The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines into regional, rural and remote communities is an vital part of the Australian Government’s vaccine strategy to protect country people and managing the fight against the virus in the regions.
The Australian Government is working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, General Practices, state and territory governments, Primary Health Networks, General Practitioner-led Respiratory Clinics and community pharmacies, to ensure that Australian’s living in regional, rural and remote locations have access to a vaccination if they choose to.
To further strengthen our rollout delivery across Australia, both GP’s and pharmacies have been invited to join the nation-wide effort to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. This will integrate more than 2,000 vaccine sites across Australia.
GP’s will join the rollout from phase 1B, with pharmacies to begin vaccine distribution from phase 2A.
The Australian Government is committed to providing safe and effective vaccines free to everyone in Australia, no matter where they live.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said it is expected that there will be thousands of sites that will support the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations in Australia.
“We already have several agreements for the supply of approximately 140 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including those produced by Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Novavax,” Minister Hunt said.
“Access to vaccines approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration has been prioritised, ensuring those at greatest risk are vaccinated first.”
“We are working hard to ensure site readiness including specific handling requirements and sufficient cold chain capacity in locations that will be handling frozen vaccines.”
“This includes undertaking detailed implementation planning with peak bodies, jurisdictions and vaccination providers to ensure access to doses and to minimise wastage,” Minister Hunt said.
The Government has worked extensively with Pfizer and AstraZeneca and our logistics providers, DHL and Linfox, to ensure that either vaccine can be safely delivered throughout Australia.
Minister for Rural Health, Mark Coulton said Australia’s world class primary health workforce would be critical to the success of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across the nation.
“The rural health workforce – including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health professionals – have continually risen to the challenges of COVID-19 over the past year and will play a pivotal role in support the rollout of vaccines across regional Australia,” Minister Coulton said.
“I have held regular discussions with rural health stakeholders to ensure the impacts of COVID-19 are specifically considered in a rural context. The sector have provided valuable insights and considerations to the vaccine rollout and distribution across regional Australia.
“Our comprehensive response to the pandemic, including the establishment of GP Respiratory Clinics, developing a remote retrieval strategy and extending telehealth to protect regional Australians have been extremely successful in containing the virus.
“While cases of the virus have remained low in rural areas, the rollout of the vaccine is the next key aspect of our plan to keep our communities safe.”
Minister for Indigenous Australian, Ken Wyatt said the rollout of the vaccine program to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia, particularly in remote communities would be a sizeable undertaking.
“For this reason we will continue to listen to the advice and expertise of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19, which has informed all aspects of the COVID-19 response since early March 2020,” Minister Wyatt said.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have an increased risk of acquiring and developing serious outcomes from communicable diseases due to multiple factors, including social determinants of health.”
The Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy is available at health.gov.au
Author: admin
Promises, promises – the Liberals failed record on schools
As Term 1 of the 2021 school year begins there are still 24 new schools the Liberals promised before the 2019 election which they have not built.
The new schools promised across NSW that the Liberals have failed to build are:
Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car said the failure to build schools was letting down families and a missed opportunity to create local jobs.
“Building schools is a key way we can create jobs across NSW. It puts kids in classrooms and keeps tradies in their jobs,” Ms Car said.
“But under the Liberals all we have are false promises, overcrowded schools and results at an all-time low. Liberals just can’t be trusted on education.”
Labor moves to prevent another Government shredding spree
NSW Labor will introduce laws to prevent the Premier and her Government from embarking on any more illegal document shredding sprees.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) has referred her report on Gladys Berejiklian’s office to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) following a complaint from the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren.
The complaint stemmed from revelations the Premier’s office shredded documents relating to the controversial Stronger Communities Fund. Coalition-held seats received 95 per cent of funds from the $252 million grant program.
The IPC recommended legislative changes would prevent the Premier’s office – and other Ministers – from engaging in the destruction of important documents relating to Government processes and approvals.
The Premier admitted to pork-barrelling late last year, stating on 26 November:
“All Governments and all Oppositions make commitments to the community in order to curry favour. That’s part of the political process whether we like it or not.”
“It’s not something the community likes…but it’s an accusation I will wear.”
The NSW Labor Jodi McKay said Labor will introduce a bill when Parliament returns to establish the reckless destruction of State records as an offence.
“I find it extraordinary that we even have to do this. It should be common place that State records and important documents are kept by the Premier’s office. Pork barrelling is not ethical or normal behaviour and neither is a culture of cover-up. This is about restoring integrity and trust to politics in NSW,” Ms McKay said.
Mr Warren urged the Premier to support the changes in the interest of transparency.
“This Stronger Communities Fund grants saga really has exposed the level of secrecy and deceit within this Government,” Mr Warren said.
An Upper House inquiry into the Integrity, Efficacy and Value for Money of NSW Government Grants Programs, which will resume in February, is examining the rorting of the Stronger Communities Fund.
Ms McKay renewed calls for the Premier to front the Public Accountability Committee to answer questions about the shredding saga.
“If the Premier has nothing to hide she should agree to appear before the Inquiry. Coalition-held seats received 95 per cent of funds from the $252 million program. Gladys Berejiklian used public money for political gain, communities across NSW missed out and then her staff destroyed the evidence to cover it all up. NSW deserves answers.”
DIGITAL PHOTO CARD TRIAL GOES LIVE IN PENRITH
Thousands of NSW Photo Card holders who live in the Penrith area can now download a digital version of their identification through the Service NSW app.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said that the Digital Driver Licence has been a resounding success and led to many customers requesting a Digital Photo Card.
“This is another example of the NSW Government bolstering the Service NSW app to put customers first and make life easier for people,” Mr Dominello said.
“With a Digital Photo Card, as long as you have your phone, you always have your ID with you. It’s hassle free and only takes minutes to download.”
The Digital Photo Card builds on the success of the Digital Driver Licence, which is now held by more than 2.4 million licence holders in NSW, representing 41 per cent of drivers. Close to 2000 new users are adopting the technology each day, earning it a 95 per cent customer approval rating.
There are more than 970,000 Digital Photo Card holders in NSW.
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the trial will test the functionality and effectiveness of the Digital Photo Card ahead of a state-wide roll out.
“The trial will allow Photo Card holders in the trial area to use their mobile device to enter licensed venues and transact with other businesses who check ID, such as hotels, major retailers, telcos, convenience stores, tobacco retailers and pharmacies,” Mr Ayres said.
“The Digital Photo Card is hosted securely on the Service NSW app, which is locked with a PIN. I encourage Penrith residents to give it a go and let us know what you think.”
When a customer is issued their Photo Card or updates their details, they simply refresh the app for real-time updates, without having to wait for a plastic card to arrive in the post.
The Digital Photo Card remains available offline if the card holder remains logged into the Service NSW app. The following postcodes are included in the trial – 2750, 2745, 2747, 2748, 2749, 2773.
Appeal to locate wanted woman – Mid North Coast
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman wanted on an outstanding warrant on the state’s Mid North Coast.
Amanda Quinlan, aged 37, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to comply with a court order.
Officers from Mid North Coast Police District have commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.
Amanda is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, between 160cm-165cm tall, of thin build, with dark hair and brown eyes.
She is known to frequent the Campbelltown, Surry Hills, Port Macquarie and Kempsey areas.
Anyone who may see or know Amanda’s whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Labor sings to the tune of its union masters
The latest figures put beyond any that doubt who calls the shots of Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party.
Political donation data released by the Electoral Commission shows that in 2019-20, unions provided almost $5 million to Labor.
“At a time when Australians most need cooperation rather than partisan politics, not even a global pandemic has slowed down or caused any rethink at all to the massive amounts of money the union movement has funnelled to its mates in the Labor Party,” Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Christian Porter, said.
“Surely that money would have been better spent with a focus on the real and immediate needs of workers during the last year.
“At a time when union members are most in need of practical assistance, the unions still seem to be focused on business as usual – transmitting of huge amounts of membership fees to Labor politicians. That there are better ways to spend money for workers benefit during a pandemic is evidenced by the fact that at the same time millions in membership fees goes direct to Labor and political campaigning, the ACTU continues to ask government for funding to support awareness campaigns for workers. How does that work?
“The CFMMEU is one of Labor’s biggest source of funds, providing $568,000 to Labor.
“This is the union that has had fines of more than $19 million dollars by courts for breaking industrial laws.
“Whilst Anthony Albanese seeks to make a virtue of publicly rebuking the CFMMEU’s John Setka, he’s happy to keep taking the cash from a union that the Federal Court has labelled the most recidivist corporate offender in Australia’s history and is still pledging to scrap the regulator which is keeping the militant union in check.
“Labor’s hypocrisy on these issues is stark. It says one thing when publicly under pressure over the CFMMEU’s bullying, intimidation and coercive tactics on building sites, but is still happy to accept the union’s cash and do its bidding on IR policy.
“In the previous year, 2018-19, the CFMMEU put almost $2 million into Labor’s coffers at the same time it was securing the vote of every Labor MP and Senator against a Bill designed to end the CFMMEU’s stranglehold on the construction industry.
“In addition to the $5 million pumped into Labor coffers from unions, the union movement spent almost $2.5 million on its own campaigns against the Government in support of Labor. And just in the last 24 hours we have see even more union funds in support of Labor in a campaign using some of the most disgraceful and insensitive, violent imagery ever seen used in an Australian political campaign.
“It’s time for Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party to stand up to the CFMMEU and reject the union’s cash. That’s would be a real show of leadership”.
HISTORIC SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM BOOMS
More than 5,300 students will benefit from the NSW Government’s historic school building program in Term 1 with 10 new or upgraded schools opening for students today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 2021 is set to be another big year for public schools with more than 30 new and upgraded schools expected to open this year.
“The scale of the school building in NSW is unprecedented – the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW and today more communities across the state will benefit,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In the last two years, the NSW Government has opened more than 100 new and upgraded schools, benefitting tens of thousands of students and ensuring our growing communities have quality schools to learn in.
“In the face of a challenging pandemic, we are staying the course and will keep on building more classrooms, school halls and libraries in 2021.”
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the 10 schools represented a more than $400 million investment in communities spanning from Armidale, Sydney and Wagga.
“This is an incredible time for public education in NSW, we are building more schools than ever before and making generational reforms inside the classroom,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Our track record on school building speaks for itself, more schools delivered than ever before and we continue to deliver for communities right across the state.”
The $45 million redevelopment of Penshurst Public School has delivered 47 new classrooms, a new library, hall and open play spaces.
New and upgraded schools opening in Term 1 2021:
- Ajuga School (upgrade)
- Armidale Secondary College (redevelopment)
- Barramurra Public School (new school)
- Campbell House School (upgrade)
- Estella Public School (new school)
- Kent Road Public School (upgrade)
- Galungara Public School (new school)
- Glenfield Park School (upgrade)
- Penshurst Public School (redevelopment)
- Tirriwirri School (new school)
As the new school term begins, parents are also being encouraged to apply for the popular $100 Active Kids and Creative Kids voucher to allow young people to find their passion and learn new skills.
“To date, more than 3.3 million Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers have been redeemed with $334 million provided back to NSW families,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We know families are doing it tough across NSW, having experienced drought, bushfires and a pandemic and I want the community to know reducing cost of living pressures is at the front of our minds as a Government.”
For more information about Active Kids and Creative Kids visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/
The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
1990 CABINET PAPERS REVEAL GREINER GOVERNMENT’S WIDE-RANGING REFORMS
The NSW Cabinet Papers of 1990 have today been published online by NSW State Archives giving the public an insight into the detailed workings of the Greiner Government in its third year in power.
In the same year as Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and Dame Joan Sutherland’s final performance at the Sydney Opera House, the NSW Government showed no signs of slowing down on delivering wide-ranging reforms for a more efficient government.
Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin said, “the 1990 Cabinet Papers reveal the Liberal-National Party Coalition Government’s determination to deliver a more effective and transformative management of the public sector and the economy.
“The then Premier’s focus on a more accountable Cabinet and public service remains the basis of good Government practice today and these archived papers bear witness to all that was achieved in that year.”
State Archives’ Executive Director, Adam Lindsay said that the Cabinet Papers again this year, reveal how the issues of 30 years ago resonate with us today. “At a time when we are now encouraging people to work longer, the Cabinet Papers reveal that this is nothing new and that the ground was laid for such initiatives three decades ago,” Mr Lindsay said.
Significant Cabinet decisions made in 1990 included:
- Education
- introduction of the Education Reform Act
- Industrial Relations
– reforms to reflect a market-oriented approach to industrial relations
- Parliamentary and Electoral Reform
– a return of the size of the Legislative Assembly to 99 and the
– subsequent redistribution of electoral boundaries
- Environment and Planning
- establishment of a new Coastal Protection Policy,
- establishment of the Environment Protection Authority
- Social issues:
- approval of access to adoption information for adult adopted persons
- and the abolition of compulsory retirement
Click here to access the digitised 1990 Cabinet Papers.
Shot fired at home – Wallsend
An investigation has commenced following a public place shooting at Wallsend overnight.
Just before 2am (Tuesday 2 February 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Platt Street, Wallsend, after a shot was fired through the front window.
Police attended and established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic officers.
Three adults and three children were home at the time; however, no injuries have been reported.
As part of ongoing inquiries, police are urging anyone who may have information about the incident to contact police at Newcastle Police Station.
Loaded firearm seized; man charged – Heatherbrae
A man has been charged after a firearm, drugs and cash were located during a vehicle stop in the Hunter overnight.
About 11.15pm (Sunday 31 January 2021), police received information from a member of the public about a grey Ford Ranger with Queensland registration plates allegedly driving erratically on the Pacific Highway south of Taree.
The Ford – allegedly stolen from an address in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, last week – later stopped at a service station on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae, where officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and arrested the 44-year-old male driver.
Police conducted a search of the vehicle where they located a loaded shortened rifle underneath the driver’s seat, methylamphetamine, cannabis and cash.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with nine offences, including take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, possess shortened firearm without authority, possess loaded firearm in public place, not keep prohibited firearm safely, possess ammunition without licence, possess prohibited drug and suspected stolen goods in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Monday 1 February 2021).