The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 33,909 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 923 people have died. More than 24.8 million tests have been undertaken in Australia. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,209,935 million tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 196.5 million cases and sadly over 4.1 million deaths, with 660,253 new cases and 11,538 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 12,005,978 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including a record 210,742 in the previous 24 hours.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1,154,985 vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 39.9 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 64.6 per cent of over 50 year olds and over 78.5 per cent of over 70 year olds. More than 18.2 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are fully vaccinated including more than 25.2 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 40.5 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided a briefing on the vaccination program, which continues to expand significantly.
National Cabinet received a detailed briefing from the Director of Doherty Epidemiology, Professor Jodie McVernon on modelling of COVID-19 infections and vaccinations to define target levels of transition to Phase B and Phase C of the four step National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response, taking into account COVID-19 transmission, severity and vaccine effectiveness of the delta variant.
The modelling has informed an updated four step National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response by COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce (Taskforce), led by the Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Phil Gaetjens, and the Commonwealth Treasury economic impact analysis of COVID-19 transitions. Analysis is being coordinated with Commonwealth, state and territory Treasuries, Health Departments and First Secretaries Departments.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are registered for use in Australia and are proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and death, as well as limiting transmission.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 6 August 2021.
National Plan to Transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response
The National Cabinet agreed in-principle to an updated four-step National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response (National Plan) taking into account the Doherty Institute COVID-19 modelling and the Commonwealth Department of Treasury economic analysis.
The National Plan charts the way back.
The National Plan provides a graduated pathway to transition Australia’s COVID-19 response from its current pre-vaccination settings focused on continued suppression of community transmission, to post-vaccination settings focused on prevention of serious illness and fatalities, whereby the public health management of COVID-19 is consistent with other infectious diseases.
The National Plan sets out four phases to effectuate this transition. Each phase will be triggered by the achievement of vaccination thresholds of both the nation, and the individual state or territory expressed as a percentage of the eligible population (16+), based on the scientific and economic modelling conducted for the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce.
The updates agreed in-principle today by the National Cabinet are the Vaccination thresholds to move to Phase B and Phase C. The National Cabinet will commission further detailed modelling over the coming months to update and refine the National Plan as required.
A sub-group of National Cabinet consisting of Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory will also prepare options on how restrictions can be eased for vaccinated Australians in Phase B.
Phase A. Vaccinate, Prepare and Pilot (Current Phase)
Australia will continue to strongly suppress the virus for the purpose of minimising community transmission. Measures may include accelerating vaccination rates, closing international borders to keep COVID-19 out, and early, stringent and short lockdowns if outbreaks occur.
Phase B. Vaccination Transition Phase (~70% of adult population fully vaccinated)
In this phase, Australia will seek to minimise serious illness, hospitalisations and fatalities as a result of COVID-19 with low-level restrictions. Measures may include maintaining high vaccination rates, encouraging uptake through incentives and other measures, minimising cases in the community through ongoing low-level restrictions and effective track and trace, and with lockdowns unlikely but possible and targeted.
Phase C. Vaccination Consolidation Phase (≥80% of adult population fully vaccinated)
In Phase C, Australia will seek to minimise serious illness, hospitalisations and fatalities as a result of COVID-19 with baseline restrictions. Measures may include maximising vaccination coverage, minimum ongoing baseline restrictions adjusted to minimise cases without lockdowns, and highly targeted lockdowns only.
NSW leading the nation in skilling Australians
More than 100,000 people in NSW have taken up fee free courses since the joint Federal-State JobTrainer initiative was first introduced in October last year.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said NSW was now leading the nation in equipping people with skills after more than half of Australia’s JobTrainer enrolments hailed from NSW.
Health and individual support, community services, construction, business administration and IT have been the most popular courses across the State.
“These strong enrolment figures show how crucial reskilling and upskilling has been during this difficult period so the people of NSW can land on their feet after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Lee said.
“By investing in a skills-led recovery, the NSW Government is not only future-proofing jobs but ensuring people have the right skills to plug current shortages.
“We’ve already seen these free courses translate to employment for thousands of people and I want to thank and encourage the people of NSW who are using the lockdown period to upskill or reskill during the pandemic.”
Other key findings:
- 97% of people enrolled in a course achieved their main goal for training with the most common motivation being to get a job or progress their career.
- Highest number of enrolments (28%) were from those aged 17-24 years.
- 94.5% of people said they achieved at least one work related benefit from the training such as improved employability, expanding skills and growing or starting their business.
NSW JobTrainer courses are available for young people, job seekers and school leavers to gain vocational skills in Australia’s growing industries.
For more information and to enrol in a JobTrainer course, visit: https://bit.ly/3wWI3pz
Man charged with alleged historic sex offences – Hunter region
A former youth worker has been charged with historic sex offences across the state’s Hunter Region dating back to the 1990s.
In November 2020, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District established Strike Force Eiraban to investigate allegations of alleged child sexual offences against two teenage boys between 1990 and 2004 in Muswellbrook and Gateshead.
Following extensive inquiries, a 71-year-old man attended Belmont Police Station where he was arrested about 7.40am yesterday (Thursday 29 July 2021).
He was charged with 15 offences, including:
- Sex assault (Cat 4) incite indecent act under 16 and under authority;
- sexual intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16 years (x3);
- sexual intercourse with person 10 and under 16 years (x3);
- sexual intercourse with person 14 or over and under 16 years (x2);
- aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender; and
- supply prohibited drug (x5)
Police will allege in court that the Marks Point man formerly worked as a youth worker in the region.
He appeared at Belmont Local Court, where he was formally bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 30 July 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Eiraban are ongoing.
Man in court over alleged break-in and sexual assault – Newcastle
A man will appear in court today charged over an alleged aggravated break and enter and sexual assault in Newcastle.
About 3.20pm on Thursday (29 July 2021), a 20-year-old woman was inside her bedroom at a home on Turana Parade, North Lambton, when an unknown man, armed with a knife, entered the room and threatened her.
She attempted to yell out and alert neighbours before it’s alleged the man grabbed her and sexually assaulted her.
A short time later, the man fled on foot and the woman sought assistance from other residents, who notified police.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Oorin, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators arrested a 20-year-old man, not known to the woman, at a home on Faulkner Crescent, North Lambton, just after 4pm yesterday (Friday 30 July 2021).
Shortly after, a search warrant was executed at the home where police seized a number of items relevant to the investigation.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with four counts of aggravated sex assault-threat to inflict actual bodily harm victim with weapon, break and enter indictable offence (not steal/damage), robbery armed with offensive weapon, sexually touch another person without consent, and reckless wounding.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 31 July 2021).
Statement regarding deployment of ADF personnel
Statement from the NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller regarding the deployment of ADF personnel.
The NSW Police Force is significantly expanding its COVID-19 welfare and compliance activities in Sydney over the coming days and I have requested 300 ADF personnel to boost our operational footprint.
What this means is police officers will be assisted by ADF personnel as they deliver food parcels, conduct welfare door-knocks and go through compliance checks of stay-at-home and self-isolation orders.
This operation will be led and managed by the NSW Police Force.
The ADF will be present in a supporting role under the direction of the NSW Police Force.
The operation will be centred around the welfare of the community and ensuring that stay-at-home orders issued by NSW Health to specific individuals are observed.
ADF has provided essential assistance over the past 18 months – particularly during last year’s border operation, the ongoing hotel quarantine operation and the assistance provided with logistics support in the Police Operations Centre.
The ADF has also previously provided assistance in response to bushfires and floods.
The NSW Police Force will continue to work with the community to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone in NSW.
Housing policy failure sets up intergenerational theft
Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to the latest data on median property prices in this week’s Domain House Price Report, with Sydney’s median house price now over $1.4 million and Melbourne over $1.0 million.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Millions of people are being robbed of housing security and housing affordability. This is nothing less than intergenerational theft.
“House prices are out of control while both Liberal and Labor turn a blind eye.
“It’s an absolute outrage that Labor has dumped its commitments to wind back negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount in the same week it was revealed that house prices have reached record highs across the country.
“It’s not good enough to pass the buck on housing to the states and territories. The Commonwealth cannot abrogate its responsibility on this.
“Unfair tax rules like negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount make it easier for someone to buy their fifth investment property than a first home to live in.
“To get the housing crisis under control we need to massively increase public housing supply through record investment and wind back the tax rules that have turned the housing market into a speculator’s game.”
Record infrastructure funding and aged care boost
Senior Australians in regional and remote areas will benefit from the single largest investment in residential aged care infrastructure in Australia’s history.
A total of $150 million in capital grants has been allocated following the conclusion of the competitive 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR).
This substantial investment by the Australian Government has funded 72 infrastructure projects worth, on average, $2.1 million each.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, said the investment reflects the Morrison Government’s commitment to greater respect, care and dignity for senior Australians no matter where they live.
“Investing in aged care infrastructure means we can improve the quality and safety of residential aged care from the ground up,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Safe, secure and comfortable residential care homes, designed around the needs of residents, provide the foundation for our five-pillar, five-year aged care reform plan.”
The 2020 ACAR also includes the allocation of over 4000 residential care places and more than 1000 short-term restorative care places worth a combined $380 million a year.
Minister Colbeck said most of these new places will take effect immediately or within the next 18 months.
“I’m delighted with the response by providers that demonstrated their capacity to fast-track the delivery of quality care to senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.
“As a result, twice as many residential care places have been allocated than were made available for allocation”.
Priority locations were also a focus, with more than half of the new places allocated to areas most in need, including in regional and remote Australia.
Information about the 2020 ACAR outcomes, including details of the successful providers is available on the Australian Government Department of Health website.
Grants boost support services for vulnerable members of the community in Hamilton
City of Newcastle is continuing to support a multi-agency approach to community safety in the Hamilton area to ensure people who are vulnerable get access to important services.
More than $30,000 in Rapid Response Grants have been distributed to six community service providers and faith organisations to bolster the support being provided for people experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.
This includes funding for the following initiatives:
- Hunter Homeless Connect – boost its program offering food and clothing vouchers
- Grainery Food Bank – make non-perishables and fresh vegetables available at the food bank, increase the quantities of single-serve frozen meals already available, provide one-on-one assistance for those in need to access support services and financial counselling, and extend the opening hours of the service
- Hamilton Seven Day Adventist Food Pantry and Meal Service – increase the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and non-perishable products, extend emergency food relief, trial extended operating hours to include Friday mornings, and explore a weekly pop-up at a local community centre
- Hamilton Uniting Church – provide access to community and emergency food support through the ‘Shoebox Project’, which includes boxes of basic food and sanitary items
- Reach Homeless Services – implement a ‘breakfast pack’ program for those in need, distributed at the Suspension Café in Beaumont Street Islington.
- Establish a new partnership with the Hamilton Men’s Shed and the Hamilton BIA to trial a new community pantry service in Hamilton for a period of six months, which is expected to be operating in late 2021.
City of Newcastle is supporting a multi-agency approach along with stakeholders including NSW Police and the Department of Community and Justice Assertive Outreach (AO) regarding vulnerable people and community safety issues at Hamilton Train Station Park.
As part of the multi-agency operation, AO staff have regularly visited the park since Police commenced regular patrols, which has led to four people being housed. NSW Police has increased visibility in the area to prevent and address anti-social behaviour.
CN is responsible for safely managing the use of public land on behalf of our community. CN will continue working with those providing outreach in Hamilton Train Station Park to support the safety of vulnerable people and the broader community.
Hundreds of homeless given accommodation
More than 700 people who were sleeping rough across NSW have been helped into temporary accommodation during the lockdown to keep them safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the NSW Government has committed $22.3 million for temporary accommodation to support people sleeping rough during the latest outbreak.
“We’re ramping up assertive outreach patrols across Greater Sydney to engage with people sleeping rough and offer them temporary accommodation,” Mr Henskens said.
“While providing immediate shelter during the lockdown is important, our focus is always to provide a pathway to secure, long-term housing.
“We will be working closely with people who come into temporary accommodation to find them a home, engage them with services and support and help them stay off the streets for good.”
The recently announced expansion of Together Home will support more permanent housing solutions for people currently in temporary accommodation.
Since Together Home was established last year, more than 460 people who were sleeping rough have been helped into housing, after spending time in temporary accommodation.
Together Home involves securing homes from the private rental market and delivers intensive tailored supports to meet the complex needs of the people in the program.
The NSW Government has also committed an additional $10 million for rent assistance packages to help victims of domestic violence and young people secure or maintain housing in the private rental market.
Anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness can call Link2home on 1800 152 152. Staff are available 24-7 to provide information and referrals to services, including temporary accommodation.
New powers, new fines as police crack down on non-compliance
Enhanced police powers and tighter new rules will spearhead the enforcement response launched against the few people who refuse to do the right thing during a global pandemic.
A new high-visibility policing operation has been launched to assist the state’s health strategy to tackle the further spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.
Thousands of police officers will be deployed across Greater Sydney from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command and general duties to enforce the following new rules as well as protect the wider community from the selfish and unauthorised behaviour of a small number of individuals.
- New powers have been granted to the NSW Police Commissioner to shut down businesses, construction sites and public premises where there is a risk to public health; and
- The penalty for not wearing a mask where required will be increased from $200 to $500.
From 12.01am on Friday, 30 July 2021, residents of the eight Local Government Areas of concern (Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta) will be subject to new exercise, mask and shopping rules. These rules will only be applied to any LGA that is determined to be of concern now and into the future:
- Exercise, outdoor recreation and singles bubble visits must be done within 5kms of the person’s home;
- Individuals cannot travel more than 5kms from home for shopping, unless the goods or services are not readily available in that area; and
- Masks must be worn at all times outside the home regardless of proximity to others.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new restrictions follow a call from the vast majority in the community who are doing the right thing by complying with the Public Health Orders.
“The time for warnings is over. I know 99 per cent of the population are furious with the minority who continue to disregard the health orders and put the safety and livelihoods of families at risk,” Mr Elliott said.
“Crime Stoppers received more than 15,000 calls and reports providing information following last weekend’s illegal protest. Police made it clear from the start, they want to educate – not fine – members of the community but the 15,000 calls to Crime Stoppers is a clear message to the Government that the community expects action.
“If we all work together, these new rules have the potential to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.”
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM said police will significantly ramp up compliance activities with officers performing an extra 1000 shifts throughout the next week.
“These officers will be out in force across the Greater Sydney footprint conducting high-visibility proactive patrols and compliance checks, and responding to all Crime Stoppers reports,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“The stronger powers and police presence are about getting us out of lockdown sooner.”
For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
To report individuals or businesses in contravention of a public health order visit http://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au