown restrictions are eased or when the Commonwealth hotspot declaration is removed.
Commonwealth business tax relief
The Commonwealth will also provide additional support through the tax system, by:

• Making NSW small business grants, including the new small business payments, tax exempt.
• Providing administrative relief to NSW taxpayers facing hardship, including reduced payment plans, no interest charged on late payments and varying instalments on request.

Mental health support
The Commonwealth and NSW governments will deliver a $17.35 million mental health support package for NSW including:

• A boost for crisis and mental health services including for Lifeline, free 24 hour support via Sonder and counselling for perinatal depression and anxiety
• Funding for mental health support for vulnerable and culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• Assistance for young people through headspace, Kids Helpline and the Butterfly Foundation

The increase in support for states and territories experiencing extended lockdowns is part of the Government’s plan to secure Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 recession.
The support comes in addition to existing Commonwealth programs such as HomeBuilder, the expanded instant asset write off, additional support for retaining and training apprentices as well as record support for mental health and women’s safety announced in the Budget.
As the pandemic evolves, so too does the Government’s support for Australians across the country.