The Australian Government’s $31 million COVID-19 vaccination public information campaign is now rolling out across the country, with an additional $1.3 million provided for peak multicultural organsations to help reach culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Making safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone in Australia is a key priority for the Australia Government. That is why we are extending free access to COVID‑19 vaccines to all visa-holders in Australia.
This will include refugees, asylum seekers, temporary protection visa holders and those on bridging visas. People currently residing in detention facilities will also be eligible, including those whose visas have been cancelled.
We know that Australia is a vaccination nation, and we trust this campaign will provide the assurance and motivation for everyone in Australia to have the COVID-19 vaccination.
A major roundtable was held today involving more than 50 community leaders to discuss how we can partner together in supporting the vaccination rollout.
A comprehensive plan, including communication activities and community engagement strategies, has been developed in partnership with multicultural specialist agencies and, with advice from the national CALD Communities COVID-19 Health Advisory Group, to reach people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The campaign will reach Australians through a range of channels including regular website updates, social media, health professionals and community and grass roots organisations, networks, and the media. It includes advertising in 32 languages across radio, print and social media, and will extend to communities that are harder to reach through traditional channels.
Messages will target specific multicultural groups to ensure everyone in Australia has a full understanding of the vaccination program. Many people working in sectors such as aged care will be in the first groups to be vaccinated and are from CALD communities, and it is critical that they receive translated information that is culturally appropriate.
Translated resources have been developed for multicultural communities, including radio and print editorials, a video development guide for community leaders to film their own videos, in-language web content, social media posts, posters, and newsletter articles. The Department of Health’s vaccine hub also has a translation button for 63 languages available on its website and on mobile devices.
The Government is working with SBS to finalise short videos explaining the vaccine rollout in more than 60 languages, and with the Migration Council of Australia to produce an animated vaccine explainer in 29 languages. These products will be provided to multicultural peak bodies and networks and available online.
As more information becomes available through expert medical advice and complete data sets from clinical trials, the Department will provide timely updates through its multicultural channels.
The Australian Government is confident, given Australia’s current high vaccination rates, everyone able to take up the vaccine will do so in high numbers.
Council Street, Cooks Hill unveiled after $6 million overhaul
City of Newcastle has completed a $6 million upgrade of Council Street with 8,000 new street plants, 18 new trees, additional parking spaces, public art and stormwater improvements at the heart of Cooks Hill’s eat-street.
The project included replacing aged underground drainage with a new stormwater drain, almost three-metres wide, taking rainwater from the local area to Cottage Creek.
Council Street has regularly experienced severe localised flooding during major storms, as it lies at a critical stormwater drainage juncture. The Cottage Creek catchment covers large sections of the city from The Junction and The Hill, as well as Merewether and Hamilton.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade helps to mitigate stormwater flooding in the local area while delivering streetscape improvements and a fun new ‘selfie’ wall mural by local artist Trevor Dickinson.
“City of Newcastle has been working with local residents and businesses on this project for years given the historic flooding issues in the area and it’s fantastic to see this major $6 million upgrade complete,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The community and local business-owners’ input has been critical in making a range of improvements to the area, including stormwater issues, pedestrian safety, vehicle movements and car parking, while creating an appealing, well-functioning streetscape to support local businesses.”
Improved traffic management flow has also been created by removing the roadblock on Council Street to allow one-way traffic to flow through, enhancing the functionality of the street for motorists, pedestrians and to facilitate more active modes of transport with a cycleway.
The new traffic arrangements will improve safety by discouraging illegal U-turns being made at the Darby Street and Council Street intersection and significantly reduce the street crossing distances for pedestrians while delivering seven additional parking spaces.
“Construction of the new drainage was accelerated when COVID-19 led to quieter traffic conditions and restrictions on local businesses. The project team reprogrammed and brought forward the most disruptive works to enable businesses to maximise earning potential when restrictions eased,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Trevor Dickinson’s interactive’ selfie’ mural wall wraps up the project, bringing the new space to life by injecting fun with his use of bold use of colour whilst capturing the character and charm of the area. We look forward to seeing the community and visitors interacting and engaging with the ‘selfie’ mural wall on social media and this new public space.
Anthony Strachan, owner of Darby Street business Three Monkeys Cafe said he has already begun to see the benefits of the $6 million project.
“The renewal of this area is a great thing for local businesses. The better it looks, the more people who are going to come here.
“It’s unreal to see people already enjoying the new street furniture and interacting with the street art.”
NEW AND UPGRADED FIRE TRUCKS ON TRACK TO BE DEPLOYED ACROSS NSW
More than 200 new and upgraded fire trucks and vehicles will be deployed to fire brigades across the State by July 2021, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to our frontline firefighters.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 340 fire trucks and vehicles are being built and upgraded for the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) following the devastating 2019/20 bushfires.
“This program is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring our emergency services personnel and volunteers have the best possible vehicles and equipment when responding to emergencies across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The RFS is working with 19 local businesses to build and upgrade vehicles, creating new jobs across the State including in the Central West, Riverina, Hunter, Mid North Coast, Sutherland Shire and Hawkesbury.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the unprecedented nature of the 2019/20 fire season resulted in a considerable number of the firefighting fleet suffering damage or total loss.
“Last year the NSW Government announced an additional $45 million investment to enhance our firefighting capability. This funding included $34.4 million to almost double the annual new appliance build, which will help protect life, property and support our emergency management personnel,” Mr Elliott said.
“As part of the NSW Government’s RFS fleet enhancement and refurbishment program 23 new and refurbished trucks have already been deployed to some of the most at risk areas across the state.”
NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM said the investment in the fleet program would ensure brigades are equipped to best protect their communities.
“Ensuring our members have the most modern equipment and resources to protect local communities has been, and will remain, a key priority,” Commissioner Rogers said.
“This program will enable brigades to continue their outstanding work and the updates and new technology will ensure our firefighters are safe while undertaking their important roles.”
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) received an additional $5.7 million for 10 new tankers to bolster their bush firefighting fleet.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said the new equipment would help firefighters where it was needed most – on the frontlines.
“We stand with our NSW RFS colleagues in welcoming this new equipment so that our firefighters are as prepared as they can be to meet the constant threats posed by bushfires, other fires and emergencies across NSW,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“We remain prepared for anything, anywhere, anytime in protecting the NSW community and this new equipment will add to our preparedness.”
Man charged following investigations into public place shooting – Wallsend
A man has been charged following investigations into a public place shooting at Wallsend earlier this week.
Just before 2am on Tuesday 2 February 2021, officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to home on Platt Street, Wallsend, after a shot was fired through the front window.
Police attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Three adults and three children were home at the time; however, no injuries have been reported.
About 12.50am yesterday (Wednesday 3 February 2021), officers stopped a stolen Toyota Camry on Lambton Road, Broadmeadow and arrested a 25-year-old male driver and his 22-year-old female passenger.
Officers searched the vehicle and allegedly located a shortened shotgun and ammunition, as well as a small amount cannabis.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority (x2), use unauthorised firearm, not keep firearm safely, intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), receive property stolen outside NSW, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner (x2), drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – 2nd offence.
He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 4 February 2021).
The woman was taken to waratah Police Station where she was issued with a cannabis caution and released.
World Cancer Day 2021: Supporting Australians living with cancer
Today, on World Cancer Day, the Morrison Government recognises the millions of Australians whose lives have been touched by cancer.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates more than 48,000 Australians died from cancer in 2020. This disease has a devastating impact on individuals, their families, friends, colleagues and classmates.
World Cancer Day encourages the world to unite in the fight against the cancer epidemic, with the message that Together, all our actions matter.
The Morrison Government has invested record funding in cancer research – $6.6 billion over four years from 2020–21 to 2023–24, which supports Australia’s best and brightest medical researchers in their fight against cancer.
In addition, more Australians are benefitting from our commitment to listing new, lifesaving and life-changing cancer treatments on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Recent new listings include
- From 1 January 2021, Darzalex® (daratumumab) was listed on the PBS in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, as a second-line treatment for patients with multiple myeloma – a cancer of the plasma cells. Around 1,165 patients per year may benefit from this listing. Without PBS subsidy, patients can pay around $160,000 per year for treatment.
- On the same day, the PBS listing for Tagrisso® (osimertinib) was expanded for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, who have a certain type of mutation in the lungs, known as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) positive. This expansion resulted in a script that previously cost close to $8,000 reduced to as little as $6.60 per script for about 1,120 patients per year.
All Australians can help combat this disease, and one of the best ways is through cancer screening. Cancer screening can help protect your health through early detection, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Simple screening tests look for particular changes and early signs of cancer before it has developed or before any symptoms emerge.
Each year, more than 7.5 million Australians participate in our free national cancer screening programs for bowel, breast and cervical cancers.
The Government asks Australians to make their health a priority on World Cancer Day. Speak to your healthcare provider today to check if you are due or overdue for screening and visit cancerscreening.gov.au for more information about our national cancer screening programs.
Through early detection and treatment, routine cancer screening can lessen the impact of cancer on a personal level and a global scale.
City set to boost live music scene during New Annual festival
More than forty live music events are set to reinvigorate the local COVID-19-disrupted live music industry, during the inaugural New Annual festival in February.
City of Newcastle is investing $20,000 into the Live Music Grant Program (LMGP), which has seen applications from local venues to host live music events across the city during the New Annual festival period between 12-‑21 February.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City looked forward to providing a significant boost to the live music events industry right across the Local Government Area (LGA) and extending support toward local artists as well as the local hospitality industry.
“The Live Music Grant Program is yet another initiative led by the City of Newcastle, sharply focussed on providing real support and promotion of our amazing, world-renowned live music industry and is delivering directly on key objectives of our Live Music Strategy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“A vibrant local live music scene is vital to ensuring Newcastle continues to offer a bustling arts and culture scene, and a lively, diverse and safe night-time economy.
“With an influx of visitors sure to flock to our local venues for the City’s inaugural New Annual festival, we’re very pleased to provide additionally financial support and encouragement to host live music events right across Newcastle.
Ward 4 Councillor Matt Byrne welcomed the strong support for Newcastle’s live music industry, particularly for popular venues throughout the City’s suburbs.
“The two-pronged approach we’re taking will not only provide a boost to local venues financially hit as a result of COVID-19, but also our city’s local musicians and homegrown artists that rely on live music events for their livelihood,” Cr Byrne said.
“The grant program also ensures that funding extends to venues like the Racecourse Hotel at Wallsend, as it’s important that the festival atmosphere is felt right across the LGA to benefit the entire community.”
Racecourse Hotel Manager Jeremy Lowe said the Live Music Grant Program was well received and hopes the grant will help attract New Annual visitors to his venue at Wallsend for multiple live music events held during the month.
“We are excited to receive this financial boost thanks to the City’s grant program, which allows us to become part of the New Annual festival celebrations with the rest of the city by hosting live music events at our hotel,” Mr Lowe said.
“Our community in Wallsend is set to benefit from experiencing quality, homegrown, live entertainment.
“To see and hear live music performed in a hotel that you frequently patronage, it adds to the rich fabric of our community and ensures we are fostering our local talent.”
Visit the New Annual festival website for a full list of live music events and dates.
BOOST ARTS & CULTURE LIVE MUSIC GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS:
Beach Burrito Co – Cooks Hill
Cambridge Hotel – Newcastle West
Jams Karaoke Bar – Newcastle West
Meet Restaurant – Newcastle East
Oriental Hotel – Cooks Hill
Racecourse Hotel – Wallsend
The Duke of Wellington – New Lambton
The Exchange Hotel – Hamilton
The Kent Hotel – Hamilton
The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel – Wickham
The Lucky Hotel – Newcastle East
The Mark Hotel – Lambton
The Rogue Scholar – Newcastle West
The Stag Inn & Hunter Hotel – Mayfield
Wickham Park Hotel – Wickham
Picture caption (Left to Right): Councillor Matthew Byrne, Publican Holly Bidwell, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Racecourse Hotel manager Jeremy Lowe and local musician’s Dave Javier and Gabe Argiris.
SUPPORT FOR NORTHERN BEACHES BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Small businesses that experienced hardship as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions on the Northern Beaches will soon have access to a grants program designed to help them cover unavoidable expenses.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was committed to supporting businesses while keeping people and communities safe.
“The Northern Beaches community and businesses did an outstanding job in helping control the spread of the virus at a critical time and unfortunately that had a material impact on many businesses,” Mr Perrottet said.
“After almost 12 months we continue to battle the impacts of COVID, both in a health sense but also from an economic perspective and that is why we are providing targeted and temporary financial assistance to those impacted by the recent lockdown.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said a new funding program would provide for the roll out of $3,000 and $5,000 hardship grants to eligible Northern Beaches businesses.
“We know some businesses have been hit harder than others, which is why we are taking a tiered approach to these grants,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The first tier of $3,000 is for small businesses that have suffered at least a 30 per cent decline in turnover due to the Northern Beaches lockdown.
“The second tier of $5,000 is for small businesses that have suffered at least a 50 per cent decline in turnover.”
“The grants are designed to cover unavoidable costs for which no other government backing is available such as utilities, rent, financial or legal advice and other activities to support the operation of a business.”
Mr Tudehope thanked local businesses for their resilience and patience and for working with the Small Business Commissioner who undertook a report on the impacts of the restrictions on the Northern Beaches.
In considering the Commissioner’s report, the Government will be implementing the following measures in addition to the $3,000 and $5,000 grants:
- Promotion for the Northern Beaches: to promote local attractions and welcome visitors to the community.
o Industry-specific information on public health restrictions: to assist small businesses impacted by Public Health Orders to better understand their obligations.
o Improved access to existing support: including mental health resources for small business owners on the SafeWork website, Business Connect, and the Small Business Commission’s mediation services team.
o Dine & Discover: Pilot of the program on the Northern Beaches
Minister for Health and Member for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard said while the restrictions had stopped the spread of COVID-19, they had also come at a time when many people would normally celebrate with friends and family.
“As Health Minister and a local I well understand the need for the restrictions but also the impacts on local businesses and residents,” Mr Hazzard said.
“I welcome the financial package which will assist local businesses who have had a tough time while they did what was necessary to help shut down local transmission on the beaches.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said many businesses in the Northern Beaches were now starting the year behind the rest of the state.
“A lot of businesses on the Northern Beaches had their revenue poleaxed at a time they could least afford it – it was a tough time for those in in the northern part of the peninsula who had to endure a three week lock down,” Mr Stokes said.
“This package will definitely help ease the financial strain on those businesses most affected, particularly in the hospitality, lifestyle and retail sectors.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said the package would help cushion the impacts of the lockdown.
“Businesses in Manly would normally have welcomed tens of thousands of people from right across NSW over the Christmas and New Year period. The restrictions placed our local businesses under enormous pressure following what was a very difficult 2020,” Mr Griffin said.
“The NSW Government stands with our small businesses and it is hoped this package will help them cover unavoidable expenses and reduce the financial burden so many are facing right now.”
More information on the grants and how to apply will be made available on the Service NSW website in the coming weeks.
BACKGROUND
Eligibility
Tier One: $3,000 grant
Small businesses and not-for-profits that were subject to the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order 2020 (‘the Northern Beaches Public Health Order’) will be eligible for a one-off $3,000 Northern Beaches Hardship Grant if they:
- Are a non-employing business or a business with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent staff (FTE);
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in, or they can demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in the Northern Beaches Local Government Area (LGA);
- Experienced a decline in turnover of at least 30 per cent due to the Northern Beaches Public Health Order over a minimum two-week period from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the same time last year;
- Have total Australian wages below the NSW Government 2020-21 payroll tax threshold of $1,200,000 as at 1 July 2020;
- Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 as at 1 March 2020; and
- Had unavoidable business costs during the Northern Beaches lockdown (e.g rent), for which there is no other government support available.
Tier Two: $5,000 grant
Small businesses and not-for-profits that were subject to the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order 2020 (‘the Northern Beaches Public Health Order’) will be eligible for a one-off $5,000 Northern Beaches Hardship Grant if they meet all the eligibility criteria for the $3,000 (tier one) grant, except they must:
- Have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 50 per cent due to the Northern Beaches Public Health Order over a minimum two-week period from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the same time last year.
MINISTER ROBERT'S COMMENTS A SMOKESCREEN FOR NDIS 'POWER GRAB': GREENS
Australian Greens DIsability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has labelled comments made this morning by Minister Robert about the NDIS as cynical, misleading and offensive.
“Minister Robert’s comments about our NDIS are deeply concerning and a smokescreen for a much broader power grab from the Morrison government,” Steele-John said.
“If a disabled person who is a participant of the NDIS can show that a support or a service they wish to include in their plan is reasonable or necessary, then the scheme is working as it should.
“It is the very antithesis of the scheme for the Minister have the power to veto – based on his own moral beliefs – the kind of services and supports a disabled person might need in their plan.
“Disabled people across Australia campaigned for decades for the NDIS and its creation – the largest social reform since MediCare – is one of our community’s greatest achievements.
“Since Tony Abbott came into power in 2013, successive Coalition governments have been intent on interfering with, and dismantling, our NDIS through insufficient funding and staffing caps that limit the ability of the scheme to do the job it was designed to do.
“Now with the deeply flawed trial of Compulsory Independent Assessments and negative public commentary – such as we’ve seen today from Minister Robert – on the very foundations of the scheme, we are seeing a blatant public grab for control over the NDIS that will ultimately lead to even more negative outcomes for disabled people.
“We should not have to fight the system that was created to support us. Our NDIS needs to be fixed and disabled people must be at the centre of the conversation because we know what the solutions are.”
Greens call for amendments to News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Media and Communications has announced today the Greens will be seeking amendments to the Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code) Bill 2020.
The Greens will be seeking amendments to the bill that:
- require news organisations to spend the revenue from the Code on resourcing public interest journalism
- require the 12 month review of the Code to report on the impact that the Code is having on small, independent and start up publications
In addition to these amendments, the Greens are calling on the Government to commit to establishing a permanent Public Interest News Gathering Trust, a proposal put forward in the recent Media Reform Green Paper.
“This Code is about supporting public interest journalism, an essential pillar of our democracy. The funds that news organisations receive through the Code should be directed to producing journalism and not lining shareholders pockets.
“Media diversity is essential for public interest journalism, the Code must cover all publishers that contribute to public interest journalism in Australia. We need a 12 month review of the Code that gives a clear picture of the impact this policy change will have on small, independent and start up news media publications.
“We cannot have media diversity in Australia without a news wire service. While funding received from the PING fund has supported AAP in the short-term, the long-term stability of the news wire is still at risk. To protect public interest journalism, the Government must step up and provide long-term funding for AAP to secure their future.
“The establishment of a permanent PING Trust would provide ongoing support for not only AAP but also other essential public interest news gathering organisations including small and independent publishers.”
Australian Government must suspend all military ties with Myanmar
Greens Senators Janet Rice and Jordon Steele-John have called on the Australian Government to immediately suspend all military ties with Myanmar, and impose targeted sanctions on General Min Aung Hlaing and others involved in yesterday’s coup.
The Australian Greens also urge the Myanmar military to respect democratic norms and immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and others who have been unlawfully detained.
Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson said:
“The Australian Greens are incredibly concerned at the declaration of emergency law by the Myanmar military, and the unlawful detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other individuals.
“The November 2020 general elections reflect the will of the people of Myanmar to keep building democratic traditions and norms, and must be respected. The Greens urge the Myanmar military to release those that have been detained, and to cease interference with election outcomes and democratic transition.
“The Australian Government must turn their concern into action. Australia must scrap all military ties with Myanmar until democratic processes have been restored, and impose targeted sanctions on General Min Aung Hlaing and all others involved in this action by the military.
“The Australian Government should also accept any political refugees from Myanmar seeking protection in Australia.”
Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Peace spokesperson said:
“Given the Military Coup that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Australian Defence Forces must immediately suspend their military relationship with Myanmar.
“Since Myanmar began its transition to fragile democracy a little over a decade ago, Australian Defence forces have been strengthening ties with Myanmar’s military by providing training in non-combat areas, humanitarian and disaster relief and english-language services.
“The deadly crackdown on the Rohingya in 2017 has stretched this relationship to breaking point and with the events of the last 48 hours, it is clear there can be no more military cooperation until the situation in Myanmar is resolved.”