New requirements starting today for aged care providers will better protect older Australians.
Launched today, The Morrison Government has invested $67.2 million to implement the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) which offers greater security and peace-of-mind for Australians in residential care settings and their families.
Under the scheme, residential aged care providers are required to manage all incidents of abuse or neglect, with a focus on the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life and reduce preventable incidents from reoccurring.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services said it was another step forward as the Morrison Government drives generational change of the sector.
“The Australian Government has never been more committed to keeping older Australians safe and supporting the dedicated staff who assist them,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Any mistreatment or assault of a care recipient is unacceptable and it is important that these incidents are managed and prevented from occurring in future.
“Today’s launch of the SIRS is a vitally important step to usher in a new era of aged care in this country – building an aged care system that puts people at its heart, and reassures families that their loved ones are safe and secure.”
From today, providers must implement and maintain an incident management system to identify, record, manage and resolve all incidents.
The scheme builds on the previous compulsory reporting and expands the range of incidents that must be reported to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
This includes unreasonable use of force, unlawful sexual contact and sexual misconduct, neglect, psychological or emotional abuse, stealing or financial coercion by a staff member, inappropriate use of restraint, unexplained absences and unexpected death.
Significantly, resident-on-resident incidents caused by someone with an assessed cognitive impairment will no longer be exempt from reporting. Lifting the exemption is in line with the recommendations in the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, which oversees the Serious Incident Response Scheme, will also have stronger powers to hold providers to account and insist on improvements.
A prevalence and feasibility study to inform the possible expansion of the scheme is due to report by 30 June 2021.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 venues announced
Cities across Australia have received a significant boost after being announced as host venues for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The major tournament is being held in Australia for the first time and will be co-hosted with New Zealand.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck said after a challenging year, this would be a win for communities across Australia, as we recover from a health and economic crisis.
The host cities and venues include:
- Brisbane – Brisbane Stadium
- Sydney – Stadium Australia and Sydney Football Stadium
- Melbourne – Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
- Adelaide – Hindmarsh Stadium
- Perth – Perth Rectangular Stadium
Minister Payne said hosting the matches in each centre would shine a light on women’s sport.
“The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will strengthen our already solid reputations as world leaders in women’s sport,” Minister Payne said.
“It will be a platform to inspire girls across Australia,” she said. “They will learn that with courage, focus and determination, they can reach any goal in sport or in life.
“That’s an important message and Australia will be delivering it to the world.”
The competition will champion the further development of women’s football in both our countries, the Asia-Pacific region and globally, creating a profound and enduring legacy for the women’s game, Minister Payne said.
The Australian Government provided $5 million to Football Federation Australia (FFA) over three years from 2016-17 to develop the joint bid “As One” with New Zealand Football.
It will be the largest FIFA Women’s World Cup in history, with FIFA expanding it from 24 to 32 teams.
Minister Colbeck said each city and regional centre would reap the benefits as FIFA hosts.
“The benefits of tourism and the injection into local economies should not be understated,” Minister Colbeck said.
“We have already witnessed the capacity of both nations to host world-class sporting events and this will now showcase Australia’s regional centres like never before.
“Witnessing the world’s best female footballers play and train in local regions is also likely to result in a significant surge in interest in local competition and that is something to celebrate.”
Minister Colbeck said the Federal Government’s support for the event aligns with both health and sports initiatives under the national sport plan – Sport 2030 – to inspire girls and women to participate in sport and increase their physical activity.
Sport 2030 has a key focus on improving attitudes towards gender equality in sport.
“Hosting the Women’s World Cup will showcase improving attitudes towards gender equality in sport and strengthen Australia’s reputation as a world leader in promoting women’s sport and as a premier host of major international sporting events.”
The past two years have seen landmark achievements in Australia for women in sport, including football, with improved pay and conditions and record crowds turning out to support our female athletes.
Man critical following assault – Maitland
Police are investigating following a serious assault in Maitland overnight.
About 10.40pm (Wednesday 31 March 2021), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to Anne Street, East Maitland, after reports a man had been found lying in the middle of the road.
Upon arrival, police located a 51-year-old man with serious injuries to his head, face and back.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Police established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into how the man sustained his injuries.
As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious between 9pm and 10.40pm in the nearby area or that may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police investigate suspected hit and run – Wallsend
Police remain at the scene of a suspected hit and run in Newcastle this morning.
About 5.45am (Thursday 1 April 2021), emergency services were called to Douglas Street, Wallsend, after reports a motorcyclist had been knocked from his bike.
The rider – a man aged in his late teens – was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital; he is reportedly in a serious condition.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and police from the Crash Investigation Unit have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for members of the public to keep a look out for a black SUV vehicle with significant damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle.
Anyone who may have seen the vehicle or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police.
Man wanted on outstanding warrant – Hunter region
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on a revocation of parole warrant.
Kalib Toko, aged 21, is wanted on a revocation of parole warrant for an assault offence.
Officers attached to the Northern Region have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
He is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, between 190cm to 195cm tall, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.
He is known to frequent Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Western Sydney.
Anyone who sees Kalib or knows of his whereabouts is urged not to approach him but call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
City calls on the community to shape 2040 vision
The services and facilities required in 2040 are being explored as City of Newcastle prepares a new Community Strategic Plan on behalf of the community.
The new Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2040, is the city’s contract between the community and City of Newcastle. It is important that residents, ratepayers, businesses and community groups from across Newcastle work with the City in planning for the next decade and beyond.
Over the coming months, the City will lead face-to-face and online engagement asking the community to consider what they want Newcastle to look like in 2040.
Newcastle 2040 will be used by the City to develop its investment priorities, whether it be how much to spend building footpaths through to the types of festivals the City hosts and attracts.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that Newcastle 2040 will reflect the community’s values and will guide the City’s project delivery plans and annual budgets.
“Now is the time for the community to have their say in developing a blueprint for the future of our city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Everyone is encouraged to give feedback, from large and small business operators, not-for-profit organisations, parents, newly arrived citizens and university students.
“While City of Newcastle takes the lead role in driving the city towards our shared vision, we all play a part in making Newcastle a place we love now and into the future.
“It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible from all areas of Newcastle so that the priorities we identify match the future everyone in our community wants.
“Newcastle 2040 will define the community’s vision for Newcastle and we’ll look to it for everything we deliver, at every stage, from planning through to investment.”
The City’s current Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2030, was developed in 2010, a time when the iPhone 4 was the latest technology, and Eminem was on the top of Australia’s music charts. A lot has changed and there are new and emerging megatrends that must be considered.
City of Newcastle looks forward to listening and learning from the community and have already received ideas from school students at Callaghan College Waratah.
Engagement opportunities will be hosted in a range of locations over the coming months including various community events and throughout Youth Week (16-24 April).
To stay up-to-date with opportunities for community feedback, visit City of Newcastle’s Have Your Say page, and share your ideas on the digital vision wall.
Streets are shared spaces in Newcastle
Newcastle’s identity as a cycling friendly city continues to evolve with construction scheduled to commence mid-year on a cycling path along Hunter Street in the city’s west end.
The construction is in addition to the new cycleway bypass at Queens Wharf which was also funded by NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces initiative.
The Hunter Street West End Cycleway received $525,000 and will trial a range of features between National Park Street and Worth Place, including two single direction cycleways which will be considered as an option in the City Centre Revitalisation West End Stage Two development.
The Hunter Street West End Cycleway follows the successful completion of the Queens Wharf Cycleway Bypass last month, which received $100,000 in funding from the program and provides cyclists with a safe 3m wide shared pathway one block behind the high-traffic main street to provide safe access through the area.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said funding support for projects like these allows cycling to play an important role within Newcastle’s transport mix.
“Cycling is a genuine transport option for families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is essential and why it stands as one of the City’s priority projects.
“The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has allowed us to trial a solution that makes it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get around the Queens Wharf precinct and the Hunter Street cycleway trial will provide connections to several key north and south links, which will enhance Newcastle’s inner-city cycleway network.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said he was glad to see new cycleway infrastructure in Newcastle.
“Active transport is something I am passionate about and it’s wonderful to see City of Newcastle using our Streets as Shared Spaces funding to create these types of public spaces,” Mr Stokes said.
“The $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program was designed to enable the creation of safe and enjoyable public spaces in the wake of the pandemic and will make a positive difference to our cities and suburbs for years to come.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said quality cycling and transport infrastructure would benefit residents and visitors to Newcastle.
“Creating safer ways for cyclists to get around our city will ensure that people who want to use active transport are able to,” Mr Martin said.
The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has provided funding to 48 projects across the state and encourages new and improved pedestrian and active transport links.
Works on the Hunter Street West End Cycleway trial are scheduled to start in mid-2021 and take several months to complete. To follow its progress visit our Works page.
Man missing from Newcastle located
A man missing from Newcastle has been located safe and well tonight.
The 71-year-old man had not been seen since about 5.30pm today (Wednesday 31 March 2021), when he was observed walking west on Wharf Road, Newcastle.
Following inquiries from Newcastle City Police District, the man was found safe and well on Darby Street at about 9.30pm.
Police would like to thank the community and the media for their assistance.
Queensland pays the price for Morrison’s flawed vaccine rollout
The Greens have laid the blame for Brisbane’s three-day COVID lockdown at the Morrison government’s door, saying its failure to ensure all frontline healthcare workers are vaccinated has triggered a necessary public health response that will damage already struggling businesses and force more workers into unemployment.
The more than 130,000 people currently receiving JobSeeker in Brisbane will have their safety net slashed to below the poverty line on Thursday after the Coalition and Labor refused to support the Greens’ proposal for an $80 a day payment.
Queensland Senator and Greens leader in the Senate Larissa Waters said:
“The people of Brisbane and Queensland can thank the Morrison government for this lockdown.
“The PM promised us that four million Australians would be vaccinated by early April. But with two days until April less than 15% of that number – 550,000 people – have received a dose. In Queensland that number is only 65,000.
“The PM must explain why there are still unvaccinated frontline healthcare workers treating COVID patients in Queensland hospitals.
“Not only has this government failed the people of Queensland and Australia with its flawed vaccine rollout, it’s abandoned businesses and workers by pulling away the safety nets that have allowed hundreds of thousands to remain employed and kept millions above the poverty line.
“By ending JobKeeper the government consigned 150,000 to unemployment nationally, right at the time when the JobSeeker unemployment benefit is being slashed to $43.57 a day. The Brisbane lockdown will guarantee that more people will be forced out of work and into poverty.
“It’s unconscionable that this government can leave thousands of businesses and millions of workers to fend for themselves knowing full well that their failure to bring COVID under control leaves them vulnerable.”
New lights to boost cricket and AFL numbers at Marrara
The Morrison Government is helping deliver more sporting opportunities for Northern Territory clubs with Darwin’s first night cricket venue now ready for competition.
The installation of new light towers at Marrara’s TIO Stadium is expected to significantly boost participation in cricket and AFL competitions, allowing night matches and training across all levels.
The Federal Government contributed $500,000 to the $1.54 million project as part of its Community Sport Infrastructure grant program.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the upgrade will provide increased opportunities for cricketers to train and play.
“Installing lighting at the venue not only allows players to escape the heat and humidity in the north but will support female and junior participation in social and competitive cricket”, Minister Colbeck said.
Lighting the oval will support game and training fixtures and open up new timeslots to accommodate junior and women’s games during the week, increasing participation and helping to attract and retain players.
The installation of floodlights will also benefit AFL who use the facility to train and play during the football season, resulting in almost full-time use of the facility year-round. The lighting can also be adjusted to accommodate various sports, training, general event lighting and senior cricket matches.
Senator for the Northern Territory Dr Sam McMahon said in addition to increasing grassroots participation in sport, it’s also hoped the new lighting will see the Marrara cricket ground attract teams and host further domestic and international matches in Darwin.
“This is a wonderful facility for NT Cricket and the wider Darwin community, and it has taken a real team effort to deliver this project, bringing together the support of the Australian Government and Northern Territory Government,” Senator McMahon said.
Minister Colbeck said the Australian Government’s $100 million Community Sport Infrastructure grant program is a valuable investment in building community spirit and pride.
“This program is not just about building better sporting facilities, it is about building stronger, healthier communities by promoting physical activity, social connection, and economic vitality.”