Category: Australian News

Australian manufacturers can now apply for a share of $800 million in funding for major job creating projects under the Collaboration Stream of the Morrison Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
Funding of between $20 million and $200 million is available, covering up to 33 per cent of eligible project expenditure.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the Government will strategically invest in projects that will help manufacturers to scale up and create jobs, with investments targeted at projects within the six National Manufacturing Priority areas.
“As a Government we plan to harness Australia’s manufacturing capability to drive job creation and spur private investment, especially as we chart our economic recovery from COVID-19 and build our future resilience,” Minister Porter said.
“Through the Collaboration Stream, we are determined to co-invest in industry-led proposals that will transform our National Manufacturing Priority areas, by encouraging manufacturers to move up the value chain to higher value, higher margin activities, including drawing on our world class research.
“This is at the heart of our $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy which is all designed to support Australian manufacturers to scale-up, build resilience, become more competitive and create the jobs we need not only now but for generations to come.”
The six National Manufacturing Priority areas are: medical products; clean energy and recycling; food and beverage; defence; space and resource technology and critical minerals processing.
Applications are open until 9 September. More details and the guidelines are available at www.business.gov.au/mmic

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report on climate science reinforces the need for a coordinated, global effort to reduce emissions.
The report, released today, provides an update on the latest physical science on climate change, including the rates, causes and likely future trajectories of global warming and other changes to the climate system.
Overcoming these challenges is a shared responsibility.
Australia is committed to achieving net zero emissions as soon as possible, and preferably by 2050, and to meeting and exceeding our 2030 commitment, as we already have with our 2020 targets.
Since 2018, Australia’s 2030 position has improved by 639 million tonnes (equivalent to taking all of Australia’s 14.7 million cars off the road for 15 years). The Government will release updated forecasts ahead of COP26 which are expected to show a further improvement.
These improvements are driven by Australian households and businesses adopting new energy technologies at record rates. Australia now has the most solar per person of any country in the world, the most wind and solar of any country outside of Europe, and the highest uptake of household solar in the world.
The Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap is positioning Australia to be a leader in the next generation of low-emissions technologies that will make net zero emissions practically achievable.
The Roadmap will drive $80 billion of investment in low emissions technologies in Australia by 2030 and create 160,000 jobs.
We are reducing emissions in a way that transforms industries through the power of technology, not through taxes that destroy them and the jobs and livelihoods they support and create.
We are focused on getting low emissions energy sources to commercial parity with high-emitting alternatives to reduce emissions across all sectors of the economy while creating jobs and economic growth. This is a practical approach with global application.
Australia is driving increased global cooperation on low emissions technologies through new international partnerships with Germany, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom and constructive engagement in multilateral forms like Mission Innovation.
When it comes to emissions reduction, our record is one of delivery and achievement that Australians can be proud of.
Our technology-led approach to reducing emissions will see Australia continue to playing its part in the global effort to combat climate change without compromising our economy or jobs.

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report makes it clear the government’s current 2030 climate targets amount to a death sentence for Australia.
This major report exposes the stark reality that without emergency action and an increase to  2030 targets we will head past the 1.5 degree goal in the Paris Agreement, potentially within a few years.
The report must now force action from the government to lift Australia’s ambition by doubling to tripling our 2030 targets, and Labor must stop letting the government off the hook with its silence on 2030 targets.
The report highlights that we are already experiencing extreme weather, including more frequent and more intense heatwaves, fire weather, droughts and extreme rainfall events, and heading for much, much worse, including the threat of crossing tipping points in the climate system that will take us past the point of no return with “many changes irreversible for centuries to millennia” and having enormous impacts on Australia.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:
“The Greens, the G7, Joe Biden and Boris Johnson agree, while Liberal and Labor are with Saudia Arabia and Russia in 2030 denial.
“After this report, failure to lift 2030 targets is criminal negligence.
“This report shows Scott Morrison’s 2030 targets are a death sentence for Australia.
“Exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming means that we will lose the Great Barrier Reef, have widespread and sustained drought, more extreme weather events, and catastrophic bushfires will become the norm.
“The rest of the world understands that if we don’t do more by 2030, we all go over the climate cliff, so the Liberals’ 2030 denial and Labor’s 2030 silence are putting Australian lives at risk.
“Delay is the new denial, we can’t wait until 2050, and anything less than 75% emissions cuts by 2030 means giving up on the 1.5 degree goal in the Paris Agreement.”
The Greens’ Climate Policy:

• Net zero emissions by 2035 and 75% cuts by 2030, consistent with the science and the independent Climate Targets Panel, which found that cuts of 50% on 2005 levels by 2030 were needed for a 2 degree climate goal, and 75% necessary for a 1.5 degree goal.
• Lead the world on climate action by phasing out coal stations and exports by 2030 and legislating against new coal mines and gas fields.
• Achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030 and work towards 700% renewables, funding a massive investment in infrastructure that will transform our energy system over the next decade and grow a new export industry.
• Phase in 100% electric light vehicle sales by 2030, with subsidies to make them affordable for all
• Reduce bills by $200 a year by creating a publicly owned energy provider and subsidising investment in solar power and batteries.
• Build a multi-billion dollar clean energy export industry to replace coal exports.
• Invest in local coal and gas communities so they can attract the jobs and new industries they want, retain, upskill and ensure these local communities can continue to thrive.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the release today of the Big Steps/United Workers Union report Exhausted, Undervalued and Leaving: The Crisis in Early Education. The survey of more than 3,800 educators finds a sector at ‘breaking point’, with high turnover, low pay, and no plan from the Federal Government to fix it.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This report makes for very alarming reading. This is a story of government neglect, an undervalued workforce, privatisation, and an essential service delivered on the back of burnt-out staff.
“It’s a national shame that early educators are taken for granted in this country. Staff are leaving in droves and frankly the sector is in crisis. We should not be in a situation of chronic understaffing and high turnover.
“The government needs to completely rethink its approach to early learning and care. That means strong and sustained investment to make early childhood education free once more, and a workforce strategy that deals directly with issues of low pay and understaffing.
“Perhaps not surprisingly, this report finds worse results for staff in for-profit centres as opposed to not-for-profit services. Education is not a business.
“The Greens back the Big Steps campaign and the call for a workforce strategy that delivers higher wages for early educators. Early learning is invaluable for children and educators deserve our utmost respect.”

The Greens say it is unconscionable for the Government to be chasing income support recipients for JobKeeper debts when billionaires collected millions in Jobkeeper while turning significant profits.
“There is a clear double standard between individuals receiving income support and businesses who claimed Jobkeeper”, Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“I am certain the vast majority of these so-called debts will be genuine mistakes in a confusing system.
“It is outrageous that people on income support have debt notices – where are the debt notices for the billionaires?
“If billionaires can keep their JobKeeper payments while making huge profits, then people who sought support during the pandemic and have made a mistake should not be punished.
“What a joke for the Government to say both programs have strong compliance frameworks. We have huge corporations and exclusive private schools getting millions in handouts.
“The Government should focus on giving people on income support higher payments to get through the latest lockdowns.”

Australia’s personal care workforce is being strengthened and increased under a $91.8 million Morrison Government initiative helping older people live at home for longer.
In another comprehensive response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Home Care Workforce Support Program will help administrators attract, train and retain approximately 13,000 new personal care workers by mid-2023.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the program would rapidly increase the number and skills of people providing aged care in the home.
“The grants will support the employment of 6000 new personal care workers in 2021-22 and 7000 more in the following year, including an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personal care workers,” Minister Hunt said.
“They will ensure new and existing personal care workers have the skills and support required to provide quality aged care services to all seniors who need them.”
It will also improve links with the training and recruitment, helping the broader aged care sector, including residential care, boost its work pool.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Richard Colbeck, said expanding and improving the workforce was crucial for quality in home care.
“The Government is committed to ensuring older Australians can remain in their homes and in the communities they know and love, for as long as possible,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Making sure we have enough carers with the right skills to provide these services is vital as we expand the number of care packages and wipe out waiting lists.
“Our reforms will ensure all senior Australians can access the care they want and need, when they need it.”
The Home Care Workforce Support program will be provided through an open grant process, with one grant for each state and territory (NSW and ACT combined) and an additional two grants directed to regional and remote areas.
Applications are open now until Friday, 27 August 2021.
Recognising the importance partnerships and local solutions to address workforce needs, there are a range of eligible organisations who can apply for funding under this grant opportunity, including from the aged care, training and employment sectors.
Joint (consortia) applications are also welcome.
Grant recipients will use grant funding to support home care providers by:

• Screening candidates for suitability to promote training completion rates and job retention;
• Mentoring, support services and communities of practice to support workers who are new to the sector;
• Promoting and supporting work placements for people who are undertaking aged care training;
• Training existing staff so they can supervise students and new staff; and
• Helping providers attract and retain staff.

The size of each grant under the program will mirror the region’s demand for home care packages, with a loading to reflect increased costs in regional and remote communities.
The Home Care Workforce Support Program is part of the Morrison Government’s investment of $338.5 million over three years to grow, train and upskill the aged care workforce and drive improvements in the safety and quality of care.
The grants program will complement a range of activities by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment to encourage people to take up careers in the aged care sector, including residential and home care.
They include job fairs specific to the care sector, resources to help job seekers understand the sector and be more likely to get a job, and training for people who work with job seekers and employers.
Details of the grants program can be found on the Australian Government GrantConnect website.

To support those living in the areas most affected by the NSW lockdown, the $10.6 million funding will be used to establish pop up clinics in the following Primary Health Network (PHN) regions:

• Central Eastern Sydney (2)
• South Western Sydney (2)
• Western Sydney (2)
• Northern Sydney (1)
• Nepean Blue Mountains (1)
• Hunter New England Central Coast (1)
• South Eastern NSW (1)

The extension of the NSW lockdown and the rising number of COVID-19 cases across many areas of Greater Sydney is leading to a rise in demand for mental health support which is likely to persist for some months.
Now facing their sixth lockdown in response to COVID-19, Victorians continue to experience high levels of distress and mental ill health. Crisis lines and other support services continue to experience unprecedented levels of demand.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the current restrictions across New South Wales and continued lockdowns in Victoria are taking a toll on the mental health and wellbeing of Australians who have been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The current outbreak is putting incredible stress and mental health pressure on many Australians and there is increasing need for additional mental health services,” Minister Hunt said.
“The Head to Health centres in NSW will offer COVID-safe face-to-face, as well as video and phone supported mental health and assessment services, ensuring people in NSW can access the services on site or from their own homes if they’re unable to travel.”
“The Morrison Government has already provided a total of $46.9 million in mental health support specifically for Victorians since the pandemic began. This included $26.9 million to establish mental health clinics across Victoria. We are now providing a further $7.1 million to extend the operation of these clinics until 30 June 2022.”
As already occurred in Victoria, primary care settings in NSW will be identified to establish each clinic and will be enhanced with multidisciplinary mental health teams. Services will be available at these sites by the end of September 2021 and will remain in operation until 30 June 2022.
The Morrison Government has also provided funding, in partnership with the NSW Government, for the $17.35 million ‘Lockdown Lifeline’ package for NSW, which is assisting mental health services like Lifeline, Kids Helpline, headspace and the Butterfly Foundation to increase their support.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the Government is ensuring the mental health supports Australians need are there to get them through this crisis
“We know that extended lockdowns can have significant impacts on the mental health of Australians and our Government has worked quickly to ensure that additional support is available,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“The Victorian clinics continue to provide excellent support to Victorians in need of mental health. Since they were established, the clinics have received 11,000 phone calls to the central intake service from people seeking support and more than 5,000 were referred to a clinic.”
“The establishment of clinics in NSW will help keep people out of hospital emergency departments and will support GPs to provide treatment and care to those who are struggling during this extremely challenging time.
“Just as there are massive efforts underway to control the spread of the virus and keep people safe, we are working on all fronts to help people dealing with mental ill health.”
The 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 (www.headtohealth.gov.au).
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 said Team Australia had inspired the nation.
“On behalf of all Australians, I would like to congratulate our Olympians for their outstanding success and achievements,” Minister Colbeck said.
“You have allowed us to cheer from the sidelines and had us on the edge of our seats, uniting us as a nation at a time when we have never need it more.”
Australian athletes were responsible for an equal all-time gold medal haul of 17, with seven silver and 22 bronze.
Minister Colbeck said the Australian team provided plenty of highlights.
This included the astonishing performance of swimmer Emma McKeon whose seven medals in the pool – four gold and three bronze – equalled the most by any woman across all sports at any Olympics.
“It doesn’t happen without hard work, long hours training and sacrifice – but Emma’s Olympic feat is now etched in the pages of Australian sporting history,” Minister Colbeck said.
Other incredible Olympic stories included Jess Fox’s gold in the canoe slalom, Ariarne Titmus edging out Katie Ledecky in the 400 metre freestyle, Andrew Hoy becoming the country’s oldest medallist with silver and bronze in equestrian and 800m runner Peter Bol delivering a stirring performance on the track.
Keegan Palmer will also go down in history for winning the first men’s park skateboarding gold, while Cedric Dubler’s extraordinary act of sportsmanship in the men’s decathlon – running beside team mate Ash Moloney, urging him to a bronze medal – is one of the moments of the Games.
Then on the second-last day of the Games, an inspirational Patty Mills led the way with the Boomers to secure a bronze – the first Olympic medal in Australia’s men’s basketball history.
The team’s emotion in winning the medal for generations of Australian basketballers will forever be remembered.
“I pay tribute to all of our athletes and also recognise the enormous efforts of their coaches, support staff, family and friends who assisted them in getting to Tokyo,” Minister Colbeck said.
“To hear that the team spirit in the Olympic Village was perhaps the strongest ever, is a tribute to AOC Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman and all team officials, coaches and athletes – if only we could bottle that for future Games.
Minister Colbeck said that the Games went ahead under such difficult circumstances was also significant.
“We pay tribute to the people of Tokyo and Japan for keeping their commitment to the athletes of the world to host what has been without question one of the most extraordinary Games ever. Thank you, Tokyo and Japan.”
The lead up to the event was also marked by the successful Australian bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games. South East Queensland and Australia secured the global event after a joint campaign by federal, state and local governments. “There are now big things to come – preparations for the event will trigger considerable growth and investment,” Minister Colbeck said. “We will see Brisbane and Queensland deliver an Olympic and Paralympic Games which are affordable, beneficial and sustainable for Queensland and Australia.”
Minister Colbeck said the Morrison Government is maintaining record levels of investment in sport, including support for our high performance athletes and coaches as well as community sport.
“Since our election in 2013 our Government has provided more than $3.8 billion for sport and recreation activities,” he said.
“This financial year alone we will spend more than $500 million on sport and recreation and in the 2021-22 Budget we announced an additional $245.8 million for sport over and above our regular sports funding commitments.”
The funding includes an additional $136.3 million to support Australia’s high performance sport system and programs supporting our athletes to compete and succeed at major sporting events, including:

• An additional $50.6 million over two years (2022-23 and 23-24) for high performance grants to national sporting organisations;
• $82.2 million over three years for an extension of the Athlete Performance Pathways and Wellbeing programs to support the development and specialised wellbeing needs of athletes, and;
• $3.5 million for increased operational costs for the Australian Paralympic Team’s participation in the Tokyo Paralympic Games due to the impact of COVID-19.

In June 2020, the Government announced an additional investment of $50.6 million over two years as part of the 2020-21 Budget to support high performance programs, particularly for Tokyo athletes and those working toward the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Minister Colbeck said this funding also offered security for athletes vying to make their mark as far ahead as the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Providing opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest level is an integral part of our nation’s identity and invaluable in inspiring participation,” Minister Colbeck said.
“To all our Olympians, thank you for your hard work and the dedication of your coaches, families and friends in helping play a part in Australian sporting history.
“We now look forward to the Tokyo Paralympic Games which begin on 24 August. I know our Australian Paralympic team is well prepared and will continue to inspire Australians young and old.”

The latest National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) quarterly report shows the world first scheme is continuing to grow at a record rate.
Minister for the NDIS Minister Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said today’s report shows we have much to celebrate as a nation.
“It is an extraordinary achievement for the NDIS to now be supporting 466,000 Australians – with almost a quarter of a million people receiving support for the very first time,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Since becoming Minister for the NDIS, I have heard very clearly in my consultations with the disability sector and with colleagues that they want greater data to better understand the problems facing the Scheme and to be part of developing solutions.
“We can’t shy away from the Scheme’s challenges and the need to keep improving participant experience. Issues identified in this report include inconsistent access and planning decisions and inequalities in packages based on socio-economic status.
“In an insurance scheme, where you live or your socioeconomic circumstances should not matter.
“Another issue addressed in significant detail is the reporting of apparent systematic decreases in functional ability for participants.
“This important report contains the most detailed data on the NDIS publicly released on Scheme costs and assumptions.
“It shows that without mitigation, projected costs are higher than both the 2021 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2017 Productivity Commission projections.
“The average payment per participant has continued to increase at 11.8 per cent per annum in the three years to 30 June 2021.
“Total participant costs increased to $6.6 billion in the last quarter of 2020-21 – a 33 per cent increase in total participant costs from the same period last year.
“In July 2021, I publicly released the NDIA Board Annual Financial Sustainability Report Summary (AFSR). This provided significant detail on the pressures now facing the Scheme.
“Today’s report goes even further. It provides the AFSR projections from 2018 onwards across every measure – total participant numbers, total participant costs and average payments and actual and assumed rates of inflation, compared to actual and estimated Scheme costs. Never before have we had such a clear picture of the true state of play.
“A key outcome of the July Disability Minister’s Meeting was a collective agreement to better understand these challenges. I shared this report with Ministers on Friday in preparation for the next Disability Reform Ministers Meeting.
“As a Scheme of our Federation, Australian Governments have responsibility to make sure that the Scheme remains affordable over the long-term and continually improves participant experience and outcomes,” Minister Reynolds said.
Other key statistics from the quarter include:

• 35 per cent of participants who received plans were children aged 0-6 years.
• 33 per cent decrease in the number of people under the age of 65 entering residential aged care.
• 14 per cent increase in the number of young adults reporting that the NDIS has helped with their daily living activities.
• 12 per cent increase in the number of participants reporting that the NDIS has helped improve their health and wellbeing.

The report also shows that the NDIA continues to improve on its Participant Service Guarantee, with the latest report showing:

• 100 per cent of access decisions were made within 21 days in the June 2021 quarter.
• 91 per cent of first plans were approved within 90 days for participants aged 0-6.
• 94 per cent of internal reviews of a reviewable decisions were completed within 90 days.

Read the latest quarterly report here.

The Morrison Government is investing $98 million in a series of innovative new programs to prevent vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families falling through the cracks as part of the first Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the new Social Services programs would help address disproportionately high rates or family and domestic violence, and the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said the programs would embed cultural competency and trauma responsiveness by ensuring Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations play a central role in service provision.
Department of Social Services measures address the Closing the Gap Targets on out-of-home care (12) and family violence (13) and include:
Strengthening service models
$49 million will be provided over five years to support states and territories to review and redesign frontline service models including family violence, mental and physical health, substance abuse and disability. The purpose is to improve how practitioners work together to plan support for families at risk of interaction with child protection authorities and focus on early intervention.
Redesigned service models are anticipated to bring together a range of professionals such as social workers, mental health and medical professionals, drug and alcohol specialists, domestic violence support, legal services, financial counsellors, child protection workers, disability support providers, teachers and child-care providers and police to support families in an integrated way.
Outcomes and Evidence Fund
$38.6 million over three years will be provided to support proposals identified by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations that address targets 12 and 13. Through a co-design process with the Government, tangible service delivery and outcome targets will be agreed and payments made on the basis of demonstrated achievement against the targets.
Based on social impact investing funding models, the Fund will ensure accountability to the ultimate goal of changing the lives of the most vulnerable in our community in a real way. In order to achieve this and support a shift towards more outcomes focused funding, this investment includes resourcing for capacity building in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and expert support.
Improve and develop Cultural Competency
$7.7 million over three years to develop the cultural competency and trauma responsiveness of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous child and family sector workforce through Department of Social Services grant funding in prevention and early intervention services in the child and family support sector.
Assess barriers identified by ACCOs
$3.2 million over two years to assess the needs, and increase the involvement of, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in the child and family sector.
“The rates of family and domestic violence, and children in out of home care among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are absolutely heartbreaking,” Minister Ruston said.
“We must make sure we are prioritising investments so that we are all responding to the evidence and doing the things that will make the most difference.
“These new Social Services measures demonstrate our commitment to shared decision-making in the design, implementation and monitoring of policies and programs because we know when we walk side by side we can and will improve outcomes for all Indigenous Australians.”
Minister Wyatt said the Implementation Plan builds on this year’s Budget announcements and recognises that improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people could only be done by working together.
“For the first time, all governments and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector share responsibility for achieving outcomes, embedding priority reforms and reporting their progress,” Minister Wyatt said.
“Sharing accountability acknowledges that all parties have a role to play in improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
For more information read the Commonwealth Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.