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Tennis Australia Drops Santos: Other Codes Must Follow Suit

THE CLIMATE COUNCIL is calling for Aussie sports to ditch their polluting fossil fuel sponsors after Tennis Australia dumped oil and gas giant Santos, a year into what was meant to be a multi-year sponsorship.

Almost 12 months after some of the nation’s most high profile athletes, including Australian Cricket Captain Pat Cummins, called for greater climate action, the Climate Council has welcomed the decision to cut ties with the fossil fuel industry from one of Australia’s biggest sporting events.

Australia’s summer of sport is under threat from climate change, which is being driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas. Recent examples include:

Temperatures at the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne have repeatedly hit +40°C with games suspended and players taken to hospital.
In 2018 and again in 2019, dangerous heatwaves forced organisers of the Santos Tour Down Under cycle event to shorten the route.
In 2018, at the Sydney Ashes Test, England’s captain Joe Root was hospitalised as air temperature hit 41.9°C.
Bushfires smoke from the 2019-20 Black Summer exposed athletes and spectators at all levels to dangerous air pollution.
In November 2020, AFL Northern Territory league implemented an extreme heat policy with mid-30°C temperatures forecast for weekend games.

Dr Martin Rice, the Climate Council’s Director of Research, said:

“Santos is a huge contributor to climate change, and yet it’s sponsoring some of our most beloved sports including Rugby Australia and the Santos Tour Down Under, the largest cycle race in the southern hemisphere that is taking place right now in South Australia.”

“Other fossil fuel sponsored sporting codes must take note of this move by Tennis Australia and kick fossil fuel-backed companies into touch. Sporting clubs and codes can also rapidly cut their own greenhouse gas emissions by changing the way they build venues, power events, travel and by cutting waste.”

“Fossil fuel companies sponsoring our sporting events, from a professional to community level, makes as much sense as if they were being supported by the tobacco industry. We ditched tobacco sponsorship in sport, now we need to do the same for polluting coal, oil and gas companies, which are driving worsening climate change and putting the future of sports at risk.”

Australian sport is worth $50 billion to the economy and employs over 220,000 people, but governments are ill prepared for escalating climate risks. You can learn more about how climate change is affecting sport in Australia and how it can also be a powerful force for change in the Climate Council’s ‘Game, Set, Match’ report.

National Research Centre to support Australians with Eating Disorders

The Morrison Government is investing $13 million to establish a world-leading National Eating Disorder Centre, where Australia’s best researchers will collaborate to transform how eating disorders are diagnosed and treated.
The University of Sydney’s InsideOut Institute, Orygen, Black Dog Institute, and seven other universities and institutes will lead the new Research Centre, which will support research into:

transforming eating disorder clinical practice
informing future policy
developing the capacity and capability of the research workforce
supporting the delivery of evidence-based treatment options, and
coordinating research activities across the country.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said eating disorders were complex and affected people of all ages across the country.
“At any one time, there are more than a million Australians with an eating disorder, and we want to ensure they can get easy access to the best possible treatment,” Minister Hunt said.
“There is evidence that early intervention into eating disorders can reduce the duration of the illness and improve outcomes for patients. It is possible for many people to make a full recovery if they get the right treatment at the right time.
“Eating disorders are a priority for the Morrison Government and the new research centre will find innovative ways to care for patients, improve prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery rates.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the centre was the result of Australia’s first Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Strategy 2021-31.
“Globally, eating disorders have tragically high mortality rates,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“By working with researchers, clinicians, consumers and carers – locally and internationally – the new research centre will help to translate research into practice, build the capacity and capability of the research workforce, and ultimately improve the quality of life for all Australians with eating disorders, their families, supporters and carers.”
Funding for a National Eating Disorder Research Centre is part of $26.9 million provided for eating disorder research and support as part of the Morrison Government’s 2021-22 Budget.
The Morrison Government has made mental health a national priority, and since 2018 has delivered unprecedented support for eating disorder research, support and treatment. This includes historic investments such as $110.7 million to provide up to 40 Medicare-subsidised psychological and 20 dietetic therapy sessions, $63 million for establishment of a national network of residential eating disorders treatment centres, $5 million for research through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), and $13.4 million for the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC).
Through the $2.3 billion National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan in the 2021-22 Budget, the Morrison Government continues to transform the mental health system to ensure that all Australians can access, high-quality, person-centred care when and where it is needed.
If you or anyone you know is concerned about eating disorder or body image issues, you can contact the Butterfly Foundation’s national eating disorders helpline, ED Hope, on 1800 33 4673 or through www.butterfly.org.au.
Anyone experiencing distress can also seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au).

Australians with severe dermatitis to benefit from PBS listing

From 1 February 2022, Australians with severe atopic dermatitis will have access to a new treatment listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Australians aged 12 years or older living with this form of dermatitis will benefit from the extended listing of Rinvoq^® (upadacitinib) on the PBS.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic skin condition affecting the skin, causing redness, itching and sometimes infections.
Uncontrolled eczema has a significant impact on the day to day life of patients and their families, including sleep deprivation, an increased risk of skin infection, depression and anxiety.
Rinvoq® helps to improve the condition of the skin, reducing itching and flares by blocking enzymes which create signals in the body’s immune system resulting in inflammation.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said this listing will benefit around 3,600 Australians a year.
“Without this subsidy, patients might pay more than $27,000 per year treatment, instead they’ll pay $42.50 or as little as $6.80 per script,” Minister Hunt said.
“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,800 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $14 billion.
“Our Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.”
The listing of Rinvoq^® on the PBS has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

Tragic spike in NSW coastal drownings

Beachgoers are being urged to take responsibility for their safety and swim between the flags, after NSW recorded an increase in the number of drownings this summer.
Since December 1, there have been 15 coastal deaths and drownings, including three rock fisherman, which is two more than the same time last year.
Premier Dominic Perrottet is reminding the public to swim between the flags, observe safety warnings and look after loved ones when close to the water.
“Australia Day is traditionally a high-risk holiday on our waterways. While our lifesavers and first responders are always vigilant, this is one of the days where more rescues and sadly drownings often occur,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Whether you’re at a beach, pool, river or lake, my message to swimmers is to know the risks, be aware of your surroundings and look out for each other.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said beachgoers can take simple precautions in and around the water to keep themselves safe.
“A tragedy can unfold in seconds on our beaches. Please supervise children, swim between the flags, wear a life jacket when required and always listen to the warnings from emergency services,” Ms Cooke said.
“I want to thank the 75,000 Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers and 129 surf clubs who have worked tirelessly this summer to keep locals and visitors safe on our beaches.”
Member for Pittwater and Surf Lifesaver Rob Stokes thanked the Warriewood surf club for their tireless efforts, after a difficult summer holidays.
“Tragedy has struck here at Warriewood with the death of a rock fisherman on New Year’s Day. We ask all beachgoers be vigilant and make sure their trip to the beach is one to remember for all the right reasons,” Mr Stokes said.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said despite the recent wet weather, Surf Life Saving NSW has had an extremely busy holiday period across the State.
“The NSW coastline boasts beautiful beaches and everyone can enjoy them safely by checking the conditions before swimming, wearing a life jacket when boating or rock fishing and remembering that alcohol and water activities don’t mix,” Mr Pearce said.
Over the Australia Day long weekend last year, surf lifesavers and lifeguards rescued 815 people, which accounted for 22 per cent of all rescues recorded in the entire year.
Since July 1, there have been more than 31 coastal drownings and deaths in NSW, including five rock fishermen.

Covid-Smart plan to start 2022 school year

Students will return to school under COVID-smart settings that will minimise the risk of the virus and allow teachers and pupils to return safely to the classroom.
As part of the new measures, every student and teacher in NSW government and non-government schools will be able to receive rapid antigen test (RAT) kits before school returns on February 1.
The COVID-Smart Plan to keep schools open and students safe includes:

Twice a week surveillance testing for primary and high school students, school staff and early childhood staff. Surveillance testing will be undertaken for the first four weeks of term, with two weeks of supply distributed before term starts
Mandatory mask wearing for all staff and high school students, with masks encouraged for children in primary schools
Limiting interaction between year groups
Limiting visitors to those providing essential curriculum and wellbeing support
COVID-safe settings in place for music, sport and excursions
Maximising natural and mechanical ventilation, with air purifiers dispatched to where they are needed
Contingency plans in place to manage any disruptions to the workforce

Premier Dominic Perrottet said supporting students to return safely to the classroom is vital after two years of disruption to their education.
“Students learn best at school, some students have spent a quarter of their schooling at home. We’re committed to bringing students back safely,” Mr Perrottet said.
“New COVID-smart measures will help make this happen, including surveillance testing both students and staff twice weekly with RATs.
“What is most important about this approach is that it allows students to enjoy all aspects of their schooling in a safe and sensible way.
“The government is distributing more than 12 million RATs to over 3150 government, non-government schools and early childhood centres to assist with surveillance testing of staff and students.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said testing complements other COVID smart measures in schools, including mandatory vaccination for staff, increased vaccination coverage for students , mask-wearing, cleaning, cohorting and limited visitors on-site.
“We have worked closely with the Victorian Government to create plans that achieve the same important goals of seeing our students learning in their classrooms safely and with minimal disruption,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Activities students love, such as music, school sport and assemblies, will continue with settings in place similar to late last year.”
A number of staffing contingencies are in place including utilising retired and studying teachers.
The Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales Dr Geoff Newcombe AM said all three school sectors worked closely together to develop the back to school arrangements.
“School communities should feel confident about returning for Term 1 under these arrangements, which allow a wide range of activities to proceed with appropriate risk-assessment and planning,” Dr Newcombe said.
Catholic Schools NSW Chief Executive Officer Dallas McInerney said it is imperative that we have schools that are safe and that remain open.
“We need to keep our students, teachers and families safe and also provide stability. We know that our kids learn best when they’re in the classroom with their teacher and peers,” Mr McInerney said.
Families will be notified by their schools on how and when to collect the RAT kits for their children.
In the 12 to 15-year-old age group, more than 80 per cent of children have had their
first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 78 per cent are double-dosed. In the 5 to 11-year-old age group, more than 24 per cent of children have had their first dose.
Clinical evidence suggests the Omicron variant is milder and less likely to result in serious illness, particularly amongst children, and that vaccines, especially boosters, are effective in protecting the community. More information on the return to school settings for NSW public schools is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

Changes to pre-departure testing for international arrivals to Australia

The Australian Government has reviewed the requirements for pre-departure testing for international arrivals to Australia and will make changes to provide more flexibility for people to demonstrate they have a negative COVID-19 test result prior to departure.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 the Government will change the requirements for a pre-departure test of any nucleic acid amplification test (such as PCR tests) within three days, to allow the flexibility for passengers to instead show a negative test result through a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of the flight departure time.
These changes will come into effect from 1.00am Sunday 23 January 2022.
While PCR tests remain the gold standard test, a RAT within 24 hours is an acceptable indicator of whether a traveller has COVID-19 before flying to Australia.
This is consistent with moves within Australia to accept RATs for diagnostic purposes.
In addition to this, the time between receiving a positive test result and being able to be cleared for travel to Australia will be reduced from 14 to seven days. This will reduce wait times for travellers who contract COVID-19 overseas to return to Australia in line with the new domestic isolation requirements.
The pre-departure testing requirements will continue to be reviewed regularly, taking into account the domestic and international epidemiology.
Travellers to Australia must still wear a mask during their flight and follow the directions of state and territory governments regarding quarantine and on-arrival testing.
The Government will continue to take measures to protect Australia by preventing and controlling the entry, emergence, establishment and spread of COVID-19.

Building a New Tasmanian Home for the Royal Flying Doctors

A Federal Labor Government will commit $15 million to build a new Tasmanian home for the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Launceston Airport.
The current site has served the community well for 20 years, but it is clear that it is no longer adequate to provide the services that Tasmanians deserve.
The RFDS’s current home is unable to support either rotary aircraft or up to date clinical activities, while the realities of the pandemic and capacity constraints have forced RFDS and Ambulance Tasmania personnel to spread themselves across three separate buildings.
It’s clear that RFDS needs a new Tasmanian home, and that is exactly what a Labor Government will deliver.
This redevelopment will include facilities for world-class clinical care, as well as adequate capacity for rotary and fixed wing aircrafts, ground vehicle transfers and the space needed to cater for surge workers when required.
By securing the future of the RFDS at Launceston Airport, this project will ensure that this essential service retains its central location and accessibility to Tasmanians in all corners of the state.
No matter where they live, Tasmanians will continue to be in reach of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Thousands of flights are undertaken by RFDS Tasmania each year providing crucial aero-medical and patient transfer.
RFDS Tasmania also plays a critical role in tackling chronic disease and reducing the rate of hospital admissions across the state. It delivers a range of primary health care services including dental, physical and mental health programs.
This is just the first of a number of commitments a Labor Government will make to secure the health of all Tasmanians, delivering a better future to locals across the state.

$20 million health win for Batemans Bay

The community of Batemans Bay will benefit from a new $20 million HealthOne facility as part of the NSW Government’s record investment of $500 million to ensure that more health services and infrastructure are delivered to rural and regional NSW.
Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, said Batemans Bay HealthOne has been undergoing planning for the past six months, and will be a one-stop, unique model of integrated care for the community.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government has consistently worked to deliver health upgrades to rural communities, so that people can access high quality health services in contemporary, purpose built facilities close to home,” Mr Hazzard said.
The model brings together Commonwealth-funded general practice and state-funded primary and community healthcare services, including dental, pharmacy and allied health professionals, to create a healthcare hub in one convenient location.
“While Commonwealth and State Governments have different areas of responsibility in delivering health services, the community just wants an effective, seamless system that works for them,” Mr Hazzard said.
“HealthOnes are particularly beneficial for people who have complex health needs, and are a proven successful model that bridges the gap between private providers and Commonwealth and State delivered health services.”
The new $20 million HealthOne at Batemans Bay complements the NSW Government’s $260 million investment in a new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital which will be built at Moruya.
Since coming into Government, the Liberals and Nationals have delivered more than 110 health capital projects across rural and regional NSW with more than 70 additional projects currently underway.

Delivering great healthcare for Eurobodalla

Liberal candidate for Bega, Dr Fiona Kotvojs, welcomed the Health Minister’s commitment to deliver a state-of-the art $260 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, which will help safeguard the healthcare needs of the local community.
Dr Kotvojs said the NSW Government had made a considerable investment in the region’s healthcare needs, including funding for the Hospital which will serve as a home for a larger, revitalised health workforce.
NSW Government’s funding for Southern NSW included:

$20 million funding for a HealthOne for Bateman’s Bay
$15 million for modern, sustainable accommodation for health workers close to health facilities, as part of a $45 million program for key health workers accommodation across the regions
An additional $60 million (total $260 million) to ensure that all services and facilities that needed to be delivered at Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, are delivered.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government, in no small way due to the outstanding advocacy and representation by Andrew Constance, has already delivered level 4 health services at South Eastern Regional Hospital, and by 2025 our community will have the new $260 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital welcoming patients from across Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma with its level 4 services,” said Dr Kotvojs.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be a magnet for a bigger, revitalised health workforce.
“This is an amazing part of NSW and is an ideal home for medical, nursing and allied health professionals to have great careers while supporting the south coast community with their vital health care needs,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Work that is necessary for the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital to open with expanded services at Level 4 is already well underway.”
“When the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was elected in, in 2011, after 16 years of Labor Government, there were no level 4 health services on the south coast. When Labor was in government, health services were closed. Now there are massive new hospitals that have been built, or are being built.
“That’s a great success for the south coast, being delivered by the Liberal and Nationals Government,” Mr Hazzard said.
*Levels assigned to hospitals describes the level of clinical services, not hospitals or health facilities as a whole. The new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will include: an emergency department, an 8 bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) /Close Observation Unit (COU), increased capacity for chemotherapy treatments, surgical and operating theatres, expanded medical imaging, including MRI and additional X-ray; ambulatory care for community outpatient services, paediatric and maternity services – including inpatient beds; flexible mental health beds associated with the medical inpatient unit and enhanced education and training facilities.
More information about how stakeholders and community members can get involved in the project is available at www.eurobodallahs.health.nsw.gov.au

National Cabinet Statement

National Cabinet met today to discuss our response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, approaches to test, trace isolate and quarantine including the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and the vaccine rollout and booster programme.
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the spread of the Omicron variant. Omicron case numbers continue to increase in Australia and globally. Omicron continues to show greater infectivity than the Delta variant, but with much less severity in terms of hospitalisations, ICU and ventilated patients.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 1,514,560 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 2,841 people have died.
Globally there have been over 333.4 million cases and sadly over 5.5 million deaths, with 3,281,678 new cases and 9,162 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, DSC, AM, Coordinator General of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce (Operation COVID Shield) provided a detailed briefing on the major expansion in Australia’s vaccination rollout.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date 47 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 332,808 doses in the previous 24 hours.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1.9 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 95.2 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 99 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 92.7 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 97.5 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Over 5.7 million booster doses have been administered to over 28 per cent of Australians. More than 53 per cent of Australians aged 70 years of age and over have had a booster in the last 10 weeks since the booster program commenced.
More than 21 per cent of 5-11 year olds have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the first 11 days of the children vaccination program.
National Cabinet will meet again on Thursday 27 January 2022.
COVID-19 Treatments and Vaccinations
National Cabinet received an update from Adjunct Professor John Skerritt of the Therapeutic Goods Administration on approvals for the first oral treatments for COVID-19 in Australia, Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir).
Lagevrio and Paxlovid are oral anti-viral treatments that have been found to be effective in treating people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who have a high risk of progressing to severe disease, reducing admissions to hospital and ICU and potential death. The Commonwealth Government has secured access to 300,000 treatment courses of Lagevrio® and 500,000 courses of Paxlovid® for supply throughout the course of 2022, with the first deliveries of both medicines anticipated over the coming weeks. These oral antiviral treatments need a prescription and are taken every 12 hours for five days. They are designed to interfere with the virus’ ability to multiply.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has further granted provisional approval of Novavax for its COVID-19 vaccine, NUVAXOVID for primary course vaccinations. This is the first protein COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia. The Commonwealth Government has ordered 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine which will be available as a primary course vaccine, with supplies available in coming weeks following deliveries and further batch testing.
AHPPC Updated Advice on Use of Rapid Antigen Tests
National Cabinet agreed to the new AHPPC guidance on Rapid Antigen Testing for Current High Community Prevalence Environment. Rapid antigen tests are an important diagnostic tool to manage impacts on health system capacity, public health and safety, protect vulnerable Australians and minimise disruptions to daily life.
Rapid Antigen Tests are to be used for three purposes:

As a diagnostic test as an alternative to PCR for those at high risk of having COVID-19
To manage outbreaks
To help early indication of cases in high risk settings

Use of RATs to detect cases in high risk settings is recommended in residential aged and disability care settings where there is high community prevalence, healthcare settings managing very high risk patients (e.g. transplant ward, hematology unit, oncology ward, renal dialysis units) and other critical services (e.g. other parts of health care and emergency services). Rapid Antigen Tests are not routinely recommended to detect cases early for other industries, businesses and organisations.
Essential Workforce
National Cabinet considered the trucking industry’s proposals to support the freight and logistics effort including reducing the age of eligibility to apply for a forklift license, recognition of New Zealand truck driver licenses in Australia and having experience or competency based licencing for heavy vehicle driver licenses.
New Zealand and Australian driver license matters have been referred to the National Cabinet Infrastructure and Transport Reform Committee for consideration and National Cabinet agreed not to progress the industry’s proposed forklift license changes.
National Back to School Framework
State and Territory Governments will release their operational plans for schools. These plans will be in line with the National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care that were agreed and released last week.
As part of these operational plans, and based on the needs of each particular jurisdiction, State and Territory Governments will determine what level of Rapid Antigen Testing is advised in school and early childhood settings. The Commonwealth will support these arrangements through 50:50 cost sharing under the COVID-19 National Partnership Agreement.
While surveillance testing has not been recommended by AHPPC, states and territories will make their own decisions on the best approach for their circumstances. Where States and Territories elect to do surveillance testing, the Commonwealth will negotiate bilateral agreements on payments.
All of this is consistent with our shared objective to get students back to school for Term 1, to keep schools open and to ensure access for vulnerable children and the children of essential workers.
COVID-19 Related Requests for ADF Support
National Cabinet noted the revised Protocol for Defence Assistance to the Civil Community in COVID-19 (DACC) management support that the Commonwealth will apply when assessing requests for ADF support to the COVID-19 outbreak. These conditions and thresholds have been recalibrated following the changing operating environment arising from the Omicron variant of COVID-19.