Category: Australian News

The Australian Government is opening a new round to invest more than $23 million to support our nation’s peak health groups and advisory bodies.
These groups play a major role in improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians and as we continue navigating the COVID-19 environment, the advice of Australia’s peak health groups and advisory bodies remains critical.
Their impartial advice, expertise and experience means the Government can implement reforms that boost the health and wellbeing of all Australians now and into the future.
Since 2016, the Health Peak and Advisory Bodies program has contributed to building a better health care system for the nation.
This new grant opportunity supports a wide range of health organisations consult and share information with their members, the wider health sector, the community and the Government. It also helps them to provide sector knowledge, expertise and education and training to health practitioners, improving the quality of health services.
The Government will look favourably at health peak and advisory bodies that have a national presence, and nation-wide membership. In particular, we are looking for applications with demonstrated expertise, and who are able to contribute to the national health agenda and priorities set out in Australia’s National Preventive Health Strategy.
Applications opened on 27 April 2021, with funding available to eligible national peak bodies over three years from July 2022.
For more information on the grants and to apply, visit www.grants.gov.au

25 years today. Yet it still seems like only yesterday our hearts were shattered on that terrible Sunday.
28 April 1996. Port Arthur.
35 innocent people taken from us. 23 more wounded in that heinous and cowardly act.
To call to mind the names of those who died is heart-breaking.
Victims as young as 3 and as old as 72.
Among them “a lovely, devoted couple”.
“The happiest girls in the world”.
An “adored Nanna”.
A “humble man” who “simply wanted to serve.”
And a woman who “brought joy and warmth to all who knew her.”
Today we remember and send our love to all those who still bear the scars of that terrible day. The families and friends of those who died; the injured, the survivors, the first responders and all those who witnessed and were impacted by the unspeakable horror of that day.
We remember the incredible bravery and selflessness as well – the family members who sought to shield and protect others.
We pay tribute to the strength, resilience and courage of the local Tasmanian community and to all those who could never forget but still found a way to heal.
We look to the light that was found from the darkness of that day. Light like the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, which Walter Mikac named for his two daughters he lost that day, and which is dedicated to keeping children safe from violence and bullying.
We also give thanks for the courageous response to this terrible event by former Prime Minister John Howard and former Deputy Prime Minister, the late Tim Fischer, supported by then Leader of the Opposition Kim Beazley, who put in place some of the strongest gun laws in the world today, that have served to keep Australians safe.
May Walter, and all the families of the victims taken from us that day, be comforted and renewed on this day.

The Morrison Government has agreed a number of new measures to protect Australians from the increased risk of the COVID-19 outbreak in India, while also providing significant new support to assist the Indian Government in their humanitarian response.
We recognise the challenging COVID-19 crisis that India is currently battling and we stand ready to provide more support to our friends in India and Indian Australians during this difficult time.
On advice from the Chief Medical Officer, India has been determined to be a high-risk country for the purposes of travel arrangements.
Australia will implement a temporary pause on direct passenger flights between India and Australia for two weeks, with consideration of further flights to be made by 15 May 2021.
Passengers on all future flights will be required to have both a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result and a negative Rapid Antigen test result prior to taking off.
Once flights restart, the Government will prioritise the return of vulnerable Australians. Already almost 20,000 registered Australians have returned from India since the pandemic began.
Restrictions have been placed on outbound travel exemptions to high-risk countries to strictly essential travel only (national interest, medical exemption and COVID-19 purposes).
For indirect flights through Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), the Government is aware that flights to and from these transit points and India have been paused by respective governments.
As a close friend and comprehensive strategic partner, Australia stands with India as it battles a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Following consultation with the Indian Government, Australia will provide emergency medical supplies.
The initial package of support includes rapid deployment of 500 non-invasive ventilators, with capacity to deploy up to a total of 3,000 ventilators.
Our Government is also supplying a significant package of personal protective equipment (PPE), including one million surgical masks, 500,000 P2/N95 masks, 100,000 surgical gowns, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields.
The Government has agreed to commence procurement of 100 oxygen concentrators, along with tanks and consumables.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will manage the movement of PPE and equipment over the next week.
Our Government is standing with Australians in India and we recognise the difficulties they face. The Hardship Program and Consular Support continues to be available to Australians in India.
The current restrictions will be under regular review, as we look to find a solution for those seeking to return to Australia.

Over the last 12 months, Telehealth services have been life changing for many in need of support, which is why as part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Australian Government is investing more than $114 million to extend Telehealth until the end of the year.
Telehealth items were rapidly implemented in March 2020 to ensure our primary care sector could continue to function and that Australians could continue to access important health services.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said Telehealth has played an important role in supporting Australians through the pandemic.
“The extension will ensure that Australians can continue to see their GP, renew scripts and seek mental health support from the safety of their own home. This allows vulnerable Australians to feel protected and supported during these unprecedented times,” Minister Hunt said.
“It is critical that Australians continue to look after their health and stay engaged with your primary care providers.”
From 13 March 2020 to 21 April 2021, over 56 million COVID-19 MBS telehealth services have been delivered to 13.6 million patients, with $2.9 billion in Medicare benefits paid. More than 83,540 providers have used telehealth services.
The extension of Telehealth includes services for general practitioners, medical practitioners, specialists, consultant physicians, nurse practitioners, participating midwives, allied health providers and dental practitioners.
The Government continues to work with peak bodies to co-design permanent post pandemic Telehealth as part of broader primary care reforms to modernise Medicare and provide flexibility of access to primary and allied healthcare services.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said reports that the Coalition government is considering a boost to childcare funding are welcome, but early learning must be made universal and free.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Any funding boost for early learning is welcome. But let’s be real: the most sensible and equitable move would be to make childcare universal and free.

Anzac Day is a significant day for all Australians and a time to remember and reflect.
The last year has been a challenging one for our nation, and particularly for our defence personnel and veterans.
The release of the Brereton report, the announcement of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and uncertainty about whether the Government would listen to widespread calls for a Royal Commission into veteran suicide have made for a difficult time for current and former service personnel.
This is why it is important this Anzac Day to show our respect for all those who serve, but particularly the current generation of men and women who keep us safe in an increasingly challenging world.
As well as remembering Australians who have served and died in recent conflicts and operations like Iraq and Afghanistan, we recognise those personnel who have been supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Last year, we found new and innovative ways to mark Anzac Day through private commemorations at home, writing letters to veterans, and conducting welfare checks on current and former defence personnel in our communities.
As we emerge from the health emergency, it is good to see Anzac Day returning to some normality and we encourage Australians to attend a local ceremony wherever they can, subject to local health advice.
This year again, there will be a range of ways people can commemorate the day in a COVID-Safe way, including attending local ceremonies, holding driveway dawn services, and watching broadcasts and livestreams of major services.
Anzac Day is a time to reflect upon the Anzac values of mateship, courage, initiative, resilience and sacrifice, and how these values are upheld by Australia’s servicemen and women today.
We are also reminded of the impacts of conflict on our returned service men and women, and why as a nation we have solemn duty to look after them and their families.
However Australians choose to commemorate the day, it’s important that we all show support for our veterans, current Australian Defence Force members and their families, and recognise their outstanding contribution to our nation.
We remember them and their loved ones this Anzac Day.
Lest We Forget.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has described Prime Minister Scott Morrison as an utter embarrassment and a threat to Australia’s safety after Australia’s weak climate action stood in contrast to a host of nations, including our biggest trading partners, lifting their 2030 targets at President Biden’s Climate Summit.
“We are heading towards a climate cliff and as Joe Biden desperately tries to stop us going over the edge, Scott Morrison refuses to lift 2030 targets and Labor backs him in,” said Mr Bandt.
“The rest of the world is acting because we are in a climate emergency and facing societal collapse, but instead of protecting Australia, Scott Morrison and Labor want to burn more coal and gas and refuse to lift our 2030 target.
“With the US and UN demanding an urgent phase out of coal, Scott Morrison spruiks fossil fuels and Labor says we should burn coal past 2050.
“Australia is being led by a cabal of climate criminals, aided and abetted by a coal-fuelled Labor.
“2030 is the new 2050, as France’s President Emannuel Macron said. We can’t leave  action until 2050, because what we do in this decade will determine the kind of planet that today’s primary school kids live in.
“If we don’t act in the next decade, global warming likely becomes an unstoppable chain reaction. Right when we need maximum pressure on the government, Labor has no 2030 targets and is letting Scott Morrison off the hook.
“I am calling on Anthony Albanese and Labor to join the Greens and all Australians in pressuring Scott Morrison for stronger 2030 targets and the phase out of coal and gas.
“The science is clear. Australia needs to be at least tripling our 2030 targets to 75%.
“Scott Morrison will have nowhere to hide in June when he attends the G7 meeting in the UK. All G7 countries have now committed to increased 2030 targets and Australia is isolated.”
New targets announced, include:

• The United States has set a new emissions target of 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030
• Japan upgraded it’s 2030 target to 46% below 2013 levels (was previously 26% below 2013 levels) – Japan is Australia’s largest customer for thermal coal and LNG exports
• Canada upgraded it’s 2030 target to 40-45% below 2005 levels (was previously 30% below 2005 levels)
• China committed to peak coal use by 2025, which builds on a commitment they made last year to peak emissions before 2030 and reach net-zero before 2060.
• South Korea committed to introduce a more ambitious 2030 target prior to Glasgow and will end the international financing of coal
• The United Kingdom announced a new 2035 emissions target of 78% below 1990 levels, building on their announcement last year of an upgraded 2030 target of 68% below 1990 levels (was previously 53% below 1990 levels)
• European Union member countries have agreed to legislate their upgraded 2030 target of 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 (was previously 40% below 1990 levels)
• New Zealand reconfirmed their intent to increase their 2030 targets prior to Glasgow, and called on all countries to price carbon and end fossil fuel subsidies

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
There have been 29,602 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 910 people have died. More than 16.4 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
Globally, there have been over 143 million cases and sadly over 3 million deaths, with around 1.2 million new cases and more than 16,000 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, 1,785,698 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia. The number of administration sites has expanded, with 4,500 general practices as well as general practice respiratory centres and Aboriginal health services now administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Today, National Cabinet received a briefing from Professor Brendan Murphy, Chair of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group, the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, Ms Caroline Edwards, Associate Secretary, Department of Health and Commodore Eric Young, CSC, RAN, Operations Coordinator, Department of Health Vaccine Operations Centre on the Vaccine Rollout Phases Implementation.
Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategy
National Cabinet agreed the imperative to work together to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Australians as quickly as possible.
National Cabinet agreed to recalibrate the delivery model for the COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout Strategy, taking into account the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) medical advice on the use of AstraZeneca vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccine supply arrangements, by:
Limiting access to the Pfizer vaccine to:

• People aged under 50 years eligible in phases 1a and 1b (pending commencement of subsequent phases);
• Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) residents (through completion of the Commonwealth’s existing in-reach program):
• Disability care residents with complex needs who require in-reach vaccination services;
• People in remote and very remote communities where it makes sense to use a single vaccine for all or most of the community; and
• In very limited circumstances, quarantine, border and frontline health care workers who are 50 years of age or over and not already vaccinated, where the relevant state or territory determines the worker should be fully vaccinated and protected as soon as possible.

Better utilising the available stock of AstraZeneca doses: by bringing forward access to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for phase 2a eligible people aged 50-69 years commencing with General Practice Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs) and state and territory COVID-19 vaccination sites from 3 May 2021 and General Practice (GP) clinics from 17 May 2021. Individual GP clinics who have the capacity to and wish to commence earlier than 17 May can apply to the Department of Health for access to this cohort earlier.
Increasing access to the Pfizer vaccine: by immediately opening state and territory-operated sites to eligible people, including under 50 year old aged care and disability care workers; and establishing a Pfizer mass vaccination plan, which includes state and territory mass vaccination sites and large GP and GPRC sites, to establish readiness for operations where demand exists and supply is available.
Maintaining the lead role for GPs in administering the AstraZeneca vaccine: as demand exists and supply permits, allocating more doses to GPs (including by re-allocating or re-directing doses allocated to states and territories, where it makes sense to do so).
Supplementing the role of GPs: with states and territories continuing to operate AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination sites and services where required to supplement the primary care network and immediately opening these sites to people aged 50 years and over and eligible in phases 1a and 1b.
Making better use of some vaccination sites: by permitting state and territory-operated vaccination sites (and other sites if clinically safe) to operate Pfizer and AstraZeneca services from one site, provided the site is large enough to allow for complete clinical separation of the two services.
States and territories can choose to incorporate community pharmacies (which were originally due to commence from Phase 2a) into their roll-out plans in rural and remote areas where there are no or limited other points of presence. National Cabinet agreed that the broader role of community pharmacies in the national rollout is deferred.
Revised COVID-19 Vaccine National Rollout Strategy
National Cabinet agreed the revised COVID-19 vaccine national roll-out strategy which, in light of the age-based preferential Pfizer vaccine recommendation, adjusts the age cut-off for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people eligible in phase 1b to ’50 years and over’ (down from 55 years and over) and expands eligibility in phase 2b to 16 and 17 years olds (now that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for this age group and is approved for use in 16 and 17 year olds).
National Cabinet agreed to the implementation of the recalibrated delivery model through addendums to the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Implementation Plans, with Health Ministers to finalise and sign the addendums for noting by National Cabinet at a future meeting.
The Commonwealth will further contribute 50 per cent of the genuine net additional costs incurred by states and territories to set up additional COVID-19 clinics after 21 April 2020, where necessary to support the recalibrated delivery model. Funding arrangements will be finalised through the Council on Federal Financial Arrangements.
High risk countries
National Cabinet noted that there has been a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in many countries that are experiencing third and fourth waves.
National Cabinet agreed to place additional restrictions on Australian citizens and permanent residents seeking to enter Australia from high risk countries which are experiencing rapidly increasing COVID-19 outbreaks. The Commonwealth will work to establish a list of high risk countries. Going forward:

• Anyone entering Australia who has been in a high risk country in the last 14 days before entering Australia and is transiting through a third country will need to return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to entering Australia from the final point of embarkation.
• The Commonwealth will further restrict outbound travel exemptions to high risk countries to strictly essential travel only.

To address the significant increase in COVID-19 positive case numbers in returned travellers from India, National Cabinet agreed to:

• Reducing the number of passengers on Government facilitated flights into the Centre of National Resilience at Howard Springs for all flights departing India, until the rate of positive cases has decreased to acceptable levels.
• An approximate 30 per cent reduction in passenger numbers for Australians returning from India on Government-facilitated flights during May 2021. In addition, four of the scheduled facilitated flights will be rescheduled from May to June 2021.
• A 30 per cent reduction on commercial flights direct from India to Australia, as soon as it is practical.

In addition:

• National Cabinet will seek advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) regarding the benefits of having aircrew vaccinated as a priority cohort.
• The Commonwealth will seek Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) for Australians returning on direct flights from high risk countries.

National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 30 April 2021.

The Morrison Government will make an additional $100 million investment to continue leading the world and our region in how we manage our ocean habitats and coastal environments and contribute to the global task of reducing emissions.
As the world’s only island continent, Australia has always understood that how we manage our oceans and coastal environments will determine the success or failure of our world’s efforts to address climate change. That is why we have been leading the world in taking action in this important area.
The investment package will target ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems that involve seagrass and mangroves playing a key role in drawing carbon out of the atmosphere. The package will also support Australian Marine Parks, expand the Indigenous Protected Areas into Sea Country and protect marine life.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s oceans economy not only supported 400,000 jobs and was projected to contribute $100 billion each year, but would also be key to Australia’s role in driving down emissions.
“Our oceans are part of the lifeblood of our economy and this investment will secure those jobs and the important role our oceans can play in our efforts to cut emissions,” the Prime Minister said.
“The climate and the planet’s oceans are inextricably linked. This investment is a major contribution to domestic and international efforts to build healthier oceans and combat climate change.
“Our oceans are part of our national identity and critical to the daily lives of millions of Australians. Around 85 per cent of our population lives within 50 kilometres of the coast so every Australian understands the vital role our oceans play.
“This investment will boost the seagrass and mangroves that will help cut emissions and it’ll mean cleaner beaches, lower fisheries bycatch, more fish stocks, better protection for turtles and seabirds, and help for coastal and Indigenous communities reliant on the ocean for their livelihoods.”
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said, “The investment will see effective action that provides direct benefits to Australians through growth in the tourism, research and fisheries sectors, as well as deliver significant environmental outcomes.
“I am so proud to see Australia continue its leadership in oceans. This announcement keeps Australia at the forefront of global leadership in oceans and marine protection.
“The package will be delivered across four key areas of Australia’s oceans management, implementing on ground actions to support Australian Marine Parks, expand the Indigenous Protected Areas into Sea Country, restore blue carbon ecosystems and protect iconic marine species.”
$39.9 million will go towards reinforcing Australia’s position as a world leader in marine park management which includes:

• $19.4 million to be delivered through two additional rounds of the successful Our Marine Parks Grants program which will create opportunities for industry, community organisations and Indigenous communities to further engage and connect with the management of Australian Marine Parks.
• $15 million towards ocean discovery and restoration projects to help us understand more about our marine parks.
• $5.4 million for steps to support the health and sustainability of the pristine waters around Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories.

$11.6 million will be delivered over two years to incorporate Sea Country in Indigenous Protected Areas in nine locations, to provide Indigenous communities with economic and employment opportunities.
$30.6 million will be invested in practical action to restore and account for blue carbon ecosystems. This will improve the health of coastal environments in Australia and around the region and export Australia’s internationally recognized expertise in ocean accounting, while boosting regional employment and enabling us to account for the value of these habitats as blue carbon repositories

• Almost $19 million will go to four major on-ground projects restoring coastal ecosystems across the country, including tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses
• $10 million will provide three major on-ground projects to assist developing countries in the region restore and protect their blue carbon ecosystems
• Over $1 million will help to solidify Australia as a leader in ocean and natural capital accounting assistance – this enables us to understand and account for the environmental and economic benefits of protecting these critical ecosystems.

$18 million will target practical actions to protect iconic marine species, improve the sustainability of our fisheries through reducing bycatch and stimulate investment in our oceans

• $10 million will deliver ocean health through at least 25 targeted projects to restore and protect threatened marine species, eradicate invasive species from our islands and restore coastal habitats.
• $5 million will fund new and innovative measures to support the marine environment and sustainable fisheries through practical measures to avoid bycatch of threatened species
• $3 million will support the roll-out of ocean accounting at a national scale

The package will create regional jobs, engage coastal and Indigenous communities and the private sector, deliver actions to improve environmental outcomes for species and ecosystems, and provide a clear pathway for working with all sectors to realise Australia’s ocean potential.
The Government has also committed a new $59.9 million to develop a high-integrity carbon offset scheme in our Indo-Pacific region.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the scheme would be modelled on the Government’s successful Emissions Reduction Fund to stimulate investment in high-quality projects that deliver offsets that meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement.
“The Emissions Reduction Fund is one of the largest and most robust offset schemes in the world. We see an opportunity to work with our Indo-Pacific partners, and pass on the know-how and success of that program to reduce emissions and create jobs,” Angus Taylor said.
The investments are in addition to more than $1.1 billion the Morrison Government has this week announced it will invest in low emissions energy technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, and is in addition to the $18 billion of investment the Government is making alongside the Technology Investment Roadmap over the next 10 years to drive at least $70 billion of total new investment in low emissions technologies in Australia by 2030.