Australian Greens Anti-racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has expressed her serious concerns about a Lowy Institute survey which found that 1 in 5 surveyed Chinese-Australians have been threatened or attacked during the past 12 months.
Senator Faruqi said:
“There’s no doubt ‘Covid racism’ is at play here. But we should not disregard the impact of political rhetoric and the consequences of heated debate over Australia-China relations.
“When Government MPs see nothing wrong with interrogating Chinese-Australians about their allegiances in Senate committee hearings, you can be sure there are deep-seated problems with our political debate.
“It’s completely unacceptable that thousands of Chinese-Australians are being subjected to threats or attacks.
“We need the government to commit to anti-racism, not just through policy and funded programs, but also through stamping out racist rhetoric among its own MPs,” she said.
Author: admin
Aged Care work must start today
The Greens say that the Aged Care system is fundamentally broken and there needs to be a sense of urgency in fixing it.
“The Royal Commissioners set out a five year process and the work needs to start today”, Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“This reform needs to be underpinned by a new aged care act based on a human rights approach.
“For too long, aged care has been put in the too hard basket. The Royal Commission Report clearly shows that years of tinkering around the edges has fundamentally failed older Australians.
“The funding that the Government announced yesterday is not close to enough. We have to see more in the budget.
“There is no point being sorry and distressed by what has occurred if we don’t see concrete plans for substantive reform and the commitment to adequately fund them.
“The Government must act on the most serious breaches of human rights against older Australians and an essential part of that is to move swiftly to reduce and eliminate the use of restraints in aged care.
“The use of physical or chemical restraints for control, punishment, retaliation or as a measure of convenience must be prohibited. Medicines should only ever be used for therapeutic purposes and with the free and informed consent of the person receiving them or their nominee.
“Older Australians will not be properly cared for and protected until the workforce is adequately paid and trained and the number of hours of care are increased.
“Aged Care workers can no longer be seen as collateral damage in this failed system.
“For too long those doing some of the most important work in our community have been overworked and underpaid. We must value the work that they do.”
Defence support the vaccine rollout in aged care
Over 14,000 Defence personnel, through Operation COVID-19 ASSIST, have already supported the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including contact tracing, emergency clinical support, border control measures, swab testing, and support to hotel quarantine.
As part of the continued expansion of the phase 1A COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the Australian Defence Force will provide supplementary support to the rollout of vaccines to Australians in aged care.
As we move into the next phase of the aged care vaccine rollout and continue the expansion of teams, additional nurses, pharmacists and providers are being added, with ADF vaccination teams supplementing these efforts.
The teams are expected to start next week and will build on the planning, logistics, and operations support Defence personnel are already providing to the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Taskforce.
Defence’s support to the vaccine rollout will focus on vaccinating senior Australians in locations not readily accessible by other medical providers.
This is another important role the ADF is playing in protecting Australians against COVID, as they have throughout the pandemic.
4 MILLION CITIZENS USING SERVICE NSW APP
The State Government’s Service NSW app has been downloaded more than four million times, approximately 75 per cent of NSW’s adult population.
The app has been used by patrons across the State for more than 117 million COVID Safe check-ins.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the technology has been a game changer for businesses and customers during the pandemic, while keeping the community safe.
“I want to thank the people of NSW for downloading the Service NSW app more than four million times, accounting for around half the State’s population, which continues to keep our community safe from COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are using technology to enhance the user experience and prioritise public safety, and these figures show that citizens have embraced our digital solutions.
“The app has not only provided an easy solution for businesses and customers for checking in, it importantly assists NSW Health and the contact tracing team in the event of an outbreak.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said more than 80,000 businesses are actively using the check-in feature, with 94 per cent giving it the thumbs up.
“We want the customer to be at the centre of everything we do, which is why we are constantly bolstering the app in response to feedback,” Mr Dominello said.
“We have recently updated the app to enable customers to save the details of their dependents and soon the check-out will be easier for customers, with a new reminder notification around the corner.
“You can also use the app to download a Digital Driver Licence, renew registrations and find out the latest COVID advice.”
Further information on Service NSW is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au
NEW NSW LIBERAL PARTY CODE OF CONDUCT
The NSW Liberal Party Executive has unanimously adopted a new Code of Conduct that will govern the behaviour of members, and will help create a positive environment for Members and volunteers.
For some time, the NSW Liberal Party has been developing a new Code of Conduct that reflects our commitment to high standards of behaviour.
The NSW Liberal Party President, the Hon Philip Ruddock AO, said that a lot of work had gone into the development of the new Code.
“This Code compliments the work done at a national level by former State and Federal President, Chris McDiven AO, and former Federal Director, Brian Loughnane AO, by implementing a robust framework governing behaviour and a complaints resolution process to ensure that behaviour that falls short of the standards set out in the Code is dealt with appropriately.”
“There is no doubt that harassment and assault are completely unacceptable in any circumstances. Everyone is entitled to feel safe and no-one should have to be subjected to inappropriate behaviour of any kind,” said Mr Ruddock.
“The new Code reflects a common sense approach in the way members should interact. It is a direct result of detailed input and contribution of many – the State Director, Chris Stone, and his team, the Party’s Audit & Governance Committee, the State Executive, and the Code of Conduct sub-committee,” said Female Vice-President and Chair of the Code of Conduct sub-committee, Mary-Lou Jarvis.
As part of the reforms, the Party will be establishing an autonomous Conduct Review Committee to ensure that complaints can be dealt with promptly and confidentially, while providing procedural fairness for all involved.
Police operation concluded – Kotara
Two people have been arrested and another remains outstanding following a police operation in Kotara this morning.
About 3.50am today (Wednesday 3 March 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Park Avenue, Kotara, following reports a 24-year-old woman had been held against her will.
Police have been told two women – aged 24 and 30 – and two men – aged 29 and 36 – were inside the home before the younger woman managed to escape and contact police.
The two men and woman then threatened an 88-year-old male resident, who was asleep at the time.
A perimeter was established, and specialist units were deployed to assist in the operation – including police negotiators and the dog unit.
The 88-year-old man was able to leave the home and was taken into police care about 5.50am; he was uninjured.
A 36-year-old man fled the home on foot a short time later, before he was arrested near Howell Street.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station.
A 30-year-old woman was also arrested at the property a short time later.
She was taken to Newcastle Police Station.
Both the man and woman are assisting police with their inquiries.
A 29-year-old man escaped the home and remains outstanding; officers attached to Newcastle City PD, Northern Region Operational Support Group (Op Utah) and other police resources are conducting extensive inquiries to locate the man.
An investigation into the circumstances leading up to and during the incident is now underway, including allegations the younger woman had been held against her will in the days prior to today’s incident.
Appeal following teen assault – Hunter Valley
Police are appealing for public assistance after a teenage girl was allegedly assaulted and inappropriately touched in the Hunter Valley last month.
About 9:40pm on Monday (15 February 2021), a 16-year-old girl was walking along Macauley Street in Denman, with an infant in a pram, when she was approached from behind by three people – believed to be a woman and two men – near the intersection of Hunter Street.
Police have been told the teen was pulled to the ground by her hair and kicked several times before a male touched her inappropriately.
The teen managed to free herself, fleeing the scene with the infant before being assisted by a resident.
Emergency services were contacted, and the teenage girl was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for treatment to cuts and bruises; the infant was uninjured.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the incident.
PFAS Ban In NSW Welcome – Now A National Ban Needed
Australian Greens Senator for NSW, Mehreen Faruqi, has said that today’s announcement of a NSW ban on firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals is welcome, but long overdue.
The Commonwealth should now proceed with a national ban.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Communities across NSW will welcome this news. It is long overdue. Our environment and people’s livelihoods have been ruined by toxic PFAS chemicals.
“We need a national ban now. The cross-party Senate committee I sit on has already recommended that the Commonwealth expedite the work to ban and destroy long chain PFAS-based firefighting foams. It’s time to get this done. No excuses. No ifs, no buts.
“When visiting PFAS-affected communities, I have seen first-hand the impacts these toxic chemicals have had on the lives of ordinary people. They all deserve justice.
“The government must commit to a proper compensation scheme for those impacted by PFAS chemicals, including the possibility of buy-backs. Too many people have been completely left behind,” she said.
Greens welcome Senate support for increase to JobSeeker and referral of bill to inquiry
“Yesterday the Senate supported my motion calling on the Government to immediately revise its JobSeeker announcement and urgently increase the Jobseeker Payment to be above the poverty line”, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“In supporting my motion the Senate has agreed that the Government’s proposed $3.57 a day increase to JobSeeker is not enough.
“I strongly urge Senators to support amendments to the bill in the Senate to increase the rate.
“Today the Government’s JobSeeker bill has been referred to a Senate inquiry which will report on March 12.
“We need to hear from the people who will be impacted by this Government’s shocking cruelty.
“$44 a day is bad for our community and bad for our economy.”
$452 million immediate response as government commits to historic reform to deliver respect and care for senior Australians
The Australian Government welcomes the Final Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which has today been tabled in Parliament, noting its significant and sweeping proposals for reform of the aged care sector.
As a country it is important that we all acknowledge that we need to do more to ensure senior Australians are treated with respect, care and dignity and have access to quality care as they age.
The Royal Commission’s Final Report recognises the immense effort of our nurses and carers but also brings the challenges of aged care services into clear focus. The Government is committed to transforming aged care and the Royal Commission’s monumental report, with 148 recommendations, delivers a challenging, but achievable road to reform.
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said it was clear from the Royal Commission’s work that while significant progress has been made, there is a clear roadmap to improve respect and care for our older Australians.
“I called this Royal Commission to ensure our oldest and most frail Australians could receive the respect and care that supports their dignity, and recognises the contribution that they have made to society,” the Prime Minister said.
“I warned when I called the Royal Commission there will be stories that will be hard to hear. And that has been the case. But at the same time, we have also heard heart-warming cases of dedication and with the challenges of COVID-19 in the past year, we need to acknowledge the hard work performed by our aged care workforce.
“As I noted at the time, Australians must be able to trust that their loved ones will be cared for appropriately and the community should have confidence in the system. This remains our clear goal.
“Today, the Australian Government is continuing to drive reforms with additional funding of $452.2 million to address immediate priorities in the sector.”
These immediate steps will drive improved quality of care by strengthening aged care provider governance, and improved oversight of home care which will ensure senior Australians and taxpayers are getting value for money.
It will provide additional financial assistance for residential care providers so they can improve care, whilst building the much needed workforce of the future to support Australians who want to age in their own homes.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, reiterated the Australian Government’s commitment to the necessary reform of aged care.
“The Royal Commission’s report is a significant document, the culmination of a two year inquiry, and demands a carefully considered response,” Minister Hunt said.
“We thank the Royal Commissioners and commit to the two fundamental principles of respect and care for our elders. We responded quickly to the Royal Commission’s interim report and its special report on COVID-19, with additional investments in the priority areas identified by the Royal Commission.
“The Government announced a $537 million package in November 2019 in response to the Interim Report, with a focus on more home care packages, reducing the number of young people living in residential aged care, and improving medication management.
“As part of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in aged care $1.8 billion was committed last year, including a $132 million package in November 2020. This funding is increasing access to mental health support and allied health services for aged care residents, and has provided significant additional financial support to improve infection prevention and control and workforce capability in aged care facilities during the pandemic.
“Today, we announce a further $452.2 million package as an initial step in responding to this Final Report.
“Our comprehensive response to the Royal Commission final report will be driven by the principle of respect and care and through the lens of five broad pillars –
- Home Care,
- Residential aged care quality and safety,
- Residential aged care services and sustainability,
- Workforce, and
- Governance.
“The five pillars will underpin the Australian Government’s response, along with its reform agenda and the implementation of those changes.”
1. SUPPORTING OLDER AUSTRALIANS WHO CHOOSE TO ACCESS HOME CARE
The Australian Government knows with more Australians wishing to stay in their own homes as they age, there is increasing demand for appropriate services to help them do so. This has been a key focus of the recommendations of the Royal Commission.
Since the 2018-19 Budget, the Government has invested a total of $5.5 billion in new funding to deliver more than 83,000 additional home care packages, including 10,000 packages announced in December 2020.
Minister Hunt said service providers must focus on the senior Australians at the centre of their work, to ensure their needs are met and that the care they receive continues to be tailored as those needs change.
“The Australian Government will immediately invest more than $18 million to enhance the oversight of the Government’s Home Care Packages Program, to deliver better value for senior Australians and the Australian taxpayer,” Minister Hunt said.
“Our Government expects home care providers to offer real value for money – and for the delivery of care, rather than any unjustified administrative fees, to make up the lion’s share of the cost. I expect our increased oversight will put downward pressure on any unfair administrative charges while supporting providers to deliver quality and safe services.”
Enhancing oversight of the delivery of home care packages will lead to more care and services going directly to care recipients and reduce the potential for fraud in the system.
2. QUALITY AND SAFETY IN RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE DELIVERS DIGNITY ALONGSIDE CARE
The Australian Government is committed to driving improvements to quality of care and safety for senior Australians.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the Government will review and enhance the sector’s quality standards with a focus on areas of concern identified in the report, including governance, diversity, dementia, food and nutrition.
“Funding worth $32 million will immediately be allocated to enhancing the capacity of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and greater regulation around the use of restraints in care,” Minister Colbeck said.
Eligible providers will be able to access programs to build their corporate and clinical governance across their Boards, to support increased accountability through strengthened legislative obligations. This will complement broader reforms, including improvements to provider governance and regulation.
“The use of physical and chemical restraint is a particular area of focus for the Royal Commission, and our Government has announced a number of measures to drive cultural change in this area following an independent review into the issue.
“In response to the Royal Commission, the Government will further establish clear new obligations and guidelines around the use of restraint to protect older Australians receiving care. A Senior Restraint Practitioner will be appointed to the Commission to lead an education campaign for the sector and general practitioners, to minimise the use of restraint, and bring practice into line with those in the disability sector.”
3. INVESTING TO DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE SERVICES AND SUSTAINABILITY
Minister Colbeck said the Australian Government wants to ensure there continues to be stable and reliable residential aged care options for senior Australians.
“The Australian Government committed more than $14.1 billion in 2020-21 towards residential aged care, up from $9.2 billion in 2012‑13 and reaching an estimated $17.1 billion by 2023‑24,” Minister Colbeck said.
“In response to the Royal Commission report, the Australian Government will immediately invest an additional $189.9 million for residential care providers to provide stability and maintain services while the Government considers the recommendations of the Royal Commission’s Final Report.
“This support equates to around $760 per resident in metropolitan residential aged care, and $1,145 for those in rural, regional and remote areas.”
In addition, the Government will invest $90 million to support a Viability Fund to assist those facilities which are facing financial challenges, particularly as we see the sector start to restructure and respond to the changing choices of people to live at home longer.
4. WORKFORCE: GROWING A PASSIONATE AND SKILLED AGED CARE WORKFORCE
As more Australians are supported to remain in their homes, there will be an increasing demand for skilled personal care workers (PCWs).
In response to the Royal Commission, the Government will immediately invest $92 million to create over 18,000 places for workers between now and mid-2023.
“There will be a significant increase in activity to attract job seekers into the sector, and a new Home Care Workforce Support Program will provide additional targeted support, including assistance to employers to access support and training for new recruits,” Minister Hunt said.
“The total value of measures to grow the skilled and professional aged care workforce is almost $92 million over four years.”
The Prime Minister said community confidence and the trust of senior Australians and their families would be bolstered by changes which bring transparency, accountability and oversight.
“Along with the measures to further develop residential aged care governance, our Government is also strengthening the arm of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, by appointing an Assistant Commissioner for Sector Capability with responsibility for leading a transformative change program,” he said.
Minister Colbeck said the enhanced oversight of the home care system will ensure senior Australians receive the quality of care they expect and that they get good value for the considerable investment made by families themselves and by Government in aged care.
In response to the Royal Commission, the Government will immediately invest $30.1 million to strengthen the governance of aged care providers and legislative governance obligations on the sector.
Minister Hunt also confirmed that work will immediately commence to replace the Aged Care Act 1997, providing a strong, fresh foundation to enable the reforms to be implemented and drive a cultural change with the focus on responding to the needs of senior Australians.
All of these immediate measures announced today are a starting point for further reform. Careful consideration will be given to the Royal Commission report and the Government will outline the path to transform aged care in the Budget.
5. GOVERNANCE: OVERSIGHT, STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY – A NEW ERA
The Prime Minister said, “Ultimately I called this Royal Commission as one of my first acts because I believe we owe a duty of care to every older Australian to ensure they have respect and quality care.
“This report provides an honest assessment and an important roadmap to deliver still greater respect and care for our older Australians. As a nation we commit to further honouring our elders and giving them respect and care.”
The Government thanks the Royal Commissioners, the Honourable Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs AO, for their considerable work in conducting the Royal Commission and all those who contributed throughout the course of the inquiry.