While Scott Morrison attends G7 and the world plans to transition away from fossil fuels the Australian Government has made a mockery of itself by inviting oil and gas companies to exploit 80,000km2 of new offshore acreage, to help with a “gas led recovery”.
Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Peter Whish-Wilson, said Australia has no environmental credibility left under the Morrison Government.
“Today’s news that 80,000km2 of our ocean has been handed over for oil gas exploration exposes the Prime Minister’s attendance at the G7 a complete travesty.
“So long as Scott Morrison’s Government is beholden to The Nationals, Australia will have no credibility on matters relating to reducing emissions.
“In this time of climate emergency there is no excuse for Governments to be handing over new areas of our oceans for exploration to find the very product that is killing our oceans.
“We know the Liberals and Labor are beholden to fossil fuel donations, but it’s got to stop – this level of hypocrisy is out of control.
“Coastal communities right around the nation are opposing offshore fossil fuel exploration in this time of climate emergency.
“Only last week a Senate Inquiry into seismic testing tabled its final report – the Committee heard the current regulatory framework does not provide sufficient environmental or economic protection from the impacts of seismic testing, and Report recommendations make it clear that more research is urgently needed.
“The ability for this Government to dismiss not only community concerns, but report after report calling for climate action is frankly quite frightening.
“Scott Morrison is not only an embarrassment to this nation but is threatening its future by failing to take seriously the impacts of climate change.”
$11.7 million investment in research to reduce medication harm
The Australian Government is investing $11.7 million in medical research for pharmacists to support patients with the safe use of medicines.
All Australians will take some form of medication throughout their lives for a number of reasons, but using medicines are not without risk.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia estimates 400,000 people present to emergency departments with medication problems each year, and 250,000 are hospitalised. They believe half of these events could be prevented.
The 2020 Quality, Safety and Effectiveness of Medicine Use and Medicine Intervention by Pharmacists grant recipients tackle some of the common prescription drug issues for at-risk groups.
This includes the growing number of Australians – more than 1.7 million people – who aren’t aware they have symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD). For this group, some medications are dangerous and can cause toxicity in the kidneys.
As part of this program, University of Sydney researchers will receive almost $1.9 million to pilot a CKD screening program by community pharmacies, to identify and manage patients with the disease.
The University of Sydney will also receive $2.3 million to develop an integrated referral pathway for Australians with osteoporosis, to help decrease the risk of falls by reducing the use of medicines that lead to falls and improve the use of anti-osteoporosis medicines for bone strength.
The outcomes of the research undertaken through the grants will help inform ongoing work to ensure pharmacist fulfil their full scope of practice and could also inform the future Community Pharmacy Agreements.
The grant program is funded through the Australian Government’s Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative, which forms part of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
The initiative is about supporting innovative approaches to public health challenges, particularly treating and managing chronic and complex diseases and improve the use of medicines.
The 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.
Further information about the MRFF is available on the Department of Health website.
| Project | Recipient | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| A Systems approach to enhancing community-based medication review | University of Sydney | $2,432,288 |
| Pharmacy-based screening and quality use of medicines in kidney disease | University of Sydney | $1,894,075 |
| The ALLIANCE Trial | Monash University | $2,493,400 |
| Safer medicines To reduce falls and fractures for OsteoPorosis (#STOP) | University of Sydney | $2,337,170 |
| Activating pharmacists to reduce medication related problems: ACTMed | Griffith University | $2,498,824 |
| Total | $11,655,757 | |
New Free Trade Agreement to Deliver Jobs and Business Opportunities in Australia and the United Kingdom
A new free trade agreement with the UK will deliver more Australian jobs and business opportunities for exporters, bringing both countries closer together in a changing strategic environment.
Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson have agreed on the broad outlines of an Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The FTA is the right deal for Australia and the United Kingdom, with greater access to a range of high-quality products made in both countries as well as greater access for businesses and workers, all of which will drive economic growth and job creation in both countries.
Australian producers and farmers will receive a significant boost by getting greater access to the UK market.
Australian consumers will benefit from cheaper products, with all tariffs eliminated within five years, and tariffs on cars, whisky, and the UK’s other main exports eliminated immediately.
The UK will liberalise Australian imports with 99 per cent of Australian goods, including Australian wine and short and medium grain milled rice, entering the UK duty free when the agreement enters into force.
Beef tariffs will be eliminated after ten years. During the transition period, Australia will have immediate access to a duty-free quota of 35,000 tonnes, rising in equal instalments to 110,000 tonnes in year 10.
In the subsequent five years a safeguard will apply on beef imports exceeding a further volume threshold rising in equal instalments to 175,000 tonnes, levying a tariff safeguard duty of 20 per cent for the rest of the calendar year.
Sheep meat tariffs will be eliminated after ten years. During the transition period, Australia will have immediate access to a duty-free quota of 25,000 tonnes, rising in equal instalments to 75,000 tonnes in year 10. In the subsequent five years a safeguard will apply on sheep meat imports exceeding a further volume threshold rising in equal instalments to 125,000 tonnes, levying a tariff safeguard duty of 20 per cent for the rest of the calendar year.
Sugar tariffs will be eliminated over eight years. During the transition period, Australia will have immediate access to a duty-free quota of 80,000 tonnes, rising by 20,000 tonnes each year.
Dairy tariffs will be eliminated over five years. During the transition period, Australia will have immediate access to a duty-free quota for cheese of 24,000 tonnes, rising in equal instalments to 48,000 tonnes in year five. Australia will also have immediate access to a duty-free quota for non-cheese dairy of 20,000 tonnes.
Working Holiday Visa makers in the UK will get expanded rights and will now be able to stay for three years with an increased cut off age of 35.
Professionals will benefit from provisions to support mutual recognition of qualifications and greater certainty for skilled professionals entering the UK labour market.
This ambitious bilateral free trade agreement will help pave the way for the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The two countries will now finalise the text, and carry out the domestic processes required to enable signature and the subsequent entry into force of the FTA.
There’s no excuse for abuse – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021
The Morrison Government is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of older Australians and keeping them safe from elder abuse.
The abuse of older Australians is a complex health and social problem that can have devastating physical, emotional and social consequences for older people, their families and their communities.
Coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a national elder abuse awareness campaign has been launched to highlight this significant social issue and assist those who are at risk of experiencing elder abuse to take action and seek support, by calling 1800ELDERHelp and accessing the elder abuse knowledge hub Compass.info.
“We know elder abuse occurs, yet many people are afraid to report it, are not aware of it, or cannot identify it,” the Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash said.
“We want older Australians to know there is help available, you have the right to live free from elder abuse.”
The Government funds a range of front-line service providers across all states and territories to combat elder abuse. These include:
- specialist elder abuse units, where lawyers, social workers and other specialist support staff work side-by-side with clients to develop a case plan to respond to the individual’s needs
- case management and mediation services, that work with the older person and their family to find solutions to the underlying problems driving abuse and
- health-justice partnership services, where older people identified by health care workers such as yourselves as being at risk can access specialist legal support services.
Information on how to seek assistance from these and other service providers can be found on the Compass.info website or by calling 1800ELDERHelp.
The Government also funds the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) to provide free, confidential and independent advocacy support to older people and their representatives receiving, or seeking to receive, Government-funded aged care services.
OPAN launched a new online training package for health and allied health professionals, on 9 June, as part of a new approach to preventing the abuse of older Australians.
“Australia’s health and allied health professionals provide essential services to older Australians. They are on the front line, and as trusted advisors to older Australians it is vital they are trained to spot the signs of elder abuse and have the appropriate tools and information and they need to act,” Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said.
“Training health professionals is another safeguard the government has introduced to protect older Australians.”
As part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of older Australians, public consultation is currently underway on possible arrangements for a National Register of Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Consultation on a National Register will be open until 30 June, and the outcomes will be used to develop and inform a final proposal for the consideration of Attorneys-General from each jurisdiction. More information about the consultation process can be found here.
The short video about elder abuse and further information via the Attorney General’s Department can be found here.
More information about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day can be found World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
New iconic walks to showcase state’s extraordinary National Parks
NSW will soon be home to new iconic multi-day walks in the State’s spectacular national parks, thanks to $80 million in funding as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet joined Environment Minister Matt Kean in the Illawarra today to unveil the first walk – The Great Southern Walk – which will stretch 59-kilometres and showcase the natural and cultural beauty of the Illawarra Escarpment, Royal and Kamay Botany Bay National Parks.
Mr Perrottet said we want NSW’s national parks to become ‘must-see’ destinations of global significance.
“From Border Ranges in the north, to Kosciuszko in the south, to Hat Head in the east and Mungo in the west, visitation across our extraordinary National Parks estate has surged in the past 12 months,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This $80 million budget injection will enable us to add new iconic experiences to our tourism arsenal, drawing keen hikers from around Australia and when borders reopen the world, to our spectacular regions giving local small businesses and tourism operators a much needed boost.
“The first of the walks – The Great Southern Walk – will provide a spectacular 5-day experience with a range of new accommodation options such as cabins and ‘glamping’ sites dotted along the track to welcome walkers at the end of each day’s trek.”
Environment Minister Matt Kean said a new mountain biking network will also be created across the Escarpment and become a major drawcard for visitors to the area.
“This new mountain bike track will offer riders over 44 kilometres of uninterrupted, sustainably managed track between Mount Keira and Mount Kembla,” Mr Kean said.
“Both this signature walk and biking network are major initiatives that will not only make our national parks more accessible to a broader audience but also bring new visitors to this spectacular region.”
The walk, expected to be complete in 2024, will boost the local tourism economy and create local jobs both during construction and as the walk welcomes national and international visitors. Details on a second iconic multi-day walk will be released in coming months.
NSW national parks already attract more than 60 million visits a year, generating $18 billion in economic activity for NSW and supporting more than 74,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Since 2019 the NSW Government has invested more than $257 million across the national park estate to improve visitor facilities – the biggest visitor infrastructure investment in the history of NSW national parks.
Budget 2021-22 swifter justice with eight extra local court magistrates
Victims of crime will benefit from accelerated access to justice in the Local Court, with the 2021-22 State Budget investing $56.1million over the next four years to appoint eight extra magistrates and boost resources for prosecutors and Legal Aid. The number of magistrates will reach a record total of 149.
Attorney General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Mark Speakman said the NSW Government’s investment in additional Local Court magistrates will deliver more efficient justice in both regional and metropolitan NSW.
“The extra magistrates will help to reduce the trauma of waiting for hearing dates and attending court on victims, witnesses and families. We’re committed to easing that burden felt particularly by those involved in domestic violence cases,” Mr Speakman said.
Mr Speakman said the increase in magistrates would also enable the Coronial Case Management Unit (CCMU) pilot to become permanent.
“The CCMU helps ensure grieving families can lay their loved ones to rest sooner and receive better and more timely information. Led by coroners, the unit is a successful collaboration between police, forensic pathologists, medical specialists and counsellors,” Mr Speakman said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the investment recognises the critical role of the Local Court in the NSW justice system.
“As NSW continues to grow, we need to ensure the local court system is equipped to meet the challenges of the future and deliver justice to victims as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
NSW Chief Magistrate Judge Graeme Henson AM said the additional magistrates will further improve Australia’s most efficient court.
“These additions to the Local Court bench will be invaluable for boosting the capacity of NSW’s busiest jurisdiction, particularly in larger regional areas. Increased access to timely justice will benefit all court users and indeed the whole community,” Judge Henson said.
Today’s announcement complements more than $150 million committed in the 2020-21 Budget of November 2020 to digitally transform NSW courts and upgrade regional and metropolitan courthouses.
The vast majority (96 per cent) of all criminal cases in NSW are finalised in the Local Court, with 139 locations across NSW.
$90-million budget boost to support women and children impacted by domestic violence
More women and children experiencing domestic and sexual violence will be supported by a $60 million funding boost to frontline services over two years from the NSW Government.
The Government will also commit an extra $32.5 million over four years to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program across the State to assist victim survivors.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said these commitments in the NSW Budget would help to tackle the scourge of domestic violence – one of the most difficult problems our communities face.
“NSW is one of the best places to live, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune from complex social issues like domestic and sexual violence, that impact thousands each year,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our Government’s responsible fiscal management, even in the depths of COVID-19, has enabled us to make important investments like this, that will help stop the cycle of abuse and protect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Attorney General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Mark Speakman said the Government will engage with the sector in delivering these significant investments to NSW communities.
“Our priorities will include helping children impacted by domestic violence, Aboriginal survivors, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communites, and victims from regional communities,” Mr Speakman said.
The funding announced today will:
- boost frontline specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services;
- help victim-survivors escape violent homes;
- support victim-survivors stay safe at home;
- hold perpetrators to account; and
- raise awareness about domestic and family violence services.
The NSW Government funding will also go towards trialling initiatives during the transition to the next National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
Mr Speakman said the state-wide rollout of SHLV was aimed at preventing victim-survivors from becoming homeless or having to move away from their support system of family and friends, instead supporting them to stay safely where they are.
“Women are often forced to flee violent homes, and in doing so they’re cut off from housing, community supports, employment, and education for their children,” Mr Speakman said.
“Perpetrators choose to inflict horrendous abuse on those they claim to love. It is they alone who should bear the brunt of re-locating if they refuse to change their behaviour.”
SHLV works in partnership with NSW Police and provides a range of wrap-around services including safety planning, home security, support for children, assistance in managing finances and navigating the legal process.
Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, the state’s leading organisation for specialist domestic violence services, welcomed the funding boost that will benefit services across the state.
“Frontline services have been advocating for greater support, particularly during COVID-19, to deliver crucial services to victim-survivors in communities across NSW, so we’re really pleased to see this critical funding commitment in the Budget,” Ms Donovan said.
“The expansion of Staying Home Leaving Violence is also fantastic news, as it will ensure that more women and their children can access this service no matter where they live, and therefore they can safely remain in their homes, if they choose to do so.”
The funding announced today is in addition to a record $538 million investment over four years announced in the last Budget to reduce domestic violence re-offending and support victim safety through early intervention initiatives, victim support and perpetrator interventions.
$50 million for planning Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2
The NSW Government is committing $50 million for planning and development works of Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding will ensure we have the right transport links between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney Olympic Peninsula.
“This continues our record investment in public transport infrastructure, which is continuing to support thousands of jobs in our economy while also making Sydney and NSW a better place to live,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This money will go towards planning, utilities and geotechnical investigations. It will also progress the development of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement.”
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said this funding would ensure the project is ‘shovel ready’.
“This area is growing at an exponential rate and requires infrastructure that is smart, futureproof and will offer the community a variety of transport choices,” Mr Constance said.
“It is important we get the next steps right so this project complements city-shaping projects like Sydney Metro West.”
The NSW Government previously announced a preferred route for the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail that would connect Stage 1 and Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said it was exciting to see the planning funding committed for the next stage of this transport link.
“Locals have seen the great progress on Stage 1, with 50 per cent of tracks expected to be laid by the end of the month. Now, they can see the NSW Government is getting on with the job by laying the groundwork for the next stage of this project,” Mr Lee said.
The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 and 2 will provide links with Sydney Metro West at Parramatta, Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park and the existing rail network at Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park as well as ferries at Parramatta, Rydalmere and Wentworth Point.
More than $1 billion committed to the Bradfield City Centre
The NSW Government has committed $1.15 billion to kick start work on the Bradfield City Centre, supporting thousands of jobs on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the funding paves the way for work on the project to begin this year, starting the creation of a world class city precinct that will support up to 17,600 highly skilled jobs.
“This is another exciting step forward in realising the Government’s vision for this city-building project,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have named the new Aerotropolis city, Bradfield, and now work is set to begin to turn what is essentially a paddock today into a thriving global city centre.”
This commitment from the NSW Government includes $975.5 million in enabling works to establish, remediate and allow site access to about 100 hectares of land, driving the COVID-19 economic recovery not only in NSW, but across the nation.
The funding will also help to create a key Indo-Pacific economic hub, unleashing international investment in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence, agri-business, pharma, freight and logistics, health and education.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this vital investment would lay the foundations for Bradfield to be transformed into a world-class precinct that will drive jobs now and into the future.
“Bradfield City will be the next jewel in Sydney’s crown and we’re putting in the groundwork to deliver an iconic city that will unlock new economic opportunities, particularly for the people of Western Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The pandemic has shown us the importance of investing in our own backyard and this investment will create a precinct that will be home to businesses and industries that will create jobs not just today, but into the future as well.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said there is also funding to establish the First Building in the Bradfield City Centre and for a four-year pilot of the New Education and Training Model (NETM).
“The government has committed $138.2 million for the First Building which includes a $24.9 million high-tech facility which will house $22.9 million worth of shared-use equipment for research institutions and industry to collaborate,” Mr Ayres said.
“The NETM is a new model of tertiary education aimed at helping advanced industries access skilled labour. We are dedicating $37.4 million to the program over five years to provide more than 7,000 courses for almost 3,000 students.”
The funding commitment will deliver the first stage of Australia’s first 22nd century city, attracting global competitive advanced industries and driving the creation of 200,000 new jobs across the Western Parkland City.
$7.7M Boost for ADHD and Behavioural support in regional NSW
The NSW Government will invest $7.7 million to trial a new model of care and management for children with behavioural issues including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in regional NSW.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding would be included in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget to provide greater support for families in the bush.
“This is about ensuring kids and young people across our State are able to get the help they need when challenges arise. We don’t want families to just survive, we want them to thrive and meeting health needs plays a vital part in that,” Mr Perrottet said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the pilot program will give people greater access to vital services closer to home.
“We are pleased to invest in a trial that will help children and young people with behavioural issues including ADHD and their families seek the care they need in their local community,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Medical and allied health staff will be employed in regional areas to work directly with the families to help children and young people transition from school to tertiary education or work while managing their behavioural issues.”
The mixed model service will connect children and young people with behavioural management and support needs to a range of state-wide services including:
- existing diagnostic services;
- paediatric psychiatry support;
- tertiary children’s services;
- transition care and management; and
- telehealth and outreach clinics.
The trial builds on the recommendations of the Henry Review which examined the current model of care for the assessment and management of children and young people with behavioural issues including ADHD in NSW.
“We have taken on board the three recommendations of the Henry Review, and the new model of care will be informed by input from medical and allied health staff across NSW,” Mr Hazzard said.
In 2021-22, the NSW Government will contribute $1.8 million funding for the ADHD pilot program, with a total investment of $7.7 million over four years.