Category: Australian News

The decision by the big four banks to do nothing for homeowners risks putting families out on the streets, Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, and Housing spokesperson, Mehreen Faruqi, said today, calling for the government to get big banks to give vulnerable homeowners a residential ‘mortgage holiday’ to make sure families don’t lose their homes.
At a time of unprecedented financial stress and rapidly rising unemployment, the decision by the big four banks to limit their deferred loan repayments to small business customers is insufficient and risks furthering workers’ budgeting woes.
The Greens today called for the national cabinet to impose a ban on mortgage foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a freezing of homeowners’ credit ratings. The Greens also called on the government to get the big 4 banks – who have just been the beneficiaries of significant support from the Reserve Bank – to give vulnerable homeowners a mortgage holiday, just as they have with business.
Adam Bandt, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“Thanks to COVID-19, millions of workers are wondering if they’ll have a job tomorrow, and this cowardly inaction from the big banks will now have them wondering if they’ll be able to pay their mortgage too.
“People expect the banks not to be bastards through this crisis, but they’re leaving homeowners out in the cold.
“By deferring payments for small business, banks have shown they recognise the scale of the financial crisis ahead of us. Deciding to leave homeowners out in the cold is either greed or laziness.
“No one should be forced out onto the streets during a global pandemic.
“The national cabinet must look at making the big banks give vulnerable homeowners a mortgage holiday. If banks won’t show compassion, the government must step in.”
Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Housing Spokesperson said:
“Banks have reaped huge profits for years. If they want to keep what little is left of their social license after the Royal Commission they have to do the right thing by families at risk during this crisis.
“Housing is a human right, no matter the circumstances. Not one person should be made homeless during this crisis, and the banks have a big role to play in that.
“This crisis highlights how messed up housing in Australia is. Urgent action now needs to be followed by massive investment in rebuilding social housing, an expansion of crisis housing and reforming the tax loopholes that advantage wealthy investors over the community.”

The Greens are warning water ministers not to put up the white flag on saving the Murray-Darling Basin and the environmental flows needed to secure its future at tomorrow’s Ministerial Council meeting.
Australian Greens Spokesperson for Environment and Water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Water Ministers must not go to tomorrow’s meeting waving a white flag on saving the Murray-Darling Basin and the environmental flows needed to secure its future.
“Last year’s meeting of water ministers was a dramatic farce and a communique couldn’t even be agreed upon at the time and was later released by the MDBA who should be independent of this process.
“This bad behaviour when it comes to the management of our biggest river system cannot continue.
“The Murray Darling Basin Plan is due to recover a total of 2,075 GL/year of water plus 450 GL/year of efficiency measures by 2024. If the MDB is going to survive then the Plan must be delivered in full and on time.
“For seven years, the Liberal-National Government has let corporate irrigators run amok with water at the expense of from river communities, small family farms and the environment. It’s time to rein them in, for everyone’s sake.
“The Greens will keep pushing for a Royal Commission in the MDB to get to the bottom of the trillions of litres of missing water, theft, corruption, greed and lack of action on climate change that is plaguing the river. We also back a High Court challenge to fight for South Australia’s water and the Murray-Darling Basin if the Federal Government won’t deliver it on time.”

Greens Media and Communications Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“We have seen two positive steps forward on media reform from the Government today; the announcement that there will be further investment in public interest journalism through the establishment of the PING Trust and
the announcement that the Government is intending to introduce Australian content obligations for online video streaming services.
“While these are positive steps forward, we will consult with stakeholders and the community and consider the details of the proposals before coming to a final position on the reforms.”
PING Trust
“The PING Fund has played an important role in supporting public interest journalism and rural and regional news. I’m delighted to see that the Government is proposing an extension of this fund that will be able to support the future of public interest journalism in Australia.
“Funding through the original PING Fund was used to save the AAP from closure earlier this year after the Greens made the protection of AAP a key priority before opening any negotiations with the Government on the News Media Code.
“AAP plays an essential role in the Australian media landscape and I hope to see the long term future of AAP secured through this trust.
Local content obligations for online video streaming services
“There is good news for the Australian screen industry at the end of an extremely tough year. We welcome the introduction of local content quotas for online video streaming services. Not only is the telling of Australian stories on our screens essential in shaping our national identity and reflecting the diversity of our community but local productions create Australian jobs.
“Reform to regulate online streaming services in Australia is well overdue. The Greens have long been calling for the Government to regulate streaming giants like Netflix that are making billions of dollars from Australian subscribers without any obligation to host any Australian content on their screens.
“The Greens already have a motion before the Senate next week calling on the Government to take action and regulate online video streaming services. I call on other Senators to show their support for the Australian screen industry and support this motion.
“The question of the rate of investment obligation on streaming services will be crucial to the success of this policy reform and I urge the Government to look around the world for effective examples to follow. France has recently brought in a quota for 20% of local revenue to be spent on local productions and I hope to see Australia go down a similar path. Sub quotas to ensure that streaming services are commissioning drama, documentary and children’s content will also be an important part of policy discussions.
“There is a lot of detail to be considered in this proposal and we will be working with stakeholders in the industry over the coming months to ensure that we are able to get the best outcomes to tell Australian stories and secure Australian jobs.”

The Morrison Government’s new environment-wrecking laws do not have enough support to pass the parliament the Senate Inquiry report into the legislation released this afternoon shows.
The Greens, Labor and crossbench senators Patrick, Lambie and Griff all declared their opposition to the Bill leaving just the Morrison Government and One Nation in support.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Morrison Government’s environment-wrecking laws are dead in the water.
“The Government shamelessly tried to smooth the path for their big mining and developer mates to get their environment-destroying projects approved even faster while completely ignoring the independent review of environment laws that was underway.
“These laws are nothing more than a rehash of Tony Abbott’s 2014 bill which failed to pass the parliament then and will fail again now.
“The Environment Minister should announce today that the Government will not be pursuing this Bill any further.
“We have a once-in-ten-year opportunity to reform our environment laws to protect our wildlife and our wild places. Any new laws must be informed by a full and proper consideration of the final Samuel Report and include strong national environmental standards and an independent regulator to enforce them.”

The Morrison Government is supporting six new COVID-19 research projects across four institutions, allowing researchers continue to examine the virus and our response to the pandemic.
More than $4 million will be distributed from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) through two grant rounds to institutions including Monash University, Deakin University and Macquarie University.
These grants aim to develop high priority digital health infrastructure, improving the speed and features of health system responses during acute crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each of these projects has the ability to assist and inform government responses to the pandemic and continue our improvements to health outcomes for all Australians.
Three projects will receive funding through the 2020 Rapid Response Digital Health Infrastructure Grant Opportunity, worth approximately $3.5 million.
This includes $1.9 million to support Monash University’s work to create a national data management platform and Learning Health System, alongside real-time monitoring of Australia’s COVID-19 response.
A further three projects will also share in $600,000 through the 2020 Communication Strategies and Approaches during Outbreaks Grant Opportunity, focusing on understanding people’s communication needs, in order to improve community engagement and responsiveness to information and advice about pandemics.
A project through Deakin University will identify communication priorities and effective support for people with an intellectual disability living in high risk specialist disability accommodation during disease outbreaks.
As part of the Morrison Government’s Coronavirus Research response, over $96 million from the MRFF has been invested in COVID-19 research, including vaccine, anti-viral and respiratory medicine research.
Investing in health and medical research is a key priority of our Government’s Long Term National Health Plan. Research continues to play a critical role in ensuring Australia maintains its world-class health system, particularly as the world continues to respond to COVID-19.
The Morrison Government’s MRFF is a $20 billion endowment fund, allowing for long-term investment and support for Australia’s best and brightest researchers. Further information about the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff.

The community of George Town has welcomed improvements at its football club, thanks to the Federal Government’s investment in community sporting infrastructure.
The George Town Football Club received $250,000 through the Community Development Grants (CDG) Program.
It aims to improve local community infrastructure to encourage greater participation in sport and physical activity.
Minister for Sport, Senator Richard Colbeck and Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the George Town Football Club Ground New Lights Project, will allow for wider use for local footy teams and the wider sporting community.
“The investment in the George Town Football Club has allowed it to install new AFL standard lights,” Mrs Archer said.
“This includes towers to house the lights, footings for the towers and an upgrade to the power supply.
“The club is a hub for community sport, fielding teams in all levels and age ranges, and this upgrade has made the George Town oval even more accessible to the local community.
“The grounds are used by Auskick, junior competitions, under 18’s, reserves, senior men’s and women’s squads.”
The George Town project is one of 125 funded under the Australian Government’s CDG program, part of its 2019 election commitments.
Minister Colbeck said hundreds of sporting clubs across Australia had benefited.
“We know how important sport has become in strengthening communities, especially during what has been a challenging year,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This vital funding measure has granted clubs and organisations the opportunity to complete projects like this, ultimately encouraging more Australians to participate in community sport.”
Construction commenced on the George Town Football Club in December 2019, and the new oval lighting will be unveiled on Thursday, 26 November.
“The completion of this project signals an exciting new era for this region as more people take advantage of the upgraded facilities,” Ms Archer said.
 

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters, has called for cultural change to stop gendered violence, more funding for frontline domestic violence services, and the criminalisation of coercive control.
Senator Waters, along with Dr Anne Aly MP (ALP member for Cowan) and Dr Fiona Martin MP (Liberal member for Reid), today launched the Parliamentarians for Action to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children to encourage a multi-partisan commitment to stopping violence against women.
Speaking at the launch event, Senator Waters said family and domestic violence is a national emergency, and the new group offers an important forum to discuss ways to address it.
“Violence against women is at epidemic levels. One woman has been violently murdered almost every week in 2020, and the sector predicts that elevated levels of violence will continue with the financial and social stress of Covid recovery.
“I welcome the cross-party support for today’s event.  But we cannot keep turning up to events like this, reading news stories, hearing statistics, and say we are shocked.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of safety advocates, we know what needs to be done.  If we are serious about eliminating violence against women, we need immediate action on the key gaps.
“Frontline emergency response services must be adequately funded so that no woman is turned away when she seeks help – the sector says this means $1 billion each year,” said Senator Waters.
“We need a national approach to understanding and criminalising coercive control.  The community needs to recognise the serious risks of conduct like Hannah Clarke and her children were subjected to before their murder, and police need to be able to act.
“We need all parliamentarians to contribute to the cultural change that will eliminate violence against women, stand up to violent behaviour, and act to address the gender inequality which drives gendered violence.”
Today’s event was co-hosted by Our Watch and marked the start of their 16 Days, 16 Ways campaign to encourage bystanders to do something to show that violent behaviour is never OK.
“The primary prevention education and advocacy work done by Our Watch is crucial at driving behaviour change, as is respectful relationships education in schools.  This work must continue to be funded,” said Senator Waters
“Words on the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women will not be enough – we need action and full funding from the federal government.  I look forward to working with the Parliamentary group to keep these issues on the agenda throughout the year.”

The Australian Greens condemn the violence and breakdown in the UN-backed ceasefire in Western Sahara. Any acts of aggression by the Moroccan government are unacceptable, and the Australian Greens are profoundly concerned at reports that the Moroccan government has launched a military operation in a United Nations-patrolled buffer strip in Western Sahara.  The Australian Greens urge the UN to broker a renewed cease-fire as soon as possible.
The Australian Greens strongly support the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. They have been waiting for decades for a long-awaited referendum, and the United Nations should finally organise a free and fair referendum on independence in Western Sahara without further delay.
The Australian Government must use all diplomatic channels available to advocate for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and support all efforts to organise a free and fair referendum on independence in Western Sahara.

Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton, chaired the ninth special rural health COVID-19 roundtable on 27 August 2020, with members of the Rural Health Stakeholder group.
Minister Coulton recognised the work of rural and remote health workers and communities, particularly those in Victoria, in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Coulton raised the service of 146 General Practice Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs) across Australia, which have conducted over 500,000 COVID-19 assessments since they began earlier in the year and especially the 82 that serve regional communities. Minister Coulton spoke of the aged care sector’s challenges with COVID-19 and urged recognition that 97% of aged care homes are COVID-19 free thanks to the efforts of aged care providers.
State border restrictions continue to be a challenge for health services operating across borders and the communities who seek their care. Minister Coulton has raised these challenges with various jurisdictions and efforts continue on many fronts to limit the impact on border communities.
Minister Coulton reported 27 million telehealth services have been delivered to 10 million people (40% of the population) since implementation.  MBS Telehealth items are more likely to be refined rather than removed in the longer term. Minister Coulton spoke of the importance of demonstrated, established, and continuing relationships between GPs and patients to ensure telehealth remains a viable tool to improve health outcomes in the long term.
Minister Coulton invited the National Rural Health Commissioner, Prof Ruth Stewart, to update the group on the work of her office. The Commissioner reported she continues to Chair the Rural GP-led Respiratory Clinic National Leaders Network, which meets fortnightly, providing a direct line of communication between clinics and the Government.
Senior Department staff provided updates on the Commonwealth COVID-19 response. Participants provided valuable feedback to the Minister on the current focus and efforts of their own organisations in response to the outbreak.
An introduction from the Chief Allied Health Officer 
Since beginning in the role as Chief Allied Health Officer, Dr Boxall has been focussed on COVID-19 with particular focus on the allied health and disability sectors. Dr Boxall has also started to meet regularly with the National Rural Health Commissioner. In the short term,
Dr Boxall will focus her work on improving the profile of the allied health sector and professions. Dr Boxall has been in discussions with other Departmental staff as well as with the state based Chief Allied Health Officers around the increasing need of rehabilitation services for COVID-19 patients and the importance of allied health professionals in this work.
Update on the COVID-19 pandemic response in the primary care setting
Department officials reported GP-led Respiratory Clinics had provided over 500,000 consultations since implementation and have rapidly responded to keep communities safe. GPRCs in Victoria doubled their capacity in a week. Primary Health Networks have recently increased distribution of PPE to allied health providers in Victoria and New South Wales. The Department continues to monitor the availability of PPE and provide supplies through Primary Health Networks where required.
Indigenous Health Update
Department officials reported COVID-19 positive cases in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations remains very low, with no deaths reported. There have been no COVID-19 cases in remote communities. Sixty-three point of care testing sites are in place in remote communities, with the final 22 sites to be rolled out over the next month. Royal Flying Doctor Service continues to provide early and primary evacuations, testing and swab transfer, and fly-in respiratory clinics to rural and remote sites.
The CDNA National Guidance for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for COVID-19 was updated on 10 August, including findings from recent modelling work on COVID-19 in remote communities, undertaken to better guide response strategies.
For more information, the Department of Health directed members to the following webpage: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/support-for-remote-indigenous-communities-at-high-risk-from-covid-19
Mental Health update
The Department continues to recognise the burden experienced by those where COVID-19 restrictions are in place. In response to this, the Government announced provision of 10 additional Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions for people in areas impacted by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure was announced on Sunday 2 August with a focus on Victorian communities. More information can be found at: https://www.health.gov.au/news/additional-covid-19-mental-health-support-for-people-subjected-to-further-restrictions
Stakeholders were advised the Prime Minister had recently requested the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine, and Mental Health Commissioner, Christine Morgan, provide advice regarding further measures that could be taken to support the mental health and wellbeing of COVID affected communities. As a result, the Australian Government will provide an additional $31.9 million to create 15 mental health clinics across Victoria and further enhance essential support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/new-mental-health-clinics-support-victorians-during-covid-19-pandemic
Further Government funding has been provided to Headspace, Beyond Blue, Lifeline, and the Kids Helpline to manage an increase in demand for their online and phone services. Stakeholders raised the need for a mental health phone service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Reports of rural and remote health workers experiencing fatigue and exhaustion continue. The Roundtable agreed that any support Governments can provide to facilitate the movement of health workers across borders is important for the mental and physical wellbeing of the rural and remote workforce. Department officials agreed to further discuss actions to address this issue.
Primary care reform update
The Government is considering extending the COVID telehealth measures and options to link them with voluntary patient enrolment in GP practices in the future. Discussions with the sector and representative groups have resumed to inform the 10 Year Primary Health Care plan. The primary care steering group will next meet at the end of September 2020. The 10 Year Plan will include discussions on reforms for improved health service integration, digital infrastructure and funding for rural areas. The Department is currently working with New South Wales PHNs and Local Health Networks on joint planning of primary care services, including opportunities in virtual health.
Stakeholders discussed post-COVID considerations including the potential for rural and remote Australians to suffer poorer health outcomes as a result of many important services being unavailable. It was agreed that monitoring impacts on services and programs is important for future planning with different situations likely across the country.
Update on training and workforce matters
Stakeholders were informed the Rural Multidisciplinary Health Training (RHMT) Program Evaluation has been published on the Department’s website at: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/rural-health-rhmt-evaluation.  Government is undertaking consultation with stakeholders to guide future policy change and implementation. The National Rural Health Commissioner will assist with consultations and advise Government.
Access to locums to allow rural health workers to take leave was raised by stakeholders as a challenge due to border and travel restrictions. Demand for locums is likely to increase as we get closer to Christmas
Medical placements continue to be impacted primarily in Victoria. There is, however, a sense of optimism as new ways of training and delivery of services are opening up. Teaching students on how to deliver telehealth consultations is an example of this. Graduation numbers and the availability of rural and remote placements for allied health students has been impacted by COVID-19 travel and border restrictions.
The continued establishment of the National Rural Generalist Pathway and the additional 100 rural generalist placements were noted as important to address rural workforce issues.
Meeting summary
Minister Coulton noted the important reversal of the decision to increase fees for university courses including Social Work and Psychology. Minister Coulton also noted crucial role rural GPs play as the first point of contact for mental health services and the importance for local communities to see their GPs.
Minister Coulton advised that any immediate concerns can be raised directly ahead of the next meeting and thanked stakeholders for their engagement and advocacy supporting rural communities as the COVID-19 situation develops.
The most up-to-date information on the Australian Government response to COVID-19 can be found at www.australia.gov.au.
Twenty-one rural stakeholder organisations are members of the group, along with the National Rural Health Commissioner and the Commonwealth Department of Health.
Participant list
Members participating in the teleconference for the 24 July 2020 were:

• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
• National Rural Health Commissioner
• Indigenous Allied Health Australia
• Australian Dental Association
• Royal Flying Doctor Service
• National Rural Health Alliance
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association
• Rural Health Workforce Australia
• Pharmacy Guild of Australia
• Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health
• Allied Health Professions Australia
• Australian Rural Health Education Network
• CRANAplus
• Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
• Rural Doctors Association of Australia
• Rural Workforce Agencies Network
• Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators
• Australian Medical Association
• Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association

Apologies:

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners- Rural Faculty
• National Rural Health Student Network
• Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives