Category: Australian News

The National Cabinet has today endorsed measures for the resumption of sport and recreation activities across Australia.
A set of National Principles along with the Australian Institute of Sport’s, Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment, will be used to guide the staged return of activity as efforts to stop the spread of the virus continue.
Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the announcement signalled an important step as Australia, slowly and resolutely, emerges from the pandemic.
“The National Cabinet decisions map out a careful and sensible road ahead for the safe resumption of sports and recreation in Australia,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Both the National Principles and the Framework recognise the key role sport and recreation plays in the Australian community and the many health, economic, social and cultural benefits it provides.”
He said emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic would not be easy or fast – but planning for the future of sport and recreation would be a critical part of our national recovery.
“I fully support the National Cabinet’s firm resolution that the resumption of sport and recreation activity — at any level — must not compromise the health of individuals or the community,” Minister Colbeck said.
The National Principles make clear how sporting and recreational activities can only happen where stringent, public and personal health measures are observed and required standards met.
The Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment was developed by the AIS after extensive consultation with sports organisations.
It guides the staged resumption of sport and recreation at high performance, community, and individual levels.
The National Cabinet also agreed to establish a specialist COVID-19 Sports and Health Committee.
The committee will include relevant sports medicine and health experts from the AIS, sports, and governments to monitor and support the resumption process.
It will report to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee
“I want to stress that the resumption process will at all times be subject to the current circumstances of jurisdictions and under the direction of relevant public health authorities,” Minister Colbeck said.
“We can expect some variation because of local factors including COVID-19 epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies, and public health capacities.
“Today’s endorsement by the National Cabinet of the resumption of sport and recreation in Australia is a great step forward.
“However, we must all continue to play our part to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe from spread of COVID-19.”
AIS Framework for rebooting sport (PDF)

The Greens have condemned VicForests chief executive, Monique Dawson, for her comments towards Professor David Lindenmayer, one of the world’s most cited ecologists, following reports today of the proposed logging of forests in Victoria and NSW that were burnt in last summer’s devastating bushfires.
State Greens MP Ellen Sandell has called on Premier Daniel Andrews to immediately review the VicForests CEO’s position, saying her anti-science comments as a public office holder are unacceptable.
Greens Senator Janet Rice has written to Environment Minister Sussen Ley, urging the federal government to step in and prevent the state logging agencies from causing further damage to these bushfire-affected forest areas.
Senator Janet Rice, Greens federal spokesperson for Forests said:
“The head of VicForests is a science denier. Monique Dawson was quoted rejecting the work of an internationally regarded ecologist and her outrageous views should have no place in the Victorian public service.
“This summer’s fires burnt through an unprecedented 20% of our mainland forests, but our state and federal governments seem happy to decimate these already badly-damaged fire-affected areas.
“The science is clear that this ‘salvage logging’ activity will cause further disturbance to these ecosystems and would severely hamper the regeneration and recovery of these forests.
“I have written to Minister Ley to urge the federal government & its Expert Panel on bushfire recovery to stop VicForests and the NSW Forestry Corporation from causing further destruction.
Ellen Sandell MP, Victorian Greens spokesperson for environment said:
“Logging in burnt forests is like sending a recovery patient to war. With protection and restoration, our forests will recover, but not if they’re logged so soon after the summer’s devastating fires.
“VicForests’ science denial is yet another example of the agency’s total disregard for science, in the same week courts have stepped in to halt logging in 26 areas.
“The Government must immediately review the CEO’s position and rule out post-fire logging for the protection of our environment, our water catchments and our wildlife.”

Young people starting their first job following the COVID-19 crisis will earn on average $35,000 less than their peers over the next decade – a 6% pay cut, or essentially working over 6 months unpaid, modelling from the Australian Greens has predicted.
With young people already enduring the hardest hit from working in those sectors that have been shut down, and half a million casual workers under 24 excluded from the JobKeeper scheme, the figure highlights the importance of putting young people’s needs front and centre in recovery plans and to start supporting them now through JobKeeper.
This modelling was undertaken by the Greens using predictions made by researchers looking at employment ‘scarring’ as a result of job market shocks and more young people competing for a shrinking pool of jobs.
The research finds that in a hostile labour market, young people are more likely to accept lower paid or less suitable work, which then takes a long time to undo. The underpinning body of evidence from US studies assume a 3% rise in unemployment, far less than the increase from 5% to 10% foreshadowed – so young people could be even worse off than predicted.
“Imagine if today you got a 6% pay cut locked in for the next ten years of your life. That’s the reality for every young person looking for their first job after the pandemic,” Adam Bandt MP said.
“If you’re entering the workforce now, you’re not only battling stagnant wages, unaffordable housing and the climate crisis, you’re trying to get into a job market that’s collapsing around you.
“Young people will be hit the hardest when it comes to looking for a job. Unemployment will be through the roof and there will be even more crappy jobs that don’t offer enough hours of work or high enough wages.”
“Even if you do manage to get a job on the other side, it will come at a cost. Young people can put a price tag on this pandemic. It will cost you $34,442 over the next decade and there’s no refunds.
“When you’ve got bills piling up and rent to pay, it can be tough to turn down a lousy job that barely pays the bills, if only to keep a roof over your head. All too often one bad job leads to another, so it’s really tough to get the experience and confidence needed to get the job you deserve.
“Right now in Australia employers have all the power, so it’s tough to get the leg up to the job you really want, and it will take up to a decade to get your career back on track.
“This $35,000 over a decade isn’t just loose change that could go to rent, it’s a housing deposit that’s been taken away from you, money that could pay off your car, or go into your savings to get ready for a rainy day.
“We can turn this around. When we’re rebuilding our economy, we need to put young people front and centre. We need to make sure that there’s enough available and meaningful work available to make sure everyone has the job they deserve.
“That needs to start with making sure that all young people can access JobKeeper. By locking new casual workers out of JobKeeper, the Liberals have shown they don’t understand the realities of the modern workplace.
“By ignoring young people, Scott Morrison is setting up the next generation to fail. The government is asking young people to pay for an economic stimulus package they’re not even allowed to access.
“It’s never been more important to get politically active and join your union.  With the Greens as your strong voice in parliament and the unions behind you, we can take back the workplace rights and opportunities that have been snatched away.”
Key points:
•         A young worker entering the workforce in the COVID-19 downturn will have a mean 6% reduction in annual earnings each year for a decade.
•         Across a decade, this represents the loss of 60% of a year’s annual income – or $34,442 when considering the average salary of a full time worker under 24 years old.
•         As the underpinning body of evidence assumes a 3% rise in unemployment, far less than we are likely to experience, young people could be even worse off than predicted.
•         This loss is compounded when considering the follow-on impacts on superannuation balance, a delayed move from renting to a mortgage, and a reduction in interest from savings.

The National Cabinet met today to take further decisions to save lives, and to save livelihoods.
The Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy provided an update on the measures underway, the latest data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.
There are over 6,760 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 92 people have died. There are now only around 1000 active cases in Australia, and over the past week, daily infection rates have been very low, especially in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, the ACT, Queensland and South Australia.
Initial actions and measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia have been largely successful at slowing the growth of cases domestically and ensuring the national health care system has the ability to cope with cases, and surge when required.
We need to continue to have the right controls in place to test more people, trace those who test positive and respond to local outbreaks when they occur. These are amongst the precedent conditions to enable Australia to relax baseline restrictions.
National Cabinet encouraged Australians to download the COVIDSafe app to ensure that we can protect Australians and reset baseline restrictions.
The ability to find and contain outbreaks quickly will mean governments can ease restrictions while still keeping Australians safe. National Cabinet thanked the more than 3.5 million Australians that have already downloaded the COVIDSafe app.
Treasury Secretary, Dr Steven Kennedy, provided National Cabinet with an economic update for both the domestic and international situation.
National Cabinet agreed to bring forward the review of the first phase of removing baseline restrictions on Friday 8 May 2020, including an assessment of achievement against precedent conditions.
National Cabinet agreed to meet again on Tuesday 5 May 2020.
Industry Code for Aged Care Sector
National Cabinet endorsed the draft ‘Code of Conduct on Pandemic Procedures’ for residential aged care. The sector-led Code will encourage providers to act compassionately while balancing the challenges of COVID-19, taking into account the wishes of individual residents.
This Code of Conduct will drive a more responsive and consistent approach to visitation and communication across residential aged care. It will also empower residents and their families to speak up and it will provide an agreed course of action to resolve complaints.
The Code has been developed by, and agreed with, peak bodies representing the majority of aged care providers and consumers, including:

• Council of the Ageing (COTA)
• Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA)
• Leading Age Services Australia (LASA)
• The Aged Care Guild (The Guild)
• National Seniors Australia (NSA)
• Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
• Dementia Australia (DA)

The Code is available here. It is currently with individual providers and consumers for consultation until 7 May.
National Cabinet thanked the aged care sector for their cooperation in developing the Code and encouraged providers to adopt the Code once finalised to ensure consistency and transparency across Australia.
National Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to the AHPPC recommendations which prohibit entry to a residential aged care facility for anyone who has not been vaccinated against influenza after 1 May 2020. This is an important safeguard against possible influenza outbreaks in vulnerable groups.
National Cabinet also recognised the Commonwealth’s additional funding support package of $205 million for the aged care sector.
National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activities
National Cabinet agreed that sport and recreation will play a significant role as Australia emerges from the COVID-19 environment due to the associated health, economic, social and cultural benefits it brings.
National Cabinet also agreed that the resumption of sport and recreation activity at any level must not compromise the health of individuals or the community; must be based on objective health information to ensure potential transmission rates are conducive to the safe conduct of sport and recreation; and should only occur where activity-specific, stringent, public and personal health measures are observed, and meeting minimum standards.
National Cabinet considered and endorsed ‘National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities’ developed by the AHPPC in consultation with sporting bodies across Australia (Attachment A).
The Principles will help provide a pathway for a staged return of community and professional sport, as well as recreational activities, without compromising the health of individuals or the community.
It was noted that evidence to date suggests that even with similar mitigation steps, outdoor activities are a lower risk setting for COVID-19 transmission.
The staged return will commence an initial phase of small group (<10) activities in a non-contact fashion, prior to moving on to a subsequent phase of large group (>10) activities including full contact training and competition in sport.
The initial phase accommodates, where possible, for the resumption of children’s outdoor sport with strict physical distancing measures for non-sporting attendees such as parents, and outdoor recreational activities including but not limited to outdoor-based personal training and boot camps, golf, fishing, bush-walking, and swimming.
The states and territories will be responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level and will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.
National Cabinet agreed that the ‘Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment’ developed by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) provides a guide to the staged resumption of sport and recreation in Australia (Attachment B).
For high performance and professional sporting organisations, the regime underpinned in the Framework is considered a minimum baseline standard required to be met before the resumption of training and match play.
National Cabinet also endorsed the AHPPC’s proposal to form a COVID-19 Sports and Health Committee comprising the Commonwealth Deputy CMO, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Medical Director, an infection control expert, representatives of Federal, State and Territory Departments of Health, Sport and Recreation and relevant sports medical officers from the National Sporting Organisations, to closely monitor and report on any COVID-19 related issues or manifestations in the sector during the resumption phase, as well as any further and specific decisions about the resumption of sport – for a minimum of three months from commencement.
Key metrics to relax restrictions
National Cabinet endorsed medical advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee which sets out key metrics to support decision making on the relaxation of restriction measures (Attachment C).
The AHPPC’s Pandemic Intelligence Plan, Precedent Condition report and the Australian National Disease Surveillance Plan also recommended public health and surveillance measures to achieve continued suppression of COVID-19.
Initial actions and measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia have been largely successful at slowing the growth of cases domestically and ensuring the national health care system has the ability to cope with cases, and surge when required.
For COVID-19 suppression strategies to be effective, Reff (the number of people a single case infects on average) needs to be less than 1.0. The Reff continues to be below 1.0 in all jurisdictions with sufficient local transmission.
In particular National Cabinet noted the significant progress against precedent conditions, ahead of any consideration of relaxation of baseline measures.
AHPPC advice is that of 15 precedent conditions needed to be in place to consider relaxing restrictions, Australia is currently on track to meet 11 conditions. Governments will expediate four conditions – surveillance (testing), state and territory surveillance plans and resources, use of COVIDSafe App and stocks of personal protective equipment – gowns and goggles. Further details of preconditions are in Attachment C.
Boarding Schools Arrangements
National Cabinet adopted the AHPPC statement on risk management for re-opening boarding schools and school-based residential colleges. The AHPPC has made a number of practical recommendations that these boarding schools and colleges should consider, including a reduction in the number of boarding students, staggered dining times and establishing procedures for quarantine. AHPPC advises that decisions around boarding arrangements should involve parents and ensure a clear understanding of any related issues, as well as risk management plans.

There is new hope for thousands of Australians with cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma with new and amended medicines listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from today.
To help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, the Australian Government is expanding subsidised access to a breakthrough medicine that combats high cholesterol, with up to 30,000 Australians per year expected to benefit.
From 1 May, the PBS listing of Repatha® (evolocumab) will be extended to include patients with certain types of high risk cardiovascular disease caused by high cholesterol.

• Patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia (abnormally high cholesterol) who have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and meet certain conditions will now have access to Repatha.
• The listing of Repatha will also be extended to include more patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (genetic high cholesterol).

Hypercholesterolaemia results in abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to blockages in the arteries, hardening of the arterial walls, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke without proper treatment.
Repatha is a breakthrough new medicine that can dramatically lower cholesterol levels which can reduces a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Patients might otherwise pay over $5,400 per year for Repatha. With the PBS subsidy, they will only need to pay $41 per prescription, or $6.60 with a concession card.
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in Australia, with 43,477 deaths attributed to it in Australia in 2017. It is estimated cardiovascular disease kills one Australian every 12 minutes.
Also from today, Australians with rheumatoid arthritis will benefit from the listing of Rinvoq® (upadacitinib) on the PBS.
Patients might otherwise pay more than $16,000 per year for Rinvoq but with the PBS subsidy will only pay $41 or $6.60 with a concession card.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting about 458,000 Australians. It attacks the body’s healthy tissues, targeting the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and joint damage.
It can cause significant physical disability, pain, fatigue and mental health issues.
Currently, there is no cure, but rheumatoid arthritis medicines can reduce pain and stiffness and prevent long-term joint damage.
Rinvoq® will be a new treatment option for people with severe rheumatoid arthritis providing them with more choice in how they manage this painful condition.
Around 5,000 patients per year already access a comparable treatment, and may benefit from this new treatment option.
Also from 1 May, Australians with uncontrolled severe asthma will now have access to Fasenra Pen®.
Fasenra® (benralizumab) is currently listed on the PBS as a syringe for injection for the treatment of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma.
This new pre filled pen will allow patients who choose to self administer Fasenra to be treated at home, rather than attend a clinic to access the medicine through a syringe injection administered by a health professional.
Over 1,000 patients per year access Fasenra through the PBS and may benefit from the listing of Fasenra Pen®. Without the PBS subsidy, patients might otherwise pay up to $23,000 per year.
These new and amended listings were recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,350 new or amended listings on the PBS.
This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month or around one each day – at an overall investment by the Government around $11 billion.
The Government’s commitment to making sure Australians can access the medicines they need, at affordable prices, remains rock solid.

Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Family, Ageing & Community Services spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert have said that today’s 2020 Rental Affordability Snapshot, released by Anglicare Australia, has highlighted the dire state of housing affordability in Australia, as well as the need for a permanent increase to the JobSeeker Payment (which has been temporarily increased for six months).
Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:
“The near-complete lack of rental homes affordable for people even on the increased JobSeeker payment underlies the need for sweeping changes to boost social and affordable housing in Australia.
“There needs to be an urgent increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance combined with an expansion of social housing.
“Renters have really suffered during this pandemic. While facing unemployment, wage losses and enormous instability, many have had to fight to keep a roof over their heads in a housing market that structurally favours property owners and landlords.
“The system is completely rigged, especially against people on low incomes. It’s time for a complete overhaul of neoliberal housing policies that have led us here and to recognise housing as a human right.
“We need a massive increase in social housing by building 500,000 new publicly-owned homes and a reversal of unfair tax incentives that have contributed to the marketisation of housing over decades,” she said.
Senator Rachel Siewert said:
“This report highlights how important a permanent increase to the JobSeeker payment is in ensuring that no one is living in poverty.
“Even with the temporary JobSeeker increase there are still very few affordable properties to rent for people on income support.
“This needs to be a wake up call to the Government, everyone in our community should have safe, affordable housing and an income to ensure this,” she said.

Greens Senators Janet Rice and Larissa Waters have called for Bridget McKenzie to appear before the sports rorts senate committee following unanswered questions in the Senator’s submission to the inquiry late yesterday.
The Prime Minister should bring to a vote the Greens’ National Integrity Commission Bill when parliament resumes in May to ensure fair allocation of future funding.
Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Sport said:
“Senator McKenzie’s submission raises more questions than it answers.
“Senator McKenzie’s defense seems to be that the ANAO report is based on an email from an advisor in her office, one that she claims to have never seen.
“If Senator McKenzie wants to hang her case on this email, she must authorise its release to the senate inquiry.
“Senator McKenzie’s claim that the colour-coding of the spreadsheet was to ensure a geographical spread in funding is laughable. If that’s the case, she needs to explain exactly how the colours matched geographic regions rather than political leanings.
“Though we’ve seen an avalanche of evidence revealing the direct involvement of the Prime Minister’s office, Senator McKenzie’s submission omits an explanation of the Prime Minister’s involvement.
Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on democracy said:
“The constant blame shifting in this scandal does nothing to address underlying integrity issues with the Morrison government.
“As plans are made for allocating funds for recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, it’s critical public confidence is restored in how recipients are chosen.
“The process must be fair and transparent, and Ministers should be held accountable for decisions.
“This is why an independent federal corruption watchdog, with real power, is vital.
“The Prime Minister should bring on the vote for my National Integrity Commission Bill when parliament resumes in May”.

Australian Greens Senator and Education spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi has rejected the government’s bizarre cash incentives for private schools to re-open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This is yet another special deal for private schools. Ninety-nine percent of public schools are underfunded as they work to support kids and families through this pandemic. Their students need urgent investment, not the 99% of private schools that are overfunded.
“What the Minister proposes is a bizarre approach to both school funding and public health.
“School re-openings should be based on considerations of the health and wellbeing of students and teachers, as well as careful discussions with school communities, not on whether private school boards are willing to accept bribes from the Minister in the form of advance funding.
“It is despicable of the government to try and put pressure on public schools in this way.
“We know the combination of economic conditions and exorbitant fees at private schools is very likely to cause student withdrawals. An advance for next year based on current enrolments will inevitably include money for students that won’t be there.
“This comes only weeks after the Liberals and Labor pushed $3.4 billion in additional private school funding through parliament during an emergency COVID-19 sitting.
“Days after indicating that Newstart payments would return to below the poverty line, the government has found money in its back pocket to pay out billions of dollars to private schools ahead of schedule,” she said.

The Greens have called on the Federal Government to push to end the global trade of wildlife, backing the calls of conservation and animal protection groups including Humane Society International and World Animal Protection, who want the commercial trade and sale in markets of wild animals to be banned.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“If the Australian Government wants to really lead from the front on this issue it will call for an end to the global trade of wildlife, not just an investigation into wildlife markets.
“The science is well established on the link between wildlife consumption and the transfer of zoonotic diseases to humans.
“There cannot just be an investigation of wildlife markets in China or other countries like Indonesia as the Prime Minister seemed to be suggesting today. Ultimately the trade of wildlife for consumption and other purposes, which is a global issue including in Australia, must end.
“A push to end wildlife markets is welcome but it must be accompanied by a push to end the trade of wild animals, otherwise very little will have been achieved in the battle to prevent future pandemics like Covid19.
“The Prime Minister also needs to commit to looking at wildlife trade in his own backyard. The Federal Government needs to close the loopholes in our laws that allow our rare and endangered native animals to be traded for profit and ensure they are protected here where they belong.
“Ending the trade of wildlife would not only help keep the global community safe from future pandemics but also help protect the world’s precious wildlife for future generations.
“Wildlife trade impacts biodiversity, can cause diseases to be transferred between other wildlife species putting them at risk, drives poaching and trafficking and ultimately fuels the extinction crisis around the world.
“We cannot go back to the way things were before COVID-19, we must change our ways for the sake of our own health and the planet’s.”