Category: Australian News

Harvey Norman’s record profits show the need to make big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share of tax, the Greens say.
“Harvey Norman is making super profits while millions of workers are trying to make ends meet in lockdown,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“Paying back some of the JobKeeper they took is a drop in the bucket compared to the massive dividends Gerry Harvey has paid himself and other shareholders.”
“Harvey Norman only paid back part of JobKeeper, and only after being publicly named and shamed.”
“This is why we need to know which companies got JobKeeper and how much they got, and to legislate to force profitable companies to pay it back.”
“The Australian Greens have tabled the Ending Jobkeeper Profiteering Bill which would achieve these things, and is currently before a Senate Committee.”
“Gerry Harvey pocketed $137m in dividends last financial year.”
“That Gerry Harvey is able to accumulate so much wealth in the middle of a pandemic shows just how broken Australia’s tax system is.”
“One in three big corporations pays no tax at all, and billionaires are accumulating obscene levels of wealth.”
“We need a billionaires tax to make the mega rich pay their fair share.”
“And we need a corporate super profits tax to stop mega corporations from draining life out of the economy to enrich their shareholders.”
“Making our tax system fairer would allow us to fund things like real climate action, dental into Medicare, affordable housing for everyone, an increase in Jobseeker to $80 a day and free childcare.”
Harvey Norman’s Results:
Company
Net profit (after tax): $841m
Dividends: $436m
G. Harvey
Dividends: $137m
JobKeeper
Parent company (paid back): $6m
Franchisees (not paid back): $14.6m

An Albanese Labor Government will help keep Australians safe from sexual harassment at work by investing in women’s support services, and establishing a one-stop shop to assist victims.
Labor will commit around $24 million to ensure there are properly funded Working Women’s Centres in every Australian state and territory.
Working Women’s Centres provide free, confidential assistance and advice about workplace matters, including sexual harassment, wage theft, and discrimination. Sadly, many Working Women’s Centres have cut back their services, closed, or face closure, because of the Liberals’ federal funding cuts.
Labor would work with states and territories and other relevant stakeholders on the establishment of new Working Women’s Centres.
Labor will invest $1.27 million to establish a one-stop shop, within the Australian Human Rights Commission, to assist victims of workplace sexual harassment. The one-stop shop would provide information about a victim’s rights, options for making a complaint, and referrals to support services. Employers will be able to access the one-stop shop for help understanding their responsibilities.
The Australian Human Rights Commission would also receive $1.5 million to hear and confidentially document the experiences of victims of historical workplace sexual harassment. This will allow the Commission to better identify how to strengthen the way we prevent and respond to sexual harassment at work, as well as helping victims come to terms with their experiences.
The announcements Labor is making today are part of our commitment to fully implement all 55 recommendations of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Respect@Work Report, to help keep Australians safe from sexual harassment at work.
Back in April, Scott Morrison promised he would adopt every recommendation in the Respect@Work Report. Sadly, he’s not.
After commissioning the work in 2018, the Morrison Government ignored the final Respect@Work for over a year, leaving it to gather dust on the desk of former Attorney General, Christian Porter. It should not have taken this long.
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner herself has described the Federal Government’s weak response to her Report as a “missed opportunity.”
In the past five years, one in three people experienced sexual harassment at work, including two in five women. This widespread workplace harassment costs the Australian economy $3.5 billion a year. It must stop.

Greens bring on a bill to increase ADF transparency, scrutiny, and ensure a vote of both houses of parliament would be needed for the ADF to engage in any future wars.
The Australian Greens War Powers Reform Bill will be before the Senate on Monday. This bill would mean that to deploy the ADF overseas there would need to be a vote of both houses of Parliament.
Right now, the Prime Minister and Cabinet can decide to send Australians to war, without the agreement of Parliament. A majority of the Australian community wants this to change^.
The Australian Greens War Powers Reform Act will:

• Ensure that there would be a vote of Parliament to send Australians to war overseas.
• Ensure greater accountability on the actions of the ADF, with parliament to receive regular updates about the need for our armed forces to be sent overseas, as well as the actions of our soldiers once their boots are on foreign soil.
• Bring Australia’s War Powers laws into line with Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden. amongst others.

Australian Greens Spokesperson for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament Senator Jordon Steele-John said:
“The Australian Greens are bringing forward this reform at a vital time. A time where Australians are watching the humanitarian disaster unfold in Afghanistan with deep sadness. At the end of the 20 year war in Afghanistan we must immediately begin to assess and evaluate how it came to this. Australia’s involvement in this disaster is a direct result of the way in which Australia went to war in the first place: without mission clarity, an identifiable enemy, and minimal accountability back to the parliament.
“The Prime Minister and Cabinet have decided unilaterally that the Australian Defence Force should follow the United States into disastrous conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. There has been no opportunity for community scrutiny, these conflicts have had unclear goals, minimal accountability, and there has been little guarantee that returning veterans will receive the support they need.
“The Brereton report outlined that the lack of mission clarity in Afghanistan and misemployment of a small pool of special forces with little respite, contributed to the appalling and shameful culture within the ADF. War crimes must never happen again, and the culture within the ADF must be turned around. The Australian Greens War Powers Reform Act will ensure that parliament is able to scrutinise the objectives of a conflict and ensure the ADF is more accountable to parliament; both will contribute to a urgently needed change of culture within the ADF.
“It is The Greens view that we must never again participate in a colonial war of aggression. Our goal must always be peace.
“The War Powers Reform Act will ensure that a peace-focused approach is brought to our defense force, and that members of parliament will be held to account for the consequences of sending Australians to war.”
Background
^According to a nationwide Roy Morgan opinion poll, released in Nov 2020, 83.3% of Australians want Parliament to vote on whether our troops are sent into armed conflict abroad. The poll found that more than 75% of all Labor, Coalition and Greens voters support the reform

Skilled workforce for aged care will be strengthened with the Morrison Government extending the ability for student visa holders to work longer hours across the sector in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The temporary extension of the removal of working hour restrictions applies to all student visa holders working in the aged care sector, regardless of when they commenced that work.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Government understands the increase in staffing pressures across aged care.
“While the vaccination program means we are seeing fewer hospitalisations and deaths, our workforce continues to be placed under pressure because of COVID-19,” Minister Hunt said.
“Many aged care workers, nurses and other staff have been working at a higher intensity during the pandemic. All Australians are thankful for their efforts, and the Australian Government is working to ease that pressure.
“The Government is ensuring student visa holders working in aged care can take on additional hours, and this provides an important extra workforce.”
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said it was an important mechanism that offered reassurance to providers.
“We understand the uncertainty providers have been facing during this challenging time,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This extension will help reinforce staff rosters, ensuring providers will have continued access to skilled and compassionate workers and ultimately ensure the health and wellbeing of our loved ones in care is a priority.”
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, said the extension of the temporary relaxation of working hour restrictions will provide certainty for workers.
“This will continue the arrangement where student visa holders have been able to perform more than 40 hours of work a fortnight in aged care without impacting their visa status, which was introduced in response to the pandemic,” Minister Hawke said.
“We want student visa holders to have the flexibility to take on extra work with aged care providers, which will increase the capacity of their employers and colleagues to respond to the pandemic.
“Previously, student visa holders who had started with their employer after 8 September 2020 were excluded from this arrangement, however that condition has now been removed.”
All aged care approved providers or Commonwealth funded aged care service providers that have been issued with a RACS ID or a NAPS ID have been given access to the temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders.
Student visa holders already enrolled in nursing can undertake work at the request of health officials to help and support the health effort against COVID-19. No enforcement actions will be taken against student nurses working in these circumstances.

The Morrison Government is acting to ensure older and isolated residents of Greater Shepparton have access to support services as the impact from the latest COVID-19 outbreak continues.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck and Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, have acknowledged the situation facing Shepparton residents, particularly for seniors who may be isolated and unable to get their essentials easily or safely.
Staff are on standby on the Government’s My Aged Care hotline (1800 200 422) for any locals aged 65 or over and Indigenous residents over 50 who are worried about shopping for groceries or having trouble preparing meals.
“I urge anyone in that situation to call the My Aged Care team, who will arrange support by a local Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider,” Minister Colbeck said.
The My Aged Care hotline is available on Saturday from 10am to 2pm, and weekdays from 8am to 8pm.
The CHSP is an entry-level home support program. It helps people over 65 years to live safe and independent lives in their own homes and communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over 50 years are also eligible for support under the program.
Eligible senior Australians can access CHSP services for up to six weeks in an emergency – such as a COVID-19 outbreak – without an assessment.
Importantly, if ongoing support is needed, the CHSP service provider will help people arrange a formal assessment of their care needs.
Mr Drum said in difficult times residents across Shepparton and surrounding districts pulled together.
“The people of Greater Shepparton have already showcased the strength needed to get through this challenge,” Mr Drum said.
“But it is vital we look out for one another.
“In every street and down every road there is somebody you can talk to, who is willing to offer assistance or put you in contact with somebody who can.”
Minister Colbeck said the mental toll of COVID-19 and the social isolation of lockdowns was of particular concern for older Australians.
“For the people of Shepparton, and indeed across the country, help is at hand if you’re feeling lonely, anxious or depressed,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Too often senior Australians go it alone when they need a helping hand.
“Please, put pride aside and pick up the phone if you need assistance in any way. There are services and support available.
“Importantly, if you have an elderly neighbour, friend or relative – it is more important than ever to check in with them across the fence, via phone or video call to ensure they are receiving the support they need.”
Mental health resources available to senior Australians include the Older Person’s COVID-19 Support Line on 1800 171 866, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or online at headtohealth.gov.au

The Scheme will provide Australians with quick access to compensation for COVID-19 claims related to the administration of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved COVID-19 vaccine delivered through a Commonwealth Government approved program.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme offers protection to Australians receiving a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine, irrespective of where that vaccination occurs.
“Side effects, or adverse events, from COVID-19 vaccinations can occur, but most are mild and last no longer than a couple of days. Serious and life-threatening side effects are very rare, but it is important that we provide a safety net to support those affected,” Minister Hunt said.
“It also ensure that health professionals administering vaccines will be able to continue with their crucial role in the vaccine roll out with assurance that the claims scheme will offer them protection.”
The Scheme will be administered by Services Australia and will provide Australians with a single front door to a simple and quick administrative process for compensation. The TGA will provide guidance on recognised adverse reactions as part of their established surveillance program.
From 6 September Australians who suffer injury and loss of income due to their COVID-19 vaccine will be able to register their intent to claim from the COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme webpage.
The Scheme will cover the costs of injuries above $5,000 due to a proven adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccination. Claims will be assessed by independent experts, and compensation paid based on the recommendations.
The cost of compensation payments under this Scheme will be fully funded by the Commonwealth and is designed to help the small number of people who unfortunately experience a moderate to significant adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Scheme will be backdated to February 2021 and provide Australians with an alternative, administrative option to seek compensation, rather than a complex and costly court process.
Australians who receive a COVID-19 vaccination and have an adverse event are encouraged to report it to their doctor who can provide the information to the TGA to ensure such events are included in its reporting.

From 1 September 2021, thousands of Australians living with schizophrenia, liver disease, lymphoma and anaphylaxis will have access to new treatments through new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
For the first time, Australians with schizophrenia will have access to the antipsychotic Reagila^® (cariprazine).
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition with a wide range of symptoms and affects about 1 in 100 people.
The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, and symptoms usually begin in late adolescence or early adulthood. Generally a long‑term illness, schizophrenia cause serious disability if left untreated.
It is expect that over 39,500 Australians will benefit from this new treatment option. Without PBS subsidy, Australians might pay more than $1,200 per year for treatment.
In another first, Ocaliva^® (obeticholic acid) is being listed from 1 September for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a chronic disease which causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts within the liver.
Women are 10 times more likely to develop PBC than men and while there is currently no cure, treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and ease symptoms.
If left untreated and as liver damage worsens, primary biliary cholangitis can cause serious health problems, including liver cancer, liver scarring, high cholesterol and decreased mental function amongst other conditions.
Without PBS subsidy, around 890 Australians per year might pay more than $60,500 per course of treatment.
Anapen®, an alternative brand of adrenaline auto-injector, will also be listed on the PBS for the first time for Australians with anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction.
When injected, adrenaline works rapidly to reduce throat swelling, open up the airways and maintain heart function and blood pressure.
In addition, Australians will also have access to a new strength of this medicine in the auto-injector form. Over 126,000 people would otherwise pay approximately $80 for this treatment without PBS subsidy
Australians living with previously untreated CD30 positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) will also benefit from the extension of Adcetris^® (brentuximab vedotin) on the PBS.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting network. PTCL is an aggressive cancer and affects both adults and children, however it is more common in those aged 60 years and over.
Around 65 Australians per year will benefit from this listing, which without PBS subsidy might pay more than $85,000 per course of treatment.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 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 $13.6 billion,” Minister Hunt said.
“Without PBS subsidies many Australians would be thousands of dollars out of pocket, instead they’ll only pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card for these medicines.
“The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.”
These PBS listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The Labor and Liberal parties have voted to pass the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 which makes three new warrants available to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Network activity warrants allow the AFP or ACIC to monitor online activity, without investigating or accusing a person of a crime. Account takeover warrants enable police to take over an account and change their data, which could then be used as evidence in a criminal proceeding.
Data disruption warrants grant law enforcement data disruption powers to stop the suspected commission of an offence using a computer. If a person with relevant knowledge does not comply with a data disruption warrant, it could result in a 10 year jail term.
“The Richardson review concluded that this bill enables the AFP and ACIC to be ‘judge, jury and executioner.’ That’s not how we deliver justice in this country.” said Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice.
“The bill does not identify or explain why these powers are necessary and our allies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand do not grant law enforcement these rights.
“The Greens put forward amendments to balance these powers with a robust human rights framework that would protect innocent people from the abuse of powers contained in this bill, but we were outvoted by the major parties.
“As our laws evolve to combat cyber-enabled crime, our human rights need to evolve as well to protect us from cyber-enabled abuses of power.”

The National Cabinet met today for the 53rd time 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.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 48,815 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 991 people have died. More than 30.7 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,742,613 tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 214.5 million cases and sadly over 4.4 million deaths, with 711,553 new cases and 11,051 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 over 18.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 307,090 in the previous 24 hours.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1.8 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 55 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 75 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 85 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 33 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 48.7 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 60.8 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Today, Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19. The Chief Medical Officer has announced a number of hotspots across Australia in NSW, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
Leaders noted the health system capacity in place is across to support the current outbreaks.
National Cabinet agreed to establish a cross jurisdictional working group led by the Commonwealth Secretary of Health, with the heads of all state and territory Health Departments to report back to National Cabinet by 3 September 2021, on the health and hospital system capacity and workforce needs to address expected demands under the National Plan, taking into account the Doherty Institute modelling reports to National Cabinet.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided an update on the vaccine roll out and the planned roll out to children aged 12-15 years of age, based on recommendations of ATAGI. The rollout to 12-15 year olds will commence from 13 September 2021.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are registered for use in Australia and are proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and death, as well as limiting transmission.
National Cabinet noted the work underway through the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce report and the Doherty modelling for the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response. Professor Jodie McVernon from the Doherty Institute updated National Cabinet on draft modelling scenarios and sensitivity analysis, confirming the recommendation of the 70% and 80% thresholds from the Doherty Institute’s earlier report that formed the basis of the National Plan.
Further work is underway on the scenarios as well as modelling of optimisation of the public health measures and managing outbreak responses and scenarios to support vulnerable cohorts and areas with low vaccination uptake. These will be presented by the Doherty Institute at future meetings once finalised.
National Cabinet noted the significantly expanded scale of the evacuation from Afghanistan in a dangerous and deteriorating situation.
The Prime Minister thanked state and territory leaders for the substantial increase in quarantine places made available to accommodate the approximately 4,100 evacuees who would be welcomed to Australia over the coming days and weeks.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 3 September 2021.

The Morrison Government is providing additional support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) who continue to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis by expanding eligibility for the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.
In recognition of the continued economic impacts of COVID-19, the Government will remove requirements for SMEs to have received JobKeeper during the March quarter of 2021 or to have been a flood affected business in order to be eligible under the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.
As with the existing scheme, SMEs who are dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus with a turnover of less than $250 million will be able to access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years. Other key features of the SME Recovery Loan Scheme include:

• The Government guarantee will be 80 per cent of the loan amount.
• Lenders are allowed to offer borrowers a repayment holiday of up to 24 months.
• Loans can be used for a broad range of business purposes, including to support investment.
• Loans may be used to refinance any pre-existing debt of an eligible borrower, including those from the SME Guarantee Scheme.
• Loans can be either unsecured or secured (excluding residential property).

The expanded Scheme will enable lenders to continue supporting Australian small businesses when they need it most.
The SME Recovery Loan Scheme builds on earlier loan schemes introduced during COVID-19, under which around 74,000 loans totalling around $6.2 billion were written.
The loans will be available through participating lenders until 31 December 2021. The expansion complements other financial support the Commonwealth is offering to businesses impacted by the current COVID-19 health restrictions.
The Morrison Government will continue to support small businesses as they seek to rebuild, adapt and create jobs on the other side of this crisis.
Further information can be found on the Treasury website.