An extra $135 million to help Australia’s creative sector rise

The Morrison Government will inject an additional $135 million to support thousands of jobs in the arts and entertainment sector, as it continues to come back from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Government will provide a further $125 million, available until 31 December 2021, into the already successful Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund. This funding will support around 230 projects and up to 90,000 jobs and builds on an original commitment of $75 million. RISE funding is provided to arts businesses and organisations as competitive project grants towards the cost of putting on activities such as festivals, concerts, tours, productions and events.
The Government will also provide a further $10 million to the charity Support Act in 2020-21, to assist with its vital work in providing crisis support to artists and other workers across the creative sector. This is in addition to the $10 million directed to Support Act by the Morrison Government last April.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said RISE is helping to drive the creative economy resurgence, as venues reopen and performances are booked in.
“Our focus has turned to stimulating activity so the work opportunities can flow,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This new funding comes at an important stage in the resurgence of Australia’s arts and entertainment sector. The purpose of the RISE program is to get shows put on, bringing employment to performers, crews and front-of-house staff.”
The Government will also update the RISE program’s guidelines to:

  • Make it easier for multiple businesses and organisations to access the program to put on a show, including pre-production support. For example, it is common in the music industry that a promoter works with an artist, their manager, a sound and lighting provider and various other parties in the lead-up to a concert or tour.
  • Encourage projects from as low as $25,000.

The Government will consult on the wording of these changes before finalising them.
The boost to the RISE program builds on the Government’s investment of almost $800 million in additional arts and entertainment funding announced in 2020, on top of an investment of around $750 million in annual funding, more than $730 million provided to the Creative and Performing Arts subdivision of industry through JobKeeper, and about $119 million provided in cash flow payments to Creative and Performing Arts organisations.
For more information about COVID-19 and arts support visit: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update.

Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine rollout is underway: indigenous people 55 and over, roll up your sleeves

As of this week around 87,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 or older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in phase 1B of the national rollout strategy.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP today made time to attend Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service to receive his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We have done a remarkable job so far in the fight against the COVID-19 virus, we cannot now become complacent,” Minister Wyatt said. “Vaccines are an important tool in our strategy and I urge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to come forward and get vaccinated when they are able to. It will help protect themselves, their family and their community.”
There are 32 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services around the country who will begin providing COVID-19 vaccinations this week. The number of participating services and delivery sites will increase each week; building to around 100 services for around 300 sites in remote, rural and urban communities. People can also get their vaccination from general practices, commonwealth vaccination clinics (previously known as GP-led respiratory clinics). Pharmacies will begin vaccinations later in the rollout.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advised the Australian Government to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccination in Australia based on evidence on who would be most affected if they contracted COVID-19.
“Our people have a higher risk of getting and developing serious outcomes from communicable diseases due to a number of factors including having a high rate of underlying chronic health conditions and in some cases crowded-living conditions, which increases the risk of transmission,” Minister Wyatt said.
“It’s normal to have questions or concerns, and possibly feel hesitant about getting a vaccine. I encourage all of you to listen to your local community controlled health organisation as a trusted source” he added.
The Department of Health also provides evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines on health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines-is-it-true.
One of the reasons Australia has been so successful in preventing COVID-19 in reaching remote and Indigenous communities and causing serious illness, like it has overseas, is the quick response and hard work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, leaders and health services.
Every Australian will have the opportunity to be vaccinated over the coming months and we thank every Australian for their patience. There are more than six million Australians in phase 1B, and not everyone will be able to be vaccinated immediately. No-one will miss out, whether they live in a city or country town or a very remote area.
To see if you are eligible and find your local service to make an appointment, you can use the eligibility checker at covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility or you can also contact your health service or general practitioner directly.
The Australian Government continues working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and state and territory governments in all aspects of the National Response to COVID-19, including in the roll-out of the vaccine program to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia.
For more: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/getting-vaccinated-for-covid-19/information-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples-about-covid-19-vaccines

$2.4 million makeover for Kotara unveiled

City of Newcastle has completed a $2.4 million upgrade of Joslin Street, Kotara with a safe and welcoming new public space created at the heart of the renewal.
The upgrade saw the replacement of drainage infrastructure, footpaths and road surfaces, installation of new street furniture and street planting, alongside pedestrian safety improvements including a pedestrian refuge to enable a safer crossing between Rae Crescent and the busy local shopping area.
The public open space at the corner of Joslin Street and Rae Crescent features a playful sandstone stack, stepping logs for children to explore and relax, seating areas, a drinking fountain and a dog drinking bowl.
The space was unveiled by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who encouraged the local community to visit the space and the nearby local businesses.
“When we spoke to the community about upgrading this busy local centre we heard of the desire for a safer, more vibrant space to gather and shop,” the Lord Mayor said.
“With $2.4 million invested to completely overhaul the entire local centre, we’ve delivered a more modern and safe public space for local residents and visitors to Kotara.”
“We’re particularly proud of the new, innovative open space which is a great place to catch up with friends over a coffee or bite to eat from the fantastic local businesses.”
The Lord Mayor said that the local community had significantly shaped the new public spaces by providing the City with invaluable feedback through detailed community consultation.
“Input from the community and local business-owners has been critical in making these improvements to the area, which we hope will benefit the Kotara community both now and into the future.”
Sami Mamalis, owner of Joslin Street’s Schnitty City said the project has improved safety in the area, and that locals are enjoying the new space.
“This is great for Joslin Street, it’s good to see people using the space and it gives our customers and visitors somewhere to sit and enjoy the area.”
Future plans for the space include a collaboration with nearby Kotara South Public School to gather themes and ideas for the decoration of an interactive artwork to be installed in the public open space – bringing a climbable caterpillar sculpture to life with colour and character created by local school children.
“We want the community to interact with the new space and key to this is ensuring that local children from Kotara South Public School will get to see their ideas and designs for the new interactive public art come to life,” the Lord Mayor said.
The Joslin Street upgrade was delivered under the City’s Local Centres program, which is delivering upgrades to suburban centres across the local government area including the recently commenced upgrade of Mitchell Street, Stockton, and upgrades due for delivery later this year at Shortland and at James Street Plaza, Hamilton.

NSW PUMPS-UP THE VOLUME WITH PACKAGE TO SUPPORT ACCOMMODATION, LIVE MUSIC AND EVENTS

Up to 200,000 accommodation vouchers worth $100 each will be available to NSW residents as part of a new $51.5 million economic package designed to encourage people back into the Sydney CBD, re-ignite live music across the State, and support jobs in the accommodation, entertainment and tourism sectors.
The NSW Government’s latest COVID-19 response package will also include $24 million for eligible live music venues, a support package to help the business events industry in Sydney and regional NSW, and a funding boost for tourism marketing.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new package recognised the Sydney CBD and workers in accommodation, live entertainment and tourism industries had been especially hard hit by COVID-19.
“With international, interstate and business travelers virtually non-existent for the past year, the CBD, and in particular the accommodation industry, has done it tough,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This new program will be in addition to our other stimulus measures such as the Dine & Discover scheme, and will provide a boost to accommodation providers in what is a traditionally very quiet period.”
Mr Perrottet said the new funding would boost both the CBD economy and assist the accommodation, entertainment and tourism industries.
“Thousands of businesses in the Sydney CBD lost significant revenue with so many people working from home, when you add in almost no overseas or interstate travel, it’s been a tough 12 months for them,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This scheme will encourage people to explore more of what the Sydney CBD has to offer, and spend a little bit more on the way through, and support local jobs.”
Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said supporting the live music and business events industry was vital as NSW continued its economic recovery.
“Everyone has missed live music, the industry is coming out of hibernation, and this package will ensure our much loved venues are there to host the gigs people want to see as they celebrate NSW emerging from the pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“There will also be support for business events and more money to market local tourism attractions as part of the Love NSW platform.
“Our success in containing COVID-19 means we can now focus on assisting these vital industries get back to business.”
The key components of the program are:

  • $20 million for up to 200,000 x $100 CBD accommodation vouchers;
  • $24 million to Destination NSW for a Live Music Support Package to be administered in partnership with Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner;
  • $5.5 million for a Business Events Industry Support package to assist businesses in Greater Sydney and across NSW;
  • $2 million for a Tourism Industry Marketing Support package through the Love NSW campaign.

The $100 accommodation vouchers will be allocated on a first in, first served basis, and is expected to commence in June during the quieter winter period.
Accommodation providers will need to register for the program and operate within the City of Sydney to participate.
More details on how businesses can register and how people can apply for the accommodation vouchers and their release date will be announced in coming weeks.
More information package will be made available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/living-nsw/tourism-support-package.

200 Years of Greek Independence

Democracy. Aristotle. The Olympics. The delicious dish of Souvlaki, but most importantly my Yia Yia and Papaou. What do all these things have in common?
They originated from Greece! It is important to acknowledge the role our heritage and personal history have in shaping our ways of leadership. My grandparents were outstanding examples of everyday, ordinary leaders—leaders who served their families and communities.
I mention them, for on this day we mark 200 years of Greek Independence.
Two centuries ago, Greece launched their campaign for independence from the Ottoman Empire. What followed was the flourishing of a proud country, spreading its culture throughout the world. Australia’s first group of Greek migrants came in the form of seven prisoners in the early 1800s. Through the gold rush years of the 1850s and then post world war two, thousands of Greek men and women immigrated to Australia.
Today there are nearly 400,000 people of Greek ancestry in Australia. Many of whom resident in my electorate of Reid! Burwood is home of the Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Parish. Established in 1970, it serves the spiritual, educational and social needs of the local Greek community.
Plato once said, courage is knowing what not to fear. The Greeks who have migrated to Australia put aside fear, showing immense courage leaving their homes in search of a better life.
Without the Greek community, Australian society wouldn’t be what it is today.

NDIS INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS SUBJECT TO MASSIVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Morrison Government is allowing corporations with massive conflicts of interest – including one run by former NDIA CEO Robert De Luca – to begin cashing in on planned Independent Assessment changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme before they’ve even been introduced.
Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said today we’ve discovered that on top of being dehumanising and unworkable for disabled people, proposed independent assessment changes were ripe for corruption.
“This is deeply problematic because the individual who assesses your support needs could be working for a company who is owned by the corporation that is providing you with those supports. It is a massive conflict of interest,” Steele-John said.
“It is unacceptable that planners and service providers have been allowed to create subsidiary companies and legal entities that can uniquely position themselves to exploit that government’s planned Independent Assessment changes.
“It is even more concerning that one of the biggest corporations that is cashing in is being run by former NDIA CEO Robert De Luca.
“It is clear from the report this morning that the lines are already blurring between these companies and their parent corporations.
“Job advertisements for independent assessors in subsidiary companies owned by the corporation Mr De Luca runs are popping up all over Australia, months ahead of when the proposed changes are due to be introduced. There has been no transparent and public tender process for these independent assessment contracts.
“The entire thing stinks and should be immediately halted until disabled people, our families, our advocates and peak representative organisations have been properly consulted.”

Thousands more to be condemned to Cashless Debit Card despite failure of Government to prove it works

The Greens have strongly condemned the lifting of the temporary pause on new income support recipients going on to the Cashless Debit Card program, put in place in response to COVID-19.
“The Government has spent billions pushing this punitive scheme, and millions on flawed evaluations trying to prove that the card works and to justify their punitive approach.
“They have been unable to provide ANY compelling evidence that the card has had a positive outcome or achieved any of its supposed aims.
“From April 1, not only will millions be condemned to poverty, those in the so-called trial sites who are new to income support will be put on income management.
“Managing money is not the problem, it’s the $44 a day people are trying to survive on!
“The Government say they will implement a “staggered approach” to ensure income support recipients who are new to the Cashless Debit Card program can get the support they need during their transition.
“I’m frankly staggered they are even trying this on, this card makes life harder for people.
“While we are having a national conversation about violence against women, I am deeply concerned that this card may keep people in violent situations and the low rate of income supports severely limits the options for women and children leaving violent homes.
“This Government is flogging a dead horse. Give it up. The card doesn’t work. This cruel social experiment needs to end.”
 

Multi-language radio ads to promote Indigenous health checks

A major push to improve the health of the Indigenous community has been launched this week by the Australian Government, with a focus on increasing annual health checks.
Backed by a new radio advertising campaign delivered in five Aboriginal languages: Kriol, Yolngu Matha, Warlpiri, Arrente and Burarra, the Government is encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to see their GP and have a 715 health check.
The health check, listed as item 715 on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, is tailored specifically to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages. It is free and available every nine to twelve months.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the health checks are an opportunity for early intervention, prevention and chronic disease management for all age groups.
“In-person 715 health checks decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and the new radio advertising campaign, along with the availability of the 715 health check via telehealth, will help to increase awareness and uptake,” Minister Hunt said.
“The three-month radio advertising campaign is part of our ‘Your Health is in Your Hands’ communications project, delivered in partnership with Aboriginal-owned company 33 creative, who have created print, audio and online content to promote the health checks.”
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said the Government was committed to increasing the rates of the 715 health check by 10 per cent, as part of the Long Term National Health Plan.
“These health checks provide important information for both Indigenous people and health professionals, ensuring they can have their physical, psychological and social health comprehensively assessed,” Minister Wyatt said.
“While rates have been trending upwards in most locations and age groups, increasing from 11 per cent in 2010-11 to 29 per cent in 2017-18, we encourage all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to visit your local GP and have your health checked.”
Collectively, it is estimated that there are approximately 13,000 speakers of the five Aboriginal languages which will be aired across the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
The English language ads will be launched in the urban areas of Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart as well as nationally in remote and very remote areas of Australia.
The campaign began on 21 March 2021 and will run for three months.

Taking new medical devices from discovery to manufacture

From today, Australia’s best and brightest researches can apply for the fourth and final round of the $45 million BioMedTech Horizons (BMTH) program, which has been successful in bringing cutting edge medical devices to market.
The Australian Government, through the BMTH program, offers $3.2 million in partnership projects to help get innovative new medical devices to the next steps of starting human trials and early stage manufacturing.
The funding is available for up to four well-developed projects that can be completed within a year, and will see devices take the final steps towards commercialisation.
The BMTH program has already achieved great results, with recent funding recipient WearOptimo announcing a deal to manufacture its next generation Microwearable™ sensor health technology.
The wearable device gives patients, and their doctors, early warning of heart attacks, heat stroke and other life-threatening events. The device will be manufactured in Brisbane and distributed worldwide.
The Government supported WearOptimo’s research through the BMTH program, to develop the Microwearable technology itself and then its application in monitoring dehydration and cardiac health.
Our researchers are world-class innovators and we are committed to ensuring their research can lead to new treatments, drugs and devices which address our biggest health challenges.
The BMTH program is improving health outcomes for Australians, while also bolstering the biomedical and medical technology sector, boosting employment and growing business.
The Government funds the program through the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The 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.
MTPConnect, a not-for-profit organisation driving innovation, collaboration and commercialisation in the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, delivers the BMTH program.
Details on how to apply for funding under the program are available at www.mtpconnect.org.au

King Edward Park recommended for Heritage Register

With its spectacular ocean views, importance to Newcastle’s traditional custodians the Awabakal people, penal and defence history and timeless appeal for picnics and recreation, King Edward Park holds enormous significance to Newcastle.
Its heritage value is set to be highlighted, with Councillors endorsing a nomination to list Newcastle Recreation Reserve on the NSW State Heritage Register (SHR). The decision whether to apply heritage listing to the site will be made by the NSW Government’s Special Minister for State, Don Harwin.
The Reserve includes King Edward Park, Obelisk Park and tennis courts, Arcadia Park, Shepherds Hill Defence Reserve Military Installations, the Bogey Hole baths and the cliffside above South Newcastle Beach.
It excludes the King Edward Headland Reserve (the former Newcastle Bowling Club site), which is owned by the local Aboriginal community through the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council following a successful claim in 2018 under the 1983 Aboriginal Land Rights Act.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the heritage listing of Newcastle Recreation Reserve, which is being considered by the Heritage Council of NSW, recognises the significance of the area.
“Newcastle Recreation Reserve is a site of considerable cultural, historic and heritage significance to the people of NSW,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The Reserve includes sites of known cultural significance to the Awabakal people, and was the scene of important early interactions with Europeans.
“It was declared a recreation reserve in 1863 and is a rare example in NSW of a comparatively undeveloped inner-city landscape.
“King Edward Park’s Victorian rotunda is an iconic local landmark, while countless Novocastrians have admired the bright annual flower displays that fill the sunken garden with a rainbow of colour each spring.
“The Reserve also possesses coastal native grasslands, including Themeda grass, which is an endangered ecological community threatened by coastal development and weed invasion.
“Listing the Newcastle Recreation Reserve on the State Heritage Register would support City of Newcastle’s commitment under the 2030 Community Strategic Plan and Heritage Strategy 2020-2030 to celebrate, protect and promote our city’s unique built and cultural heritage.”
Cr Nelmes said a listing on the State Heritage Register would put City of Newcastle in a stronger position to obtain funding for heritage projects at the site and also acknowledged that the Minister responsible for heritage determined not to list the Newcastle Recreation Reserve on the State Heritage Register in 2020.

“Regardless of its inclusion on the State Heritage Register, any future development of the Headland Reserve will need to be consistent with the City’s zoning and planning controls. Any future development application will need to address and respond to both onsite heritage and the heritage values of adjoining parcels,” Cr Nelmes said

“Ultimately this matter will be resolved by recommendation of the Heritage Council to the Minister for determination.”

Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Rob Russell welcomed City of Newcastle’s decision to support the nomination in its current format, which excludes the King Edward Headland Reserve from the potential heritage listing.

“The central purpose of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1983 is to provide Aboriginal people with economic independence, to alleviate disadvantage and to compensate for past injustices,” Mr Russell said.
“That is why land grants such as the former Newcastle Bowling Club site are so important and so valuable.
“Heritage listing of this land would have a negative impact on the Awabakal Land Council’s capacity to achieve any financial reward to share with the community from the granting of this land claim, it would disincentivise proposals for any future development.
“The former Newcastle Bowling Club site provides tenuous evidence of significance or heritage value – decades of use as a bowling club have disturbed and destroyed any remnant of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
“However, future development of the site will ultimately allow us to return Aboriginal culture to King Edward Park as part of any operational facility. To take Aboriginal culture back to this great location and realise its potential for contemporary Aboriginal people and all Novocastrians.”