Category: Australian News

The Australian and NSW Governments are providing a range of targeted recovery efforts to NSW communities affected by the February and March 2021 storms and floods to help them on the next stage of recovery.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there is a $200 million recovery package to deliver eight key initiatives targeted at supporting the next phase of recovery for flood affected communities and industries in NSW. In addition, a $200 million Infrastructure Betterment Fund will be established to support the reconstruction and improved disaster resilience of public assets damaged during the recent storms and floods as well as the 2019-20 bushfires.
“The $200 million flood recovery package will deliver eight key initiatives targeted at supporting the next phase of recovery,” the Prime Minister said.
“We’re focused on enabling industry recovery and job retention, helping to rebuild community infrastructure, delivering a range of projects to safeguard mental health and community wellbeing, and ensuring impacted regions have resources that they need to bounce back.”
Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the NSW Storm and Flood Phase Three Recovery Package would ensure the long-term recovery of impacted regions.
“Months on from the devastating storms and floods which impacted over 70 Local Government Areas across NSW, we are continuing to stand by communities as they recover,” Minister McKenzie said.
“We have listened to farmers and producers, too, and included more than $25 million to provide grants for rural landholders who do not qualify for the existing supports, as well as funding for environmental recovery initiatives, including riverbank restoration.”
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the 50/50 jointly funded package complemented the funding provided to date and would play a key role in supporting long-term recovery.
“The Australian and NSW Governments continue to stand by communities who were hit by devastating storms and floods earlier this year, many of whom were already reeling from the impacts of prolonged drought, bushfires and COVID,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We cannot underestimate the mental health and wellbeing of those impacted by these disasters and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to provide extensive support to assist communities hardest hit, as well as dedicated flood Community Recovery Officers in highly impacted LGAs to play the same important role as those already supporting bushfire-affected areas.”
People requiring ongoing flood assistance, support and referral are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au/floods.
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au

The Greens have welcomed the release today of the Nowhere To Go report by Equity Economics, which finds that a significant build of social housing would support thousands of women and children fleeing family and domestic violence.
The report underscores the urgent need for a massive expansion in public and community housing, which the Greens continue to advocate for.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens spokesperson for Housing, said:
“How many wake up calls does the Morrison government need before it acts? We are in a housing crisis and some of the most vulnerable in our community are suffering the most because of it.
“Only a small fraction of women and children subjected to family violence are receiving the long-term housing they need. This is simply unacceptable and egregious.
“This report really underscores the importance of a mass social housing build, not just for the most marginalised and at-risk of homelessness, but also for the broader community.
“The Greens have a plan to build one million public and community homes. The government must invest in social housing with urgency. We have no time to waste.”
Senator Larissa Waters, Greens spokesperson for Women, said:
“The women’s groups I meet with all tell me the same thing: the chronic lack of domestic violence shelters, transitional housing and social housing is killing women.
“Twenty-three women have been killed by violence in 2021, and that number will only increase without substantial investment in safe and secure housing. Women are being forced to choose between violence and homelessness.
“The government pledged that May’s budget would deliver for women, and yet they only provided one-quarter of the funding that the sector says is needed to meet existing demand for support services and accommodation.
“Perhaps, with his approval rating among women collapsing, sheer political survival will motivate the PM to finally listen to women and take action on domestic and family violence.”

To mark National Diabetes Week, the Australian Government is announcing a new three-year $140 million agreement with Diabetes Australia to continue delivering the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
Diabetes directly affects approximately 5 per cent of Australia’s population. Sadly, 80 per cent of people report feeling shame or blame because they have the disease.
This year’s National Diabetes Week – from 11 to 17 July – seeks to address this, by changing the conversation and reducing diabetes-related stigma.
Diabetes Australia is spearheading the campaign, which asks people “Would you mind?” if you were made to feel ashamed because of a health condition.
The NDSS helps people understand and self-manage their life with diabetes. It also gives them access to services, support, and subsidised diabetes products like blood glucose testing strips, insulin syringes, insulin pump consumables, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products.
The NDSS currently supports nearly 1.4 million Australians with diabetes. It delivered more than 5.7 million diabetes products in 2019–20, at a cost of more than $188 million.
In addition to the NDSS, the Government subsidises essential medicines, like insulin, under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). In 2019–20, PBS expenditure on medicines for diabetes was over $632 million.
Since 2017, the scheme has also provided fully subsidised CGM products to eligible people. The Government has expanded the eligibility criteria to allow more people to benefit, and now provides fully subsidised CGM products to:

• children and young people, under 21 years of age, with type 1 diabetes
• children and young people with conditions very similar to type 1 diabetes, such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and neonatal diabetes, who require insulin
• women with type 1 diabetes who are planning for pregnancy, pregnant or immediately post-pregnancy
• people with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older who have concessional status.

These changes mean more than 58,000 Australians with type 1 diabetes are eligible to access CGM products, with funding of more than $300 million over four years.
The new agreement with Diabetes Australia also secures the future of successful programs which are making a real difference for people with diabetes, including:

• KeepSight, a program to help prevent diabetes-related blindness by making it easier for people with diabetes to get their eyes checked
• Diabetes in Schools, which provides nationally consistent information and training for parents and families, principals, school staff and health professionals, so students with type 1 diabetes can be supported to manage their condition at school, and
• FootForward, a new program to help people with diabetes understand the importance of getting their feet checked, to avoid foot problems that can lead to amputation.

The Government’s commitment to supporting Australians with diabetes extends well beyond the NDSS.
We recognise the importance of clinical research and how it provides an important opportunity to identify better ways to prevent, treat and manage diabetes.
Since 2010, the National Health and Medical Research Council has provided $626 million for diabetes research. Since its inception, the Medical Research Future Fund has invested $78 million in diabetes research. This includes $25 million to JDRF Australia (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) for the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network.
Work is also under way on an updated Australian National Diabetes Strategy to outline the national response to diabetes and better coordinate and target existing resources across all levels of government. The strategy will span 2021–2030 and is expected later this year.

Monash University has developed Australia’s first training course accredited by multiple professional bodies to help health professionals and frontline workers better recognise and respond to victims of sexual violence.
Over the next 18 months the training will be delivered to hundreds of health professionals including GPs and nurses in rural and remote areas who work regularly with patients at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence.
Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston visited Monash University’s Department of Forensic Medicine which received $4.5 million from the Morrison Government to develop and implement the training across Australia in partnership with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
“It is vital that when someone discloses an experience of sexual violence their disclosure is handled with care and this training arms healthcare professionals with that expertise,” Minister Ruston said.
“Course participants will learn about all forms of sexual violence and how to identify risk factors and respond to disclosures in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways, including developing an understanding of referral pathways, protective support services and justice options.
“Importantly the training covers how to identify medical presentations and diagnoses that may be indicators of sexual violence so we can intervene sooner and ensure victims get the support they need immediately.”
Federal Member for Higgins Katie Allen said the new training package has clearly met demand with 77 expressions of interest received from health professionals for the first unit on offer which was already at capacity with 25 people enrolled.
“What sets this training a part is that each six-hour unit will be delivered over a six-week period and will accrue Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points towards a health practitioner’s annual professional development registration requirement,” Dr Allen said.
“This initiative is a significant step in changing the dial with how medical practitioners can identify and better support women traumatised by violence.”
Future course participants will also include social workers, youth workers, Indigenous frontline workers, teachers, police and corrections staff, psychologists, counsellors, disability workers, legal professionals, aged care workers, not-for-profit support organisation staff, community and faith leaders, and human resources professionals.
The curriculum lead for this project, Associate Professor David Wells, Senior Education Coordinator for Monash University’s Department of Forensic Medicine, said sexual violence was pervasive, destructive and criminal behaviour and impacts the lives of thousands of Australians every year.
“A large amount of my professional life has been spent assisting victims in the days and weeks after they have experienced such an assault, and for many victims, life never returns to normal,” Associate Professor Wells said.
“The physical, emotional and social impacts can be brutal and crippling, and the damage is not confined to the victim. There can be long term negative impacts to the next generation, to communities, and wider society.
“While there has been a lot of work done on improving frontline workers’ understanding of domestic and family violence, there is limited awareness of how to recognise and respond to disclosures of sexual violence in ways that support recovery.
“This program is a key element in early intervention and improving frontline workers’ ability to provide trauma-informed care and planning to support long term recovery.”
The first unit of face-to-face training will be delivered via Zoom on 16 August 2021 and has been accredited by multiple professional bodies including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the College of Emergency Medicine and the College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
Each module will be supported with practical guidelines and assessment tools, and units two and three are expected to be delivered later this year.

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. All leaders expressed their full support for NSW to get on top of the outbreak. National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth’s extension of the COVID-19 Disaster Payments for Greater Sydney.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 30,955 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 910 people have died. More than 21.7 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 727,763 tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 185.4 million cases and sadly over 4 million deaths, with 514,654 new cases and 9,457 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world. National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth PPE and vaccine support for the Pacific and Indonesia to address growing outbreaks.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. As of yesterday, 8,871,572 doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Australia, including 164,773 doses in the previous 24 hours. In the previous 7 days, 901,419 vaccines have been administered in Australia.
To date, more than 32.2 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 55 per cent of over 50 year olds and over 72 per cent of over 70 year olds. More than 10 per cent of Australians 16 years of age are fully vaccinated including more than 20 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.
Professor Brendan Murphy noted that Australia has built significant health system capacity since the beginning of the pandemic with over 2,000 ventilator capacity and 7,500 ICU bed capacity.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided a detailed briefing on the vaccination program.
National Cabinet welcomed the increased Pfizer supplies and detailed supply plans provided to states and territories. Australia will bring forward Pfizer doses to around 1 million per week from 19 July, this is an increase from an average of 300,000 to 350-000 per week in May and June. Pfizer supplies will increase from 2.8 million doses for July to 4.5 million doses for August 2021. This will mean increased access for Australians through state and territory vaccination clinics, Commonwealth vaccination clinics and 1,300 primary care vaccination sites.
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, 16 July 2021.
National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response
The Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Phil Gaetjens, provided an update on the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce report and the Doherty modelling for the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response. To take into account economic and other perspectives, Secretary Gaetjens’ work is being coordinated with Commonwealth, state and territory Treasuries, Health Departments and First Secretaries Departments.
Aged Care Workers
All state and territory leaders, with the exception of Victoria, agreed to implement state public health orders or similar state and territory instruments to mandate vaccination of aged care workers by mid-September 2021, with limited exceptions. This is consistent with the approach taken for mandating influenza vaccinations for aged care workers.
In Victoria, an independent decision on mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for aged care workers rests with the Chief Health Officer in Victoria.
National Cabinet noted that the Commonwealth’s tender for aged care remains open for facilities to provide on-site vaccinations and this is expected to provide more than 25,000 workers, with a further process underway to support localised hubs in partnership with the aged care sector.
Mandatory Vaccinations for Disability Workers
National Cabinet agreed to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s (AHPPC) advice encouraging residential disability support workers to have their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, and in August 2021, consider mandating vaccination for disability workers by 31 October 2021.
The National Cabinet:

• strongly encourages all disability support workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect their own health and the health of the people for whom they are caring
• notes the AHPPC will consider the evidence for mandatory vaccination for disability support workers in August 2021 following redoubled efforts to encourage uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, including by giving disability support workers priority for appointments and improving communications to the sector, and taking into account an updated assessment by AHPPC of COVID-19 risk in a range of disability residential settings
• notes in August 2021 the AHPPC will consider making it mandatory for disability support workers who support NDIS participants in high risk disability residential settings, to have had at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by 31 October 2021.

Vaccination arrangements for mobile workforces
National Cabinet agreed to the AHPPC advice strongly encouraging vaccination in sectors with high mobility, such as aviation, resources and freight. The Coordinator General of Operation COVID Shield, Lieutenant General John Frewen DSC AM, continues to discuss the vaccination rollout with business groups and will continue to engage with the sectors to maximise uptake.
International passengers
National Cabinet noted progress to implement decisions taken at its last meeting regarding international passenger arrivals.
The Commonwealth has informed airlines that international air passenger arrival caps will be temporarily halved by 14 July 2021. The following cap arrangements will commence by 12.01am Wednesday 14 July and end by 11.59pm Tuesday 31 August 2021, subject to review by the National Cabinet before the end of August:

• New South Wales – 1,505 per week (215 per day);
• Queensland – 650 per week (including surge capacity);
• Victoria – 500 per week;
• South Australia – 265 per week; and
• Western Australian – 265 per week.

The Commonwealth has increased the number of facilitated commercial flights (FCFs) into Darwin for quarantine at the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs. To support returning Australians to access flights, 29 FCFs are being arranged for July and August.
The Commonwealth is closely monitoring the impact of the temporary cap reductions and will provide additional support as necessary through the International Freight Assistance Mechanism to ensure the maintenance of essential freight lines.
National Cabinet agreed that COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended and should be available for all outbound travellers under the Australian Vaccination Strategy.
Quarantine arrangements for returned travellers
National Cabinet noted the AHPPC paper on quarantine arrangements for vaccinated returned travellers (AHPPC Statement for Public Health Management of Persons Fully Vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2) and agreed to commence National Cabinet pilots of home quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers who had been vaccinated in Australia, with an Australian approved vaccination, arriving from low and medium risk countries..
South Australia has committed to commence the first trial.
To enable these trials the Commonwealth will update the Australian Travel Declaration (ATD) from 16 July 2021 to include information on inbound arrivals vaccination status. This will include date, country, brand and dose of COVID-19 vaccination. This ATD information will be provided to states and territories through the National Incident Centre from 16 July 2021 as per existing protocols, supporting decisions on pilot quarantine arrangements by states and territories.
Data Sharing Intergovernmental Agreement
National Cabinet today agreed and signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on Data Sharing (IGA), developed by Data and Digital Ministers. The IGA gives effect to National Cabinet’s commitment to share data across jurisdictions as a default position, where it can be done safely, securely and lawfully. The work program will be finalised by Data and Digital Ministers in consultation with portfolio ministers.

The establishment today of the Royal Commission into defence and veteran suicide is welcome news.
Veterans, their families and Labor have been calling for this since 2019.
Since the announcement of the Royal Commission on 19 April 2021, we have called for the Morrison Government to come up with broad and flexible Terms of Reference (ToR), and to ensure the voices of veterans and families are heard.
It is encouraging that the investigation will enquire into systemic issues related to defence and veteran suicides, including the possible contribution of pre-service, transition, separation and post-service issues.
It is concerning, however, that the Government wants to retain its flawed National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention alongside the Royal Commission while the National Commissioner legislation is stalled in the Senate.
Labor, along with many in the veteran community, has said we are open to a permanent body to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission, but only if this is a recommendation.
Further, Labor had called for the Government to appoint Commissioners who are of the right standing and independent from the Australian Defence Force, such as a current or former senior judge, in order to ensure trust and confidence in this process.
We broadly welcome the appointment of former NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas as lead commissioner and former Queensland Supreme Court Judge James Douglas QC and mental health expert Dr Peggy Brown AO as the other two commissioners.
It is disappointing, however, the Government has not consulted Labor on the ToR or the appointment of commissioners, and has failed to appoint any of the eminent individuals recommended by an expert advisory group convened by veteran advocate Julie-Ann Finney.
It is important that this Royal Commission now be a bipartisan issue.

Today the Government has formally established a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide following approval by the Governor-General.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Royal Commission recognised the unique nature of military service, and the ongoing effects on the physical and mental health of members and veterans as a result of their service.
“We recognise the contribution and sacrifice of the men and women who have served our country,” the Prime Minister said.
“The death of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is a tragedy that is deeply felt by all Australians. As a Government we are committed to addressing the ongoing impact of service, including preventing future deaths by suicide and providing opportunities for healing.”
The inquiry will be led by Mr Nick Kaldas APM, former Deputy Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force, where he commanded around 14,000 staff members and a budget of more than $2 billion. Mr Kaldas also has extensive international experience in law enforcement and peacekeeping, including as Director of Internal Oversight Services for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and as Chief of Investigations for the United Nations Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in Syria.
Mr Kaldas will be supported by:

• The Hon James Douglas QC, an esteemed former Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland and respected member of the legal community, and
• Dr Peggy Brown AO, a consultant psychiatrist and national leader in mental health policy with extensive experience in health and mental health service planning, governance and administration.
• Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
• Open Arms (current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families are able to seek this free and confidential support) – 1800 011 046
• ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line (for current serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 628 036.
• Safe Zone Support (for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 142 072. When you call Safe Zone Support, you do not need to identify yourself if you do not want to.

The Royal Commission will inquire into systemic issues and common themes related to defence and veteran death by suicide, including the possible contribution of pre-service, service, transition, separation and post-service issues, and other matters believed by the Royal Commission to be relevant to its inquiry.
The Royal Commission will be able to inquire into any previous death by suicide, including suspected suicide. It will be conducted independently of Government, including the Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs.
In making recommendations on systemic issues, the Royal Commission will be informed by the individual experiences of defence members, veterans and their families and support networks.
The Royal Commission will conduct its inquiries in a trauma-informed way and private sessions will be available to those who wish to share their story in private.
A legal financial assistance scheme will be available to people called as witnesses to the Royal Commission. An independent legal advisory service, counselling and support services will also be made available to people engaging with the Royal Commission.
The Terms of Reference have been informed by feedback received during an extensive public consultation process and views from states and territories. Over 3,000 submissions were received during the consultation on the themes.
“I thank all those who provided feedback on the themes for the Terms of Reference. Each piece of feedback received during this process was integral in informing the final Terms of Reference,” the Attorney General, Michaelia Cash, said.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee welcomed today’s announcement and said he hoped the Royal Commission became a seminal moment in Australia’s care of veterans and their families.
“The Royal Commission is a crucially important piece of national work that I hope can be a catalyst for positive change in the treatment and care of veterans and their families, both now and for future generations,” Minister Gee said.
“Our country asks so much of the men and women of the ADF and we owe it to them and our veterans to make sure that this Royal Commission and its findings lead to lasting results.”
The National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill, currently before the Parliament, will be amended to ensure that the National Commissioner will complement, and not duplicate, the Royal Commission’s important work. The National Commissioner will be the permanent body responsible for implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations. These landmark measures will together reduce deaths by suicide of defence members and veterans.
The proposed amendments will provide for the commencement of the National Commissioner’s functions and powers following the conclusion of the Royal Commission, or at an earlier point in time if recommended by the Royal Commission.
The Royal Commission is due to provide an interim report on 11 August 2022 and a final report on 15 June 2023.
Further information on the Royal Commission, including the Terms of Reference and information on how to make a submission will be available at https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au
The Australian Government is committed to supporting the health and well-being of those who have served our nation in the defence forces. $11.7 billion in federal funding supports more than 325,000 veterans and their families each year.
If you, or someone you know, need support, you can contact:

The Greens are calling on the Federal Government to commit to funding a pay increase for aged care workers saying the Government should have done this in the recent budget.
The Greens support the Nursing and Midwifery Federation and the Health Services Union push for a 25% increase to aged care workers pay saying current wages are insulting.
“Aged care workers and nurses are doing critical work and paid at frankly insulting rates”, Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“This is a skilled but feminised workforce and you don’t need to take many guesses why this work is so undervalued and underpaid.
“The Royal Commission recommended that the Government and the sector put in applications to the Fair Work Commission to improve wages, the Government need to come to the table and support the application.
“The Government can keep telling us they have ‘put money into aged care’ but $17 billion over 4 years is not enough to fix our broken aged care system.
“The sector needs $10 billion per year.
“The Grattan Institute has estimated we need another 70,000 workers to fix aged care and Deloitte estimated we need another 130,000 direct care workers by 2050 to maintain current staffing levels and we are not going to attract new workers or keep existing workers if they are not paid properly.
“If the Government is serious about fixing aged care, the workforce is at the heart of it and it starts with a desperately needed pay increase.
“Aged Care workers can no longer be seen as collateral damage in this failed system.”

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck will travel to Tokyo as a representative of the Commonwealth ahead of the IOC decision regarding the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
The trip represents an important opportunity across both his portfolios.
“This is an exciting time for Australian sport – securing the 2032 Games for Brisbane and Queensland will ensure Australia’s momentum as a host of international sporting events is maintained for years to come,” Minister Colbeck said.
“We know what this means for sport fans and our aspiring athletes but economically it represents a boost to the tune of billions of dollars and will provide a framework to help the Sunshine State – and the rest of Australia – as we navigate our way out of the pandemic.
“The economic and social benefits is estimated at around $8.1 billion for Queensland and $17.6 billion for Australia.
“The 2032 Games are projected to create some 120,000 jobs for Australia, including 90,000 jobs for Queensland.
“The successful bid will also reinforce the work that has been achieved so far by all bid partners and highlights what can be achieved when all levels of government work together and provide an aspirational target for a generation of young Australians watching the 2020 Games.”
Minister Colbeck said given the challenges faced by our elite athletes over the last two years – showing our support has never been so important.
“This will be an Olympics like we have never seen before.
“Our Olympic and Paralympic athletes are ready to make their mark on the world stage and Australians everywhere are ready to cheer them on.”
In addition to his formal role, Minister Colbeck also plans to meet with his Japanese counterparts in aged care.
This will be a significant opportunity to discuss the strategies of both nations in combating the pandemic across the aged care sector.
The Minister will quarantine as per requirements of all travellers returning to Australia.
He is due to receive his second AstraZeneca vaccination next week.

The Morrison Government is partnering with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) for an online learning package aimed at helping aged care providers and health professionals prevent, identify, and respond to sexual abuse.
Funded via a $168,000 grant from the Australian Government, OPAN is working with leading researcher Dr Catherine Barrett to develop Abuse of the older person: eLearning program for health professionals.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was an important contribution to reinforce the safety of those we care for most.
“Assaults on the elderly – in any form – are deplorable,” Minister Colbeck said.
“These incidents were underlined in the findings of the Royal Commission into Age Care Quality and Safety and the Morrison Government is more determined than ever to ensure those in care are treated with respect and dignity.”
OPAN’s online program, which will consist of 33 online learning modules, will also be aimed at health and allied health workers, such as GPs and optometrists, who may be the only people some senior Australians confide in if they are assaulted.
Dr Barrett will also launch a #ReadyToListen social media campaign to encourage senior Australians and their families to report sexual assault.
Minister Colbeck said the initiative would complement the Government’s $17.7 billion response to the Royal Commission.
“One of the five pillars of our comprehensive response is a $942 million investment in driving systemic improvements to residential quality and safety, and the learning package is certainly consistent with that objective,” Minister Colbeck said.
“I welcome this initiative as a positive step towards building the skills and capacity of aged care providers to better identify, prevent and respond to sexual assault.”
He said the Government’s Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is another key part of providing greater protections to consumers.
SIRS for residential aged care, including flexible care in a residential aged care setting, started on 1 April 2021.
It will be expanded into aged care home services from 1 July, 2022.
Minister Colbeck said the SIRS expands the responsibilities of aged care providers in relation to identifying, recording, managing, resolving and reporting assaults and a broader range of serious incidents in residential aged care.
“Combined with the vital programs implemented by OPAN, we continue to reinforce the protections for older Australians, ensuring peace-of-mind for those receiving care and their families.”