Category: Australian News

The Morrison Government will increase the minimum meals unit price to $7.50 to help aged care providers deliver meals to older Australians receiving aged care at home.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was a significant step forward to reinforce the tremendous efforts of food providers which help meet the nutritional needs of an increasing number of older Australians.
“This vital measure puts the health and wellbeing of older Australians first, while strengthening the viability of meal providers across the country,” Minister Colbeck said.
The mechanism will see the minimum unit price of $4.90 paid to providers lifted by $2.60.
The changes are expected to be implemented over the course of 2021-22.
It amounts to a $7 million funding injection under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
The CHSP provides home support to Australians aged 65 years and over (or 50 years and over for Indigenous Australians) living at home and in their own communities.
Meals are delivered under the CHSP to ensure food security and nutritional and social benefits for older Australians.
In 2020-21, there are 571 meals providers funded by the Australian Government to deliver 11.5 million meals across Australia.
One provider alone, Meals on Wheels, has been operating in hundreds of metropolitan and rural communities nationally for more than 60 years.
More than 10 million meals every year are delivered with the support of more than 76,000 Meals on Wheels volunteers.
As part of National Volunteer Week, Minister Colbeck acknowledged the efforts of volunteers across the aged care sector – from those caring for loved ones at home to those who give their time to ensure older and vulnerable Australians receive good food and nutrition.
“Volunteers are the backbone of Australia – but across the aged care sector, each and every day there are remarkable examples from people who put the needs of others ahead of their own,” Minister Colbeck said.
“These people are ultimately providing an important mechanism for older Australians to stay connected, healthy and happy.
“Thank you to the hundreds of thousands of people volunteer their time to improve the lives of others.”

The Australian Government has today launched its National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management, providing Australians living with chronic pain access to the care and support they need.
Providing a whole-of-care approach, the Plan recommends eight goals and will focus on reducing the burden of disease and improving the quality of life and care for patients.
It will also outline the importance of educating Australians on understanding and managing pain, as well as providing a framework for health practitioners on how to deliver the best treatment and care to patients.
Developed by Painaustralia, with $170,000 from the Australian Government, the Plan is a national approach towards support chronic pain and has been endorsed by health ministers from every state and territory.
The Government is providing $2.5 million towards the early implementation of the plan, including:

• $1 million to the University of Sydney – Pain Management Research Institute to train health professionals how to offer pain management care more effectively.
• $500,000 to the Australian New Zealand College of Anaesthetists to improve the availability of, and access to, consistent and up-to-date information, training and education programs for health professionals on the appropriate management and care for people living with chronic pain.
• $1 million to Painaustralia to support consumer education and awareness for people affected by pain.

We have also allocated $4.3 million to expand pain management services for regional, rural and remote Australians through the Rural Health Outreach
Chronic pain affects more than three million Australians, who suffer from a persistent pain, restricting the ability to work and sleep and costing the economy more than $70 billion each year.
Smoking, physical inactivity, genetics and increased age are all factors that can increase the likelihood of developing chronic pain.
The National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management is available at https://health.gov.au/resourc

The Senate has supported a Greens referral to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee to conduct a Senate inquiry into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
There have been a series of changes and cost-saving measures over recent years that have reduced the number of people able to access the Disability Support Program. Since then, there has been a sharp decline in people applying for and being approved for the DSP.
These changes have also seen a significant increase in sick and disabled people on other payments and having to deal with the JobActive and Disability Employment Services system. These changes also mean that many people must complete a so called Program of Support.
Labour force participation rates for disabled people have remained static for the past 20 years despite Disability Employment Services receiving significant levels of funding. This is an issue that causes a great deal of concern to disabled people.
The inquiry will shine a light on these serious issues and give disabled people and community members an opportunity to make submissions on programs and policies that have such significant impact on their lives.
Terms of reference:
That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee, for inquiry and report by Tuesday 30 November 2021:
The purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension, with specific reference to:
a. the purpose of the Disability Support Pension;
b. the Disability Support Pension eligibility criteria, assessment and determination, including the need for health assessments and medical evidence and the right to review and appeal;
c. the impact of geography, age and other characteristics on the number of people receiving the Disability Support Pension;
d. the impact of the Disability Support Pension on a disabled person’s ability to find long term, sustainable and appropriate, employment within the open labour market;
e. the capacity of the Disability Support Pension to support persons with disabilities, chronic conditions and ill health, including its capacity to facilitate and support labour market participation where appropriate;
f. discrimination within the labour market and its impact on employment, unemployment and underemployment of persons with disabilities and their support networks;
g. the adequacy of the Disability Support Pension and whether it allows people to maintain an acceptable standard of living in line with community expectations;
h. the appropriateness of current arrangements for supporting disabled people experiencing insecure employment, inconsistent employment, precarious hours in the workforce; and inequitable workplace practices;
i. the economic benefits of improved income support payments and supports for persons with disabilities, their immediate households and broader support services and networks;
j. the relative merits of alternative investments in other programs to improve the standard of living of persons with disabilities;
k. any related matters.

The Morrison Government is taking strong action to further boost Australia’s long-term fuel security by locking in the future of our refining sector.
The Government’s fuel security package will help secure Australia’s recovery from the COVID crisis and it will help secure our sovereign fuel stocks, locking in jobs and protecting families and businesses from higher fuel prices.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was delivering on its commitment to maintain a self-sufficient refining capability in Australia by supporting the operation of the Ampol refinery in Lytton (Queensland) and the Viva Energy refinery in Geelong (Victoria). The package will protect the jobs of 1,250 direct employees across the two refineries and create another 1,750 construction jobs.
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said locking in Australia’s fuel security would deliver benefits for all Australians.
“This is a key plank of our plan to secure Australia’s recovery from the pandemic, and to prepare against any future crises,” the Prime Minister said.
“Shoring up our fuel security means protecting 1,250 jobs, giving certainty to key industries, and bolstering our national security.
“Earlier investment in Australia’s ability to produce better quality fuels, including ultra-low sulfur levels, will also improve air quality and deliver an estimated $1 billion in lower health costs.
“Major industries like agriculture, transport and mining, as well as mum and dad motorists, will have more certainty and can look forward to vehicle maintenance savings and greater choice of new vehicle models.
“This next stage in our plan for Australia’s recovery will create jobs and make our country more self-sufficient and secure.”
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia’s economy is reliant on fuel and this significant package will not only lock-in our refineries, but the jobs of thousands of Australians.
“Fuel is what keeps us and the economy moving. That is why we are backing our refineries,” Minister Taylor said.
“Supporting our refineries will ensure we have the sovereign capability needed to prepare for any event, protect families and businesses from higher prices at the bowser, and keep Australia moving as we secure our recovery from COVID-19.”
The 2021-22 Budget initiatives include:

• A variable Fuel Security Service Payment (FSSP) to the refineries, funded by the Government, which recognises the fuel security benefits refineries provide to all Australians;
• Up to $302 million in support for major refinery infrastructure upgrades to help refiners bring forward the production of better-quality fuels from 2027 to 2024; and
• $50.7 million for the implementation and monitoring of the FSSP and the minimum stockholding obligation (MSO), ensuring industry complies with the new fuel security framework.

The variable FSSP has been costed up to AUD$2.047 billion to 2030 in a worst-case scenario.
This figure assumes that both refineries are paid at the highest rate over the entire nine years in COVID-19-like economic conditions, which is unlikely as the economy recovers.
Actual payments are expected to be less than this, as payments are linked to refining margins at the time and to actual production of key transport fuels.
Payments will be made between the following ranges, limiting the downside risk for refineries:

• Refineries will receive 0 cent per litre (cpl) when the margin marker hits $10.20/bbl (the collar)
• Refineries will receive a maximum of 1.8 cpl when the marker drops to $7.30/bbl (the cap).

This will mean that the refineries are only supported in downtimes, and will not receive Government support when they are performing well.
Refineries will have an option to extend the support and their commitment out to mid-2030.
The Government is also ensuring better quality fuel is provided across Australia earlier.
We will work with the refineries to bring forward improvements to fuel quality from 2027 to 2024 by co-investing with domestic refiners to undertake the necessary infrastructure upgrades for low sulfur fuel production.
Accelerating the necessary major infrastructure upgrades will create up to an additional 1,750 construction jobs, bringing flow-on benefits to the Lytton and Geelong communities.
The Government will also accelerate the industry-wide review of the petrol and diesel standard to 2021, including a consideration of aromatics levels. This aims to create a Euro-6 equivalent petrol and diesel standard that are appropriate for Australia.
The Government will work with both refineries on their plans to consider future fuel technologies and other development opportunities. This will include the refineries’ roles in the roll-out of future fuels, such as electric vehicle charging and hydrogen transport infrastructure.
The Government will introduce the Fuel Security Bill to the Parliament in the coming weeks. This Bill will implement the FSSP to ensure it can begin on 1 July 2021, and set the key parameters for the Minimum Stockholding Obligation that will commence in 2022.
This package implements the Morrison Government’s commitment to the refining sector, announced as part of the 2020-21 Budget, and complements other measures including increased onshore diesel storage and taking advantage of record low prices to store oil in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

The Morrison Government is guaranteeing the essential services Australians rely on in Budget 2021-22.
As part of the Budget, we are delivering two tailored programs designed and delivered by people with disability. These programs will promote accessible and inclusive healthcare practises, and boost community participation in sport for Australians with disability.
A new pilot program for health professionals will be rolled out across five hospitals to develop the most effective way to increase disability inclusion across the hospital sector. The program will provide a range of online resources, face-to-face seminars and training programs that will be designed and delivered by people with disability.
The Government will also launch a program across more than 500 schools and local clubs to increase sporting participation among people with disability from remote communities and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Sport4All program is targeted at both schools and sporting clubs to ensure people with disability are welcome and have the same opportunities to participate.
These programs will be delivered by Get Skilled Access, a disability-run organisation with years of experience providing awareness training to organisations across Australia.
Almost one in five Australians has a disability. The findings from these programs will be considered in the new National Disability Strategy to support people with disability over the next ten years.

Flights facilitated by the Australian Government to return Australians from India have resumed, with a plane departing Sydney today set to pick up passengers in New Delhi before arriving back in Darwin tomorrow.
The flight will also carry further life-saving oxygen equipment to India to support its COVID-19 response. These passengers will quarantine at the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs in the Northern Territory. All passengers will undergo PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing before they travel.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne said this temporary pause has helped mitigate the risk of potentially higher rates of infection presenting on arrival in Australia and ensured Australia’s quarantine system was able to receive further flights.
“These government-facilitated flights will be focused on returning Australian citizens, residents and families who have registered with our High Commission and consular offices within India and will prioritise the most vulnerable people.”
Tomorrow’s flight into Darwin brings the total number of government facilitated commercial flights from India to 39 – returning over 6,400 Australians since March 2020.
This will be the second flight of essential medical supplies to support our partners in their COVID-19 health response under the Morrison Government’s $37.1 million support package for India, which is experiencing a severe rate of COVID-19 infections.
The next government-facilitated commercial flight from India is expected to arrive in Darwin on 23 May. Arrangements for further facilitated flights into Australia are underway.
Australia has now delivered over 15 tonnes of medical supplies to India, including over 2,000 ventilators and more than 100 oxygen concentrators.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt, said the Australian Government stands ready to offer further emergency medical supplies if requested by the Indian Government.
“The Australian Government is committed to doing all it can to support the Indian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Hunt said.
Minister Payne also praised the response of Australian businesses and everyday Australians and welcomed the support offered from state and territory governments.
The Victorian Government has committed 1,000 ventilators, the Queensland Government has donated $2 million in relief funds to the Australian Red Cross and Western Australia has also donated $2 million in relief funds. The Australian Government is in close consultation with the New South Wales and South Australian governments on their proposed support to India.
The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance. For urgent consular assistance, contact the Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas and 1300 555 135 from within Australia.
Australians seeking travel advice should consult the Smartraveller website. For nonurgent enquiries, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate or email smartraveller@dfat.gov.au

The Morrison Government today announces that it will extend the final reporting date for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability to 29 September 2023.
This provides an additional 17 months to account for the impact of COVID-19 and recognising the broad issues of inquiry under the Royal Commission’s terms of reference.
“This extension will enable the Government to receive and implement recommendations as expeditiously as possible,” Minister Ruston said.
“This will make meaningful change to the lives of people with disability, while also enabling the Royal Commission to fulfil its terms of reference.
“We remain focused on supporting people with disability, their families and supporters, advocacy groups and the disability community.”
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said the Government had favourably acted on requests from the Chair since the inquiry started.
“The Government has added a seventh Commissioner, refined the Letters Patent to articulate the Chair’s role and progressed legislative amendments to the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to assist the Commission’s workload,” the Attorney-General said.
The Royal Commission is independent from Government and sets its own processes including how it approaches its terms of reference, informs itself for the inquiry and, importantly, hears directly from people with disability, their families and loved ones.
The Government continues to fund free and independent counselling and advocacy support for people with disability that have experienced violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, as well as their families and carers, and anyone affected by the Royal Commission.
A national legal advisory service and legal financial assistance scheme are funded and available for people or entities giving evidence or engaging in other ways with the Royal Commission. Additional funding for support services for an extended reporting date will be considered through the ordinary budget processes.
The Government looks forward to receiving the Royal Commission’s final report on 29 September 2023.

The Australian Greens are horrified by the ongoing escalation in violence in Israel and Palestine, which has resulted in more than 109 Palestinians and 7 Israelis being killed.
Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens foreign affairs spokesperson, said:
“This escalation in violence follows the threatened evictions of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah to make way for Israeli settlers, and the restrictions and violence against worshippers at Al-Aqsa mosque during Ramadan.
“Fundamentally, the latest outbreak in violence stems from the Israeli Government’s unlawful and unjust occupation of Palestine, which has subjected Palestinians to systematic discrimination and oppression.
“The Greens oppose any violence, whether that be airstrikes or rockets, especially that which impacts innocent civilians. But we cannot ignore the asymmetry of power or that this cycle of violence will not end until the root causes of injustice are addressed.  It will not stop until the occupation ends – we must end the evictions, the illegal settlements, the demolitions and the oppression.
“Staying silent is not an option. If the Australian Government is committed to a two-state solution, it must forcefully call on the Israeli Government to cease its occupation of Palestine.  Once again we urge the Morrison Government to recognise Palestine.”

Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that Labor’s plan doesn’t go nearly far enough to tackle the housing crisis, slash waiting lists and provide universal housing.
Senator Faruqi said:
“The scale of the housing crisis requires serious ambition and unprecedented funding. Labor has missed the mark on that front.
“Any housing plan that doesn’t dismantle the tax loopholes which inflate prices isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. Labor has failed to renew its commitment to wind back negative gearing and capital gains tax exemptions, forgoing revenue that could be used to build more homes.
“When it comes to new builds, we need to be talking in the hundreds of thousands of homes – not in the tens of thousands.
“The sector expects that over the next fifteen years, we’ll need more than 700,000 new dwellings. Labor’s commitment is a fraction of what’s required.
“The Greens have committed to building one million homes over the next twenty years to obliterate public housing waiting lists, finally end homelessness, and ensure everyone has a roof over their head.”

The world’s climate emergency should be Australia’s jobs opportunity.
But after eight long years of energy policy chaos under the Liberals – it’s an opportunity missed.
An Albanese Labor Government will invest $100 million to support 10,000 New Energy Apprenticeships.
It will encourage apprentices to train in the new energy jobs of the future.
Examples of eligible industries include rooftop solar installation and maintenance, large-scale renewable projects including emerging green hydrogen, energy efficiency upgrades to homes and businesses, renewable manufacturing, and relevant agricultural activities.
Australia has some of the world’s best natural assets – solar, wind and minerals that could power the globe’s new energy economy.
And some of the smartest, hardest-working people on earth.
Yet three in four solar companies say they have difficulty recruiting electricians because they can’t find workers with specific experience in renewables.
Instead of securing new energy jobs for Australians, the Liberals have wasted 8 years worrying about their own jobs and bickering over more than 22 climate policies.
Under Labor, new energy apprentices will receive $10,000 over the cycle of their apprenticeship in a new energy industry.
This incentive payment will encourage today’s apprentices to take on the occupations that we need for the new energy economy.
The program cuts across multiple skillsets – sparkies, mechanics, fridgies, construction workers, and more – because the opportunities new energy presents are economy wide.
Labor will also invest $10 million in a New Energy Skills Program to tailor skills training to the specific needs of new energy industries.
The New Energy Skills Program will work with the states, industry and unions to ensure workers have access to training pathways that are fit-for-purpose.
This is a downpayment on the many measures to support employment security for existing energy workers as part of Labor’s jobs-focussed climate policy.
The skills and training sector can supercharge Australian ingenuity and spur on economic growth, but only a Labor Government understands the power of it.
A Prime Minister that can barely say the word solar can’t deliver these jobs for Australian tradies.
Yes, Australia is a lucky country – but it’s our people that make it so.
We need a Government that invests in them and their skills to turn that luck into gold.
And that’s exactly what an Albanese Labor Government will do.
Chris Bowen, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy said:
“The world’s climate emergency should be Australia’s jobs opportunity – but under Scott Morrison it’s an opportunity missed.”
 
We’re directly supporting apprentices to train in the new energy industries that will boost our economy”