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$90 million to help Australians live longer and healthier lives

The Morrison Government is opening two medical research grant rounds, worth $90 million to help accelerate Australian-led genomics and cardiovascular research, which will improve and save lives.
The grants are available through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and focus on two of the Fund’s key initiatives – the Genomics Health Futures Mission ($56 million) and the Cardiovascular Health Mission ($34 million).
The Genomics Health Futures Mission aims to fund research to integrate genomics knowledge and technology into clinical practice, and the Cardiovascular Health Mission aims to reduce the toll of Australia’s number one killer, cardiovascular disease.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said Australia was taking a lead role in improving and saving lives—through better detection, prediction and treatment, and better long-term recovery from acute events.
“The goal of the Genomics Health Futures Mission is to save or transform the lives of more than 200,000 Australians through genomic research by delivering better testing, diagnosis and treatment,” Minister Hunt said.
“Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of premature death, disability and avoidable hospital admissions, costing more than $10.4 billion each year in direct health care costs. The Cardiovascular Health Mission will help mobilise research, encouraging collaboration and enabling translation of research findings into clinical practice.
“Both of these research grants will accelerate Australian-led research and help improve the lives of all Australians.”
The Cardiovascular Health Mission has $34 million available over three years from 2021–22 through five priority areas identified in the implementation plan:

Stream 1 – up to $8 million: to improve understanding of cardiovascular disease risk, including biological mechanisms
Stream 2 – up to $6 million: to help patients to adopt and maintain health interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke
Stream 3 – up to $8 million: to give patients more equitable access to best care, including new technologies, devices, and biomarkers; and new ways to target interventions to particular groups
Stream 4 – up to $6 million: personalised, lifelong care approaches for patients who have had a stroke or heart event, to prevent further attacks
Stream 5 – up to $6 million: understanding the biology of recovery, leading to new treatments and better monitoring of patients’ health.

The Genomics Health Futures Mission has up to $56 million available over two years from 2021–22 through six streams to support Australian medical research and medical innovation projects:

Stream 1 – up to $20 million: develop disease-agnostic, high throughput and scalable functional genomics platforms to increase the diagnostic rate of unresolved cases and accelerate the development of experimental therapeutics
Stream 2 – up to $12 million: develop new models of genomic newborn screening
Stream 3 – up to $5 million: through a competitively selected national consortium, conduct research addressing emerging ethical, legal and social issues associated with the governance of clinical and genomic datasets
Stream 4 – up to $5 million: through a competitively selected national consortium, conduct research to develop effective approaches for responsible, culturally appropriate and nationally consistent involvement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in genomics research and clinical practice
Stream 5 – up to $10 million: through a competitively selected national consortium, conduct research to enrich genomics databases to support the inclusion of culturally and linguistically diverse groups in genomics research, and equitable benefit from genomics in health
Stream 6 – up to $4 million: conduct small-scale development projects to establish feasible, evidence-based approaches for population cohort research, focusing on culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

More information on the grants can be found at www.grants.gov.au. Further details about each Mission: Genomics Health Futures Mission | Cardiovascular Health Mission
The Morrison Government’s $20 billion MRFF, is a long-term, sustainable investment in Australian health and medical research, helping to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to the sustainability of the health system.

New phone app to support children’s mental health and wellbeing

The Morrison Government is today launching a new, free phone application with information, ideas and guidance for parents to help them provide additional support their child’s mental health and wellbeing.
The Raising Healthy Children App was developed by the Raising Children Network as part of its program to support parents’ mental health literacy by building knowledge and confidence concerning the social and emotional wellbeing of children. The Morrison Government is providing $1.5 million over three years to help fund the program.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young Australians is a high priority for the Government.
“Each year, more than 300,000 Australian children experience a mental health disorder, and diagnosis and treatment at an early stage is important because it can reduce the length and severity of the problem,” Minister Hunt said.
“Parents can play a crucial role in early diagnosis and this new app will give parents and carers the confidence to recognise early signs of social or emotional problems and help them to seek support if it’s needed.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the app was targeted towards parents with children aged 12 years and under and includes information on health, development and wellbeing based on the child’s age.
“The app also includes information and support for parents and carers to ensure they are looking after their own mental health and wellbeing,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on the mental health and wellbeing of young children and their parents, and this app is a resource families can use to recognise warning signs and seek support.”
The app complements existing dedicated online mental health and wellbeing resources available for all parents and carers on the Raising Children Network’s website and can be downloaded from the usual app stores on mobile phones.
In August 2019, the Morrison Government asked the National Mental Health Commission to develop a new National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy as part of the Government’s Long Term National Health Plan.
The strategy has been informed by a steering committee and expert advisory group and is due to be finalised this month.
The 2021-22 Budget invests a record $2.3 billion in reformed mental health care, through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. This includes a number of initiatives for children and young people including:

$54.2 million to create new Head to Health Kids mental health and wellbeing centres for children up to 12 years, in partnership with the state and territory governments;
$42.3 million to support access to parenting education and support, to build parenting strategies and help parents to identify problem behaviours early; and
$26.8 million to support Kids Helpline and meet the increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australians looking for support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service anytime via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.
Anyone experiencing distress can 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.
If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

CN and Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation agree on $10 million contribution to long-awaited expansion

Councillors will consider a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the City of Newcastle and the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation at tonight’s Council meeting, which outlines the organisations’ shared commitment to the expansion project and the future of the cultural landmark.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the MoU was another milestone on the road towards the $35.6 million expansion of the Gallery, which would double its size and allow significantly more of its collection to be displayed to the public each year.
“Since being established in 1977, the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation has played a valuable role in supporting the Gallery and the growth of its collection, having contributed to the acquisition of more than 335 art works,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Its members are passionate about the future of the Gallery and are dedicated to increasing access to the 7,000 works it holds.
“City of Newcastle’s planned expansion project will achieve this aim, providing an additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space including dedicated areas for the Gallery’s collection on the lower level, while the upper level will cater for a variety of travelling exhibitions, including international shows.
“City of Newcastle has committed a further to $12.6 million towards the project, while the Foundation has pledged $10 million. The MoU also includes a commitment by the Foundation to raise an additional $2.5 million through fundraising towards the expansion of the Gallery.
“As this revised Memorandum of Understanding affirms, we will continue to work together to ensure our shared dream for the Gallery becomes a reality.”

Members of the Foundation’s Board unanimously endorsed the revised MoU at a meeting last week, and Cr Nelmes said she hoped this would be followed by a similar show of unanimous support from Councillors this evening.
The MoU recognises the historical and cultural importance of the Gallery as custodian of the most valuable art collection in regional Australia, which presents a comprehensive overview of Australian art from colonial times to the present day and is worth $115 million.
It also acknowledges the work undertaken by City of Newcastle and the Foundation to preserve and promote the Gallery and reaffirms the Foundation’s commitment to support and protect it for the enjoyment of future generations.
Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with City of Newcastle will underpin further efforts to support the Gallery’s expansion.
“The Foundation is proud to contribute $10 million to the gallery expansion, made possible through generous contributions from the community and supporters over many years,” Ms Galwey said.
“The MoU between the City of Newcastle and the Foundation also provides certainty and assurance to future donors before committing contributions to the project.
“The MoU outlines how the major funding partners will work together, as well as the Foundation’s aspiration to raise an additional $2.5 million. By aligning this target with the City’s commitment, the Foundation is in a strong position to approach existing and new donors to secure the remaining funds needed to complete the expanded gallery.
“The MoU with the City will both guide and bolster our ongoing efforts to demonstrate how important Newcastle Art Gallery is to the community.”
The City of Newcastle is awaiting a determination from the Federal Government in regard to an application for $10 million in funding towards the project from its Recovering Regions program, which would allow the expansion to immediately commence.

World first scheme to cut peak energy use and save $1.2 billion

Consumer savings are at the heart of a world-first energy efficiency scheme, that will provide households and businesses in NSW with discounts if they buy or install equipment that uses less energy during peak times.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme is expected to save consumers $1.2 billion on their energy bills between 2022 and 2040.
“By reducing peak demand we can supply power to everyone who needs it, when they need it, at a lower cost,” Mr Kean said.
“We are also investing $25 million in the scheme to support the development of emerging technologies and software that allow households and businesses to use power when it is cheap and abundant.”
The scheme, due to commence in time for the 2022-23 summer, will provide discounts to consumers who install more efficient appliances that operate more during off-peak periods when electricity is cheap, like smart pool pumps or household batteries.
Energy retailers and large energy users then buy peak reduction credits from the local businesses that install the appliances to meet their energy savings targets.
“There are so many easy ways to reduce our peak consumption without impacting our way of life,” Mr Kean said.
“If all the backyard pool pumps and filters across NSW were used outside of peak periods, we could save up to 450 MW – that’s more than the capacity of a generating unit at the Liddell Power Station.”
More fuel switching activities will also be added to the existing Energy Savings Scheme. This will include incentives for households to switch to solar and heat-pump hot water systems, and for businesses to replace gas, diesel or grid supplied electricity with renewable energy technologies like a biogas boiler.
For more detail on the scheme and the Energy Security Safeguard position paper, visit: https://energy.nsw.gov.au/government-and-regulation/energy-savings-scheme

Securing greater Sydney water supply to be engine room for economic growth

The NSW Government has today launched the draft Greater Sydney Water Strategy, an unprecedented 20-year roadmap to providing a safe, secure and sustainable water supply for Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the Strategy, now on public exhibition, will guide water management to 2040 to support economic growth, meet the needs of the growing population and prepare for our changing climate.
“A secure water supply is vital and this plan ensures we are able to support economic growth as we recover from the pandemic and set the foundations for the future,” Mrs Pavey said.
“We need to plan now for how our growing city and region will use water wisely as Sydney’s population is set to grow to 7.1 million by 2041.
“During the most recent drought, our dam levels depleted faster than we’ve experienced since records began – at a rate of 20 per cent per year.
“Thankfully our dams are now full, but we need to act decisively to secure sustainable water for the long-term – by exploring options for new water sources not dependent on rainfall, by conserving more, and by doing more with less.”
Options for consultation in the draft Strategy include:

Improving water recycling, leakage management and water efficiency programs, which could result in water savings of up to 49 gigalitres a year by 2040.
Extending a water savings program, which has been piloted in over 1000 households and delivered around 20 per cent reduction in water use per household and almost $190 in savings per year for household water bills.
Consideration of running the Sydney Desalination Plant full-time to add an extra 20 gigalitres of water per year.
Expanding or building new desalination plants to be less dependent on rainfall.
Investigating innovations in recycled water to improve sustainability.
Making greater use of stormwater and recycled water to cool and green the city and support recreational activities.

The draft Strategy also proposes improvements to the decision making process for water restrictions to better reflect prevailing conditions and forecasting.
“Instead of having inflexible trigger points, decision makers will use a new holistic approach to consider things like rainfall events, inflows to dams and dam depletion rates, water demand and weather forecasts,” Mrs Pavey said.
“The draft Greater Sydney Water Strategy is a critical part of the NSW Government’s plan to grow the NSW economy and I encourage the community and industry to have their say.”
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will hold public webinars and information sessions during September and October.
The draft Greater Sydney Water Strategy will be on display until November 8, 2021. To read the Strategy and provide feedback visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/greater-sydney-water-strategy.

Man charged with manslaughter over 2005 death of Singleton toddler

Detectives investigating the death of a toddler more than 15 years ago in the state’s Hunter Region have charged a man with manslaughter.
Jordan William Thompson was 21 months old when his mum, Bernice Swales, went to run some errands, leaving him in the care of her then partner during the afternoon of Thursday 19 March 2005.
When she returned home, Jordan was unresponsive. She rushed him across the road to Singleton Base Hospital, but he could not be revived.
Police were told Jordan had been found face down in the bathtub; however, a post-mortem later found high levels of a prescription medication used to treat depression in his system.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad established Strike Force Kyeama to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jordan’s death.
A Coronial Inquest commenced in 2008 and resumed in 2015, with Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott finding in 2018 that Jordan died because he had been deliberately administered anti-depressant medication.
Following further extensive investigations, and a NSW Government $100,000 reward for information, Strike Force Kyeama detectives arrested a 49-year-old man at a home at Doonside about 5pm today (Monday 27 September 2021).
He was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with manslaughter.
The Singleton man was refused bail and is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 28 September 2021).

Man charged over historical sexual, physical abuse of teenage girl – Child Abuse & Sex Crimes Squad

Detectives have charged a man over his alleged role in the historical sexual and physical abuse of a teenage girl in the state’s Hunter region.
In January 2021, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad established Strike Force Baria to investigate the alleged kidnapping, sexual and physical assault of a teenage girl between April 2016 and December 2018 by people known to her.
Strike force detectives have already charged two men – aged 38 and 43 – as well as a 60-year-old woman, for their alleged roles in the abuse of the teenage girl. They remain before the courts.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 61-year-old man at a home in Muswellbrook about 4pm yesterday (Monday 27 September 2021).
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with 16 sexual and physical violence-related offences.
They include;

Indecent assault person under 16 years of age,
cause child older than 14 and below 18 to do act of child prostitution,
have sexual intercourse with person older than 14 and younger than 16 years (x2),
assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV) (x2),
attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm (domestic) (x3),
common assault (DV) (x5),
take etc in company with intent get advantage occasion actual bodily harm (DV), and,
kidnap with intent commit serious indictable off occasion actual bodily harm (DV)

Police will allege in court the man sexually and physically assaulted a 19-year-old woman – then aged between 13 and 16-years-old – on numerous occasions between 2016 and 2018.
He was refused bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 28 September 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Baria are continuing.

PM’s COAG bill a slippery slope to increased executive power

The Greens say evidence presented at today’s inquiry into the government’s COAG Legislation Amendment Bill shows just how far the PM has strayed from legal, constitutional and democratic norms.
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
“After today’s hearing no one can be left in any doubt about just how anti-democratic and dangerous the government’s attempt to shield National Cabinet from scrutiny really is.
“All the expert witnesses agree that this Bill would undermine the rule of law, increase secrecy, erode accountability and open the door to increased executive powers. That should be something that worries all Australians.
“The Morrison Government is the most secretive government in history. They eagerly relied on cabinet secrecy to hide information about Covid decisions, the ‘gas-led recovery’ and the women’s safety taskforce.
“This Bill is a blatant attempt to prevent proper scrutiny of the government’s abysmal vaccination rollout, its shambles of a national quarantine program, and its pandering to fossil fuel donors.
“The government has offered no compelling policy rationale for a Bill that offers complete, unfettered secrecy to a wide range of decisions affecting us all. It is impossible to reconcile this Bill with the PM’s statements on the international stage about Australia’s commitment to open government.
“As the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission said today, this Bill gets the balance wrong. Trust in government is vital, particularly in emergency situations, yet this government seems determined to undermine public trust at every turn.
“The PM continues to do all he can to duck transparency and accountability. His war on transparency and accountability has to end.
“The Greens will be voting against this Bill and we urge Labor to join us.”

New milk bank ensures the best start for premature babies in Queensland

Premature babies across Queensland will get live-saving access to breast milk, with a new Australian Government-funded milk bank opening in Brisbane to supply donor human milk to hospitals across the state.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said human milk was proven to lead to better health outcomes for premature and sick babies who couldn’t breastfeed.
“Without breast milk, premature babies spend longer in hospital and are at greater risk of infection and sepsis,” Minister Hunt said.
“They are also at great risk of contracting necrotising enterocolitis, a disease that has a tragically high mortality rate.
“Human milk banks collect, screen, process, and distribute donated human milk as a better alternative to infant formula for premature babies. It is estimated that the demand for human donor milk for premature babies is around 7,600 litres per year across the country.”
As part of the 2019–20 Budget, the Australian Government provided $2.0 million to Lifeblood to expand its coordinated network of donor human milk banks.
Federal Member for Brisbane, Trevor Evans, welcomed the opening of the milk bank and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s commitment to Queensland infants.
“Lifeblood – in collaboration with the Queensland Milk Bank – has established the facility six months ahead of schedule,” Mr Evans said.
“Babies across a network of 19 Queensland hospitals are already receiving life giving human milk that is protecting their wellbeing.
“But that is only one part of the important work of the milk bank. The new Brisbane facility will also allow our leading scientists to undertake innovative research into new therapeutic applications using the bioactive compounds in milk.
“This work will develop new products to help premature and sick babies thrive.”
Lifeblood now supplies pasteurised donor human milk to 30 hospitals across four states. With funding provided by the Australian Government, Lifeblood is on track to deliver the goal that – within the next 18 months – all premature babies in Australian Neonatal Intensive Care Units requiring donor human milk have access.

Teach NSW calling for the world's best teachers

Overseas and interstate STEM teachers will be the target of a new campaign to boost teacher numbers in NSW public schools.
The NSW Government will spend $13.5 million on a program to bring more than 500 qualified STEM teachers from other countries and states into NSW classrooms.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the plan to recruit ‘standout’ international and interstate teachers is part of a broader strategy to boost and sustain a high quality teaching workforce.
“There are more than 91,000 teachers employed in NSW public schools, and we are opening the door to even more expert teachers looking to teach in our great system,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Our education system is amongst the largest in the world, and I am confident that by opening the door to more high-quality teachers from other jurisdictions, we will also become amongst the highest performing in the world.”
This initiative builds upon the NSW Government’s recently announced new employment-based pathways into teaching, and will further increase our supply of great teachers. It is also aligned with the Productivity Commission’s White Paper recommendation to leverage the status of NSW and entice great teachers to work here so we can continue to improve our education system.
“NSW is an incredible place to live and work – attracting the best teachers from around the world will help turbocharge our recovery from the pandemic by ensuring our students have access to more high quality teachers,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Our state boasts the biggest education system in the southern hemisphere and we should be using that position to attract the best teachers from around the country and the world to help our students get ahead.”
The overseas focus will be on countries whose teachers have high potential to succeed in the NSW public school system, such as Canada and the UK.
Under the initiative, 460 teachers will be recruited between 2022-23, and 100 in 2023-24.
Working alongside other agencies, including the Commonwealth Government, the Department of Education will help successful recruits with relocation and other support including Australian border control measures, quarantine and visa requirements.
This initiative forms part of the NSW Government’s new Teacher Supply Strategy, due for release soon.