Category: Australian News

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is ‘Always Was. Always Will Be.’
This week, we acknowledge and celebrate the breadth and depth of First People’s knowledge, achievements, experiences and stories, and connection to country.
Australia is home to the oldest living civilisation on Earth – made up of hundreds of nations and cultures that spanned this continent.
This is rightfully a source of pride for all Australians – First Nations and non-Indigenous alike.
For tens of thousands of years, First Australians practised and accrued knowledge in a range of fields: from exploration and navigation; to farming and botany; science, engineering and astronomy; trade and diplomacy; to art and story-telling.
As the world contemplates the challenges of climate change – from severe bushfires; to catastrophic droughts; and rising sea levels – there is much to learn from First Australians, particularly in relation to land care and sustainability.
NAIDOC is about opening our minds, and to listen and learn.
We may not be celebrating NAIDOC Week the same way we usually do, but all of us can still get involved.
There are various ways we can all safely participate in activities in our local community.
For more information and to find out more about NAIDOC events happening near you, visit www.naidoc.org.au.

Renowned physicist Dr Cathy Foley AO has been appointed Australia’s next Chief Scientist.
Dr Foley, who has spent the last two years as the CSIRO’s Chief Scientist, will take over from Dr Alan Finkel AO whose tenure comes to an end in December 2020.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Dr Foley had the background needed to deliver during such a pivotal time in history.
“As we recover from COVID-19 and look to rebuild a brighter future, the role of the Chief Scientist has never been more important,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“Dr Foley has a big task ahead to drive collaboration between industry and the science and research community, as we look to create jobs for the COVID-19 recovery and for the future.
“I would like to thank Dr Alan Finkel AO for his outstanding contribution as Chief Scientist over the past five years. He has been a valued and respected voice to Government, and I know he will continue to make a significant contribution to the Australian and international science communities.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews also thanked Dr Finkel for his service and said Dr Foley would bring a unique mix of experience to the role.
“Dr Foley is highly regarded in the scientific community, has extensive experience working with government, but most importantly understands how to drive collaboration between industry and researchers,” Minister Andrews said.
“We know science will play a crucial role in helping to create jobs at this critical time, and Dr Foley’s skills as a talented science communicator will help sell that important message.
“Like me, Dr Foley is also a strong advocate for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and her lived experience will make her an important role model for aspiring young scientists.”
Dr Foley is the second woman to be named Australia’s Chief Scientist, after Professor Penny Sackett, who held the role from 2008-2011.
Dr Foley is a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Science, and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. She is an accomplished scientist who has made significant contributions in the area of physics relating to superconductors.
Her appointment as Australia’s Chief Scientist is for three years, starting in January 2021.

For the first time in its history, Australia’s National Incident Centre (NIC) has been activated continuously for more than one year, working across Government to respond to unprecedented health emergencies faced by Australia and the world.
The NIC was activated in November 2019 in response to a measles outbreak in Samoa, and continued to act during the 2019–20 bushfires, the Whakaari Island volcano eruption and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
From December 2019 and into January 2020, the NIC was concurrently managing three different situations, also for the first time ever.
I want to thank all of the extraordinarily talented, dedicated and hardworking staff of the National Incident Centre over the past year. Led by the Department of Health, the staff have been drawn from across Government, including the ADF.
Their work around the clock allowed Australia to maintain an air bridge for critical and scarce global supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and test kits at a time of international shortage. The NIC has literally been the Operations Headquarters for Australia’s national response to the pandemic.
Never has the National Incident Centre been more important, and its worth is shown in the Medical Journal of Australia’s paper, which attributes the saving of 16,000 lives to the comprehensive and early nature of Australia’s response.
The staff of the NIC have embodied the concept of real and profound public service. We are fortunate to have had such a well-prepared and well-drilled centre as the NIC in place before the pandemic. We are even more fortunate to have such an extraordinarily capable and dedicated team to help save lives and protect lives across Australia.
As the Department of Health’s emergency operations centre, the NIC coordinates Australia’s health emergency response to national and international incidents. It is also the primary means of communication between the World Health Organization and Australia for public health events, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
A significant accomplishment was distributing millions of masks and other PPE from the National Medical Stockpile in response to the bushfires and COVID-19 to states and territories, aged care facilities, disability service providers and Primary Health Networks.
As part of the COVID-19 response, key staff from a range of agencies across the APS were seconded to help operate the NIC. At its peak, the NIC engaged more than 200 employees, including liaison officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Border Force and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Surge staff have included epidemiologists and analysts from the Department of Defence, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The NIC has also engaged in public information, community awareness and communications. The Australian Government has the strongest commitment to informing the community about the latest health advice and developments. This includes a national campaign, website, fact sheets, media liaison and social media.
The NIC was first formally activated for the SARS outbreak of 2003. It has since been activated for a range of emergencies including the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the Bali bombings of 2005, the H1N1 Pandemic in 2009, the Victorian bushfires of 2009, and the Christchurch earthquake of 2011.
I thank the hardworking public servants in the NIC, which will remain activated for as long as this national health emergency demands.

We manage Linux and Windows Servers of all variants from installation commissioning to fault detection and correction.
Our Australian IT staff (based in Australia) have over 35 years experience in all aspects of computing and server maintenance.
We can manage servers for you remotely applying all updates and patches regularly. We can also commission new services for you such as mail servers. We tackle faults and solve complex problems. We offer a 24 hr email and telephone call back support service to maintenance plan clients.
We can commission reasonably priced virtual servers in almost every corner of the world. We source you the best deals on features and bandwidth.
http://Www.abmservermanagement.com.au

The Greens have backed calls from animal welfare groups and an equine veterinarian for an independent investigation and necropsy report into the death of the racehorse Anthony Van Dyck following Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup race.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens spokesperson for Animal Welfare, said:
“Tuesday’s race was horrific. There are serious questions to answer about this racehorse death. There must be no industry cover-up.
“Horse racing kills. No horse is safe at the Melbourne Cup.
“Every year, more and more people are saying ‘nup’ to the Cup and rejecting this carnival of cruelty.
“Ultimately we need to see an end to the Melbourne Cup and the brutality of commercial horse racing,” she said.
Ellen Sandell MP, Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, said:
“Every year the Greens call on the state government to end animal cruelty at the hands of our racing industry – and every year the government tries to pretend they have no power to stop it.
“The reality is that our government’s cosy relationship with the racing industry has prevented them from putting an end to cruelty against horses. Even a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic wasn’t enough to warrant them closing the gates this year.
“We need an independent investigation into Anthony Van Dyck’s death so that our government can wake up to the unnecessary pain and cruelty the Melbourne Cup inflicts on horses.”

Two more COVID-19 vaccines have been secured for the Australian population under new agreements, bringing the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine investment to more than $3.2 billion.
Under the agreements, Novavax will supply 40 million vaccine doses and Pfizer/BioNTech will provide 10 million vaccine doses, should the vaccines be proven safe and effective.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy had now secured access to four COVID-19 vaccines and over 134 million doses.
“By securing multiple COVID-19 vaccines we are giving Australians the best shot at early access to a vaccine, should trials prove successful,” the Prime Minister said.
“We aren’t putting all our eggs in one basket and we will continue to pursue further vaccines should our medical experts recommend them.
“There are no guarantees that these vaccines will prove successful, however our Strategy puts Australia at the front of the queue, if our medical experts give the vaccines the green light.”
The Novavax and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines are expected to be available in Australia from early to mid 2021 – subject to approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia.
The Pfizer/BioNTech is a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) type vaccine and the Novavax vaccine is a protein vaccine containing an adjuvant (Matrix-M) which enhances the immune response.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine portfolio now had two protein vaccines and one mRNA and one viral vector type vaccine, strengthening Australia’s position to access safe and effective vaccines as soon as available.
“The goal and the expectation is that Australians who sought vaccination will be vaccinated within 2021,” Minister Hunt said.
“There are no surprises, health and aged care workers and the elderly and vulnerable will be the first to gain access to a vaccine that’s deemed safe and effective.”
These new agreements build on the Australian Government’s existing commitments to purchase the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and a local candidate from the University of Queensland together with Australian manufacturer CSL Limited (Seqirus).
Subject to the vaccine being registered by the TGA as safe and effective, preliminary advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is that the priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccine are those people who are at increased risk of exposure, such as health and aged care workers, the elderly and those working in services critical to societal functioning.
The Australian Government is currently consulting with the states and territories, key medical experts and industry peak bodies on the framework for the initial roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination program in early 2021.
Key vaccination sites will initially include GPs, GP respiratory clinics, state and territory vaccination sites and workplaces such as aged care facilities.
Australia has a world class vaccination program with world leading vaccination rates. The COVID-19 vaccine will not be mandatory and individuals will maintain the option to choose not to vaccinate. The vaccine will be available for free to those who choose to be vaccinated.
This commitment forms a crucial part of the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 and the strategy to protect the health and wellbeing of Australians and the national economy.
Internationally, Australia has also joined the COVAX facility, which will provide access to a large portfolio of COVID-19 candidates and manufactures around the world for up to 50 per cent of the Australian population.
The Australian Government has also committed to support access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, as part of a shared recovery for our region from the pandemic, as well as $80 million to the international COVAX Facility for the benefit of high-risk populations in developing countries.
Our agreements allow Australia to donate to partners in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, should these vaccines prove safe and effective, and units are available above domestic needs.
The Government is contributing significantly to vaccine research and development both in Australia and around the world, investing $363 million in vaccines, therapeutics and COVID medicines – including $257 million in vaccines.
The roll-out of a potential COVID-19 vaccine is a significant logistical challenge, suppliers that have a proven track record in vaccine logistics and distribution or booking systems, tracking and reporting of vaccines are being invited to participate in a limited tender process.
As part of our COVID-19 vaccines strategy and broader vaccines strategy, the Australian Government is considering an amendment to the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 to mandate reporting of all vaccinations to the Register.
For the latest COVID-19 vaccine information visit: health.gov.au

Patients in the Dubbo region will have access to a 24-hour telestroke service, as part of a $21.7 million groundbreaking program being rolled out across NSW.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Federal Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton were joined by NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women, Bronnie Taylor, and Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, to make the announcement at Dubbo Base Hospital ahead of today’s joint Federal-State Bilateral Regional Health Forum.
Mr Hazzard said the jointly funded, lifesaving telestroke service exemplifies how the State and Federal Government can work together to bring world-class health care to people in regional and rural areas.
“This statewide telestroke service effectively breaks down geographical barriers, immediately linking local doctors with specialists, so patients can be diagnosed and treated as fast as possible,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Today, with key State and Federal health experts and consumers, we are all focused on how we can create a sustainable health service for rural and regional communities.”
Mr Coulton said expanding telehealth services, such as this, in the regions meant local doctors in Dubbo would be supported by first-class specialists to deliver enhanced stroke care and treatment for local patients.
“Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and is a leading cause of disability – which is why rapid access to specialists is so important in reducing the impact of stroke,” Mr Coulton said.
“In the unfortunate event of a stroke, this service will ensure that people in the Dubbo region have access to specialist stroke consultants, which will be a huge benefit to patients and their families.”
Mr Coulton said today’s Bilateral Regional Health Forum will continue to look at innovative ways in which the NSW Government can partner with the Federal Government to deliver better access and health outcomes for rural residents.
“This year’s Federal Budget has again demonstrated the Liberal and Nationals Government’s strong commitment to rural health with a $1.2 billion injection to improve healthcare in the bush,” Mr Coulton said.
“That package includes funding to implement locally-led primary care models in southern and western NSW – including the four Ts model for the Dubbo region – to help address workforce challenges and improve health service delivery.”
Mrs Taylor said telehealth for mental health consultations had been a lifesaver for people in regional and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year’s Forum will also focus on supporting resilience in regional communities. The community spirit of people in regional communities is well known, but multiple crises in the past year – drought, bushfires and now the pandemic – and causing significant distress for many people, placing their mental health at risk,” Mrs Taylor said.
The NSW Government committed $14.6 million over 2018-19 and 2019-20 for the Emergency Drought Mental Health Package to improve access to and delivery of mental health services to rural and remote NSW.
The Forum will discuss the impact of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 on the mental health of patients, clinicians and residents in the regions; as well as the use of telehealth for sustainable models of healthcare, including allied health and smaller rural hospitals.
Mr Saunders said he was pleased the Forum, established last year, was being held in Dubbo and welcomed the telestroke service announcement.
“This collaboration between the bush and the city and State and Federal governments has the potential to change lives in our community for the better, forever,” Mr Saunders said.
In June, the NSW Government announced the service, which has already helped 200 patients. Telestroke will be rolled out to up to 23 sites over three years and follows a successful pilot between Hunter New England, Central Coast and Mid North Coast local health districts. Telestroke is now available at Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Orange with Dubbo due to come on line later this month.
The funding to deliver Telestroke comprises $12.3 million from the NSW Government and $9.4 million from the Commonwealth Government.
In 2018-19, 13,651 people were hospitalised for a stroke in NSW. Of those, 32 per cent were from regional, rural or remote areas.
The NSW Government has committed $10.1 billion in health infrastructure investment across the state in this term of government.
Since 2011, the NSW Government has built or upgraded more than 130 hospitals and health facilities, with over 80 projects currently underway – more than two-thirds of those have been in regional and rural areas.

The RBA’s decision to cut interest rates to new historic lows and start a new round of quantitative easing is a vote of no confidence in the Government’s recovery plans, Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Nick McKim says.
“This decision shows the RBA has no faith in the Liberals’ agenda of tax cuts for the super wealthy and more handouts for the big corporate polluters,” Senator McKim said.
“Cutting rates to 0.1 per cent and $100 billion of quantitative easing is a sign that the RBA knows that things will continue to worsen for the economy because of deliberate decisions taken by Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg.”
“It suggests that the RBA expects tax cuts will be saved rather than spent, as they were last year before COVID hit.”
“The RBA wouldn’t need to be going to such extremes if the Government was actually trying to fix the economy by investing serious money in green infrastructure and setting income support above the poverty line.”
“Australians face more difficult times ahead unless the Liberals dramatically change course and start investing for the future, and ensuring a decent quality of life for all.”
“Under this government, printed money that should pump prime the economy is instead likely to inflate the housing market.”
“This will be doubly so if responsible lending laws are overturned.”
“The double-whammy of cheap money and looser lending standards is a recipe for an even bigger housing bubble.”