Australian Greens Senator for NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed today’s news that class action participants have reached a settlement of $212.5 million with the government over PFAS contamination, though has labelled the recent government response to the federal PFAS inquiry as extremely disappointing.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This huge settlement is welcome news for residents who have pushed for the class action. It points to the serious loss experienced by affected communities, and will go some way to alleviating the damage.
“However, there are many who have been affected by PFAS contamination, who the government has left out in the cold.
“In light of the settlement, it’s extremely disappointing that in its long-awaited inquiry response, the government has refused to commit to even considering compensation for all affected property owners, including through possible buybacks.
“‘Polluter pays’ is a basic principle of environmental law and justice. The onus should not be on victims to fight for justice when their lives have been upended.
“The government says it supports resolution of legal claims “by agreement, not litigation, where appropriate”. Well, let’s see them come to the table.
“The nation-wide damage wrought by toxic PFAS chemicals has been extensive and people have suffered for too long.
“After residents have waited more than 15 months for the government response to the report, this document is lukewarm, non-committal, and in some aspects completely disrespectful.
“I will continue to work with the community and in parliament to keep this issue front and centre, until the government prioritises needs of the affected communities.”
Author: admin
Greens to introduce law for 14 days coronavirus leave for all effected workers
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said that when parliament resumes, the Greens will introduce legislation to provide 14 days’ paid sick leave to all workers affected by the coronavirus. The ACTU has called for 2 weeks paid sick leave for workers affected by the virus.
The Fair Work Amendment (COVID 19) Bill will mean the 3.3 million workers currently without paid leave entitlements will be able to access paid sick leave if affected by the virus, and will also ensure workers with leave provisions are not forced to exhaust their sick leave balances if their company temporarily closes because of the virus.
The bill would cover workers diagnosed with COVID 19, those required to self-isolate or who are caring for a family member affected by the virus. Workers whose workplace temporarily closes because of the virus will also be covered.
“The Morrison government must not leave Australian workers to fend for themselves during this crisis,” Mr Bandt said.
“Workers should be able to follow government advice to self-isolate without losing their income or their job.
“If we don’t pass this bill, coronavirus could spread faster because workers without paid sick leave who are affected by the virus may feel pressured to come to work instead of staying home.
“The government should urgently make this change to the law and then use their stimulus package to help small and medium businesses meet the additional costs.”
“If the government won’t act, the Greens will, and we’ll dare them to vote on the floor of Parliament against supporting workers.”
Economic Stimulus Package
The Morrison Government has today announced a $17.6 billion economic plan to keep Australians in jobs, keep businesses in business and support households and the Australian economy as the world deals with the significant challenges posed by the spread of the coronavirus.
Our targeted stimulus package is focused on keeping Australians in jobs and helping small and medium sized businesses to stay in business.
The package has four parts:
Our targeted stimulus package is focused on keeping Australians in jobs and helping small and medium sized businesses to stay in business.
The package has four parts:
- Supporting business investment
- Providing cash flow assistance to help small and medium sized business to stay in business and keep their employees in jobs
- Targeted support for the most severely affected sectors, regions and communities;
- Household stimulus payments that will benefit the wider economy
The measures are all temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face. Our actions will ensure we respond to the immediate challenges we face and help Australia bounce back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the Budget.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as part of the plan up to 6.5 million individuals and 3.5 million businesses would be directly supported by the package.
“Just as we have acted decisively to protect the health of the Australian people, based on the best evidence and medical advice, our support package responds to the economic challenges presented by this pandemic in a timely, proportionate and targeted way,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our plan will back Australian households with a stimulus payment to boost growth, bolster domestic confidence and consumption, reduce cash flow pressures for businesses and support new investments to lift productivity.
“Australia is not immune to the global coronavirus challenge but we have already taken steps to prepare for this looming international economic crisis.
“We’ve balanced the budget and managed our economy so we can now use this to protect the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of Australians.
“Our targeted stimulus package will focus on keeping Australians in jobs and keeping businesses in business so we can bounce back strongly.
“The economy needs temporary help right now to bounce back better so the livelihoods of all Australians are protected.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Australia is approaching the economic challenge from the Coronavirus from a position of strength with IMF and the OECD both forecasting Australia to grow faster than comparable countries including the UK, Canada, Japan, Germany and France.
“Our plan keeps businesses operating, supports jobs and provides a stimulus to households,” the Treasurer said.
“The Government has worked hard over the last six and a half years to return the budget to balance so we have the flexibility to respond to the serious economic challenges posed by the Coronavirus.”
“Given Australia’s strong economic and fiscal position, the international credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s indicated that temporary stimulus would be “unlikely to strain Australia’s creditworthiness.
“In our response, we have been very careful not to repeat the mistakes of previous stimulus programs and not undermine the structural integrity of the budget.
“Today’s announcement will provide the support businesses need to stay in business and keep Australians in a job.
“By acting decisively this package will put Australia in the strongest possible position to deal with the economic challenges we face and to make sure our economy bounces back even stronger.”
DELIVERING SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT
- $700 million to increase the instant asset write off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expand access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million) until 30 June 2020. For example, assets that may be able to be immediately written off are a concrete tank for a builder, a tractor for a farming business, and a truck for a delivery business.
- $3.2 billion to back business investment by providing a time limited 15 month investment incentive (through to 30 June 2021) to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions. Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct an additional 50 per cent of the asset cost in the year of purchase.
These measures start today and will support over 3.5 million businesses (over 99 per cent of businesses) employing more than 9.7 million employees or 3 in every 4 workers. The measures are designed to support business sticking with investment they had planned, and encouraging them to bring investment forward to support economic growth over the short term.
CASH FLOW ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES
- $6.7 billion to Boost Cash Flow for Employers by up to $25,000 with a minimum payment of $2,000 for eligible small and medium-sized businesses. The payment will provide cash flow support to businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million that employ staff, between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2020. The payment will be tax free. This measure will benefit around 690,000 businesses employing around 7.8 million people. Businesses will receive payments of 50 per cent of their Business Activity Statements or Instalment Activity Statement from 28 April with refunds to then be paid within 14 days.
- $1.3 billion to support small businesses to support the jobs of around 120,000 apprentices and trainees. Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer that employs that apprentice.
STIMULUS PAYMENTS TO HOUSEHOLDS TO SUPPORT GROWTH
- $4.8 billion to provide a one-off $750 stimulus payment to pensioners, social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. Around half of those that will benefit are pensioners. The payment will be tax free and will not count as income for Social Security, Farm Household Allowance and Veteran payments. There will be one payment per eligible recipient. If a person qualifies for the one off payment in multiple ways, they will only receive one payment.
Payments will be from 31 March 2020 on a progressive basis, with over 90 per cent of payments expected to be made by mid-April.
ASSISTANCE FOR SEVERELY-AFFECTED REGIONS
- $1 billion to support those sectors, regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus, including those heavily reliant on industries such as tourism, agriculture and education. This will include the waiver of fees and charges for tourism businesses that operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Commonwealth National Parks. It will also include additional assistance to help businesses identify alternative export markets or supply chains. Targeted measures will also be developed to further promote domestic tourism. Further plans and measures to support recovery will be designed and delivered in partnership with the affected industries and communities.
The Government is also offering administrative relief for certain tax obligations, including deferring tax payments up to four months. This is similar to relief provided following the bushfires for taxpayers affected by the coronavirus, on a case-by-case basis. The ATO will set up a temporary shop front in Cairns within the next few weeks with dedicated staff specialising in assisting small business. In addition, the ATO will consider ways to enhance its presence in other significantly affected regions to make it easier for people to apply for relief, including considering further temporary shop fronts and face-to-face options.
The Government’s economic support package is proportionate, timely and scalable to respond to the economic challenges presented by the spread of the coronavirus.
Through our response today and the actions we have taken to bring the Budget back to balance over the last six and a half years, Australians can be confident that our nation is one of the best prepared to respond to the economic impacts of the coronavirus.
Paul Jennings display calls library in world first
The haunted dunny from children’s book Round the Twist and Paul Jennings’ colourful sea creature in The Fisherman and the Theefyspray are among characters and scenes in a new exhibition inspired by the famous writer.
A magical, immersive world expressed through Jennings’ writings will be presented at Newcastle Library’s Lovett Gallery in the form of sculptures, interpretative panels and various illustrations from his books.
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Named for his 1985 bestseller, the Paul Jennings: UNREAL! exhibition will be displayed for the first time away from the Warrnambool Art Gallery when hosted in Newcastle from Friday night.
“Paul Jennings AM is one of Australia’s best loved storytellers whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide, won countless awards and been turned into hit television series,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“I know many parents who grew up loving the stories of Paul Jennings and I hope that they have passed this love onto their children.
“Unreal will appeal to children and parents alike and the exhibition will serve as a celebration of Jennings’ work for Newcastle families.
“So far, more than 2,000 students are scheduled to visit school workshops, which are still available.
“The City of Newcastle invests around $15 million in delivering cultural facilities in our city year in year out and the Library plays a vital role in telling our stories and showcasing wonderful Australian talent like Paul Jennings.”
The English-born writer has sold more than 10 million books worldwide in 18 different languages, with his characteristic series of events ending with a twist to resonate across cultures.
The Library launch on Friday 13 March includes performances from local artists, craft activities and access to the exhibition.
Many of the items on display are privately owned by Jennings, a Warrnambool resident, and other individuals.
Jennings’ books are available in print, audio and e-books from Newcastle Libraries.
Current programming scheduled for the duration of the exhibition includes school excursions, school holiday programs and professional development opportunities for teachers and librarians.
Novel Coronavirus
The safety of our communities, customers and staff is our top priority.
City of Newcastle is following advise from the NSW Government on the recent outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). We take advice on all public health matters from the state and federal health departments.
Our staff are monitoring developments daily and assessing any potential impact on city services and events.
We aim to maintain our current level of service to residents and businesses during this period.
All staff have been reminded to practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water, and using alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Council is committed to our community’s safety and whilst the risk is currently very low, we ask residents to take precautions.
Feeling unwell?
If you develop a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of overseas travel, seek medical attention.
More information is available on the NSW Health website and www.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus websites.
MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO TACKLE LOCAL LITTER
The NSW Government is calling on councils, hospitals, universities and other community and industry groups to apply for more than $1 million worth of grants to tackle litter in their local area.
Environment Minister Matt Kean announced two grants, including the first grant aimed at tackling cigarette butts are open to applications until 14 April.
A total of $1.17 million – comprising $670,000 for Round 6 of the Community Litter Grants and $500,000 for the inaugural Cigarette Butt Litter Prevention Grants – is available to councils, businesses and organisations to implement litter prevention projects in their areas.
“Our community groups and councils are fantastic partners to assist with tackling litter. It is local communities who know their litter hotspots and can develop practical and effective solutions,” Mr Kean said.
“More than 200 projects have been funded so far under the litter prevention grant program with incredible results – some projects have recorded up to 80 per cent reduction in litter in their targeted hotspot.
“I want to encourage any community group, council or business that wants to get rid of a litter problem in their area to apply for one of these grants.”
The community grants can be used to fund a number of litter initiatives including community education and engagement, clean-ups, new bins, promoting programs aimed at addressing littering, and strengthening the capacity of environmental groups working in the sector.
“These grants will enable the community to take the action they want to see in their suburbs,” Mr Kean said.
“Cigarettes butts are consistently the most littered item in NSW every year. I look forward to seeing innovative projects to help reduce the millions of butts littered each year and by doing so, cleaning up our environment.”
More information about the NSW EPA Litter Grants program is available at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/litter-program
Origin Energy backing Netball NSW Premier League
The Netball NSW Premier League is delighted to welcome Origin Energy on board as the official naming-rights partner of the competition for 2020 and beyond.
The Origin Energy Premier League, as it will now be known, is the pinnacle netball competition in NSW, showcasing the best current and emerging talent within the state.
It offers a local, elite platform for players, coaches, officials and administrators – providing bridging opportunities to the Deakin University Australian Netball League and subsequently, Suncorp Super Netball.
This year will be the competition’s fifth season with two additional franchises – Capital Spirit and South Coast Blaze – joining the eight foundation teams: Central Coast Heart, ERNA Hawks, GWS Fury, Manly Warringah Sapphires, North Shore United, Panthers Netball, Sutherland Stingrays and UTS Randwick Sparks.
All franchises will field teams in the Opens and Under 23s Divisions with two sets of champions crowned after 18 regular-season rounds and Finals Series. Over the four years the competition has been running all original franchises have being crowned champions at least once in either the U20/23s* or Opens, highlighting the competitive nature of the league.
BarTV Sports will again be on deck for the 2020 season, and will live stream six games weekly, as well as Finals, on Netball NSW’s social platforms and the competition website.
Origin Energy recently joined the netball family as naming-right partners of the Australian Diamonds and community partners of the game across the country, including NSW. Origin will also support GIANTS Netball as major partners.
Carolyn Campbell, CEO of Netball NSW, said the Premier League was the ideal competition for Origin Energy to get behind.
“The Premier League is the top competition that Netball NSW runs, with many of the players, coaches and officials involved going on to reach Suncorp Super Netball and international level,” she said.
“The teams and organisation invest a huge amount into it and in Origin Energy we have a partner who shares the vision we have for this competition.
“That we are able to expand the number of teams and grow the competition’s footprint after just four years shows how far it has come, and we are delighted to have Origin with us as we take it to the next level.
“Netball has elite pathways, and has done for decades, and they are vital to us maintaining our position as the No.1 sport for women and young girls across the state and country. The Origin Energy Premier League is a key component of those pathways.”
Origin Energy CEO, Frank Calabria said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Netball Australia to support a much-loved Australian sport and players at all levels across the country – from local clubs right through to the world-leading Australian Diamonds.
“Netball clubs are such an important part of our local communities, and Origin is excited to be working with Netball Australia to support the players, coaches, umpires and volunteers that are the lifeblood of the sport.”
*The Under 23s Division ran as an Under 20s competition from 2016 to 2018.
Greens launch plan for mass housing construction to stave off recession
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP and Housing Spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi have today launched a bold plan to build 500,000 new homes, create 40,000 new jobs and 4,000 new apprenticeships, and push back the risk of recession nationally.
With construction having fallen 7.4% over the year, and with nearly one in three young people struggling to find work, this project will inject crucially needed stimulus into the economy while putting homes into reach for young families.
Each year, 40,000 new public housing homes would be built, all from sustainable materials: meeting 7 Star NatHERS ratings, with efficient heating and cooling, and attached solar to bring down power bills.
This initiative is a leading component of the Green New Deal – a plan to solve the climate and economic crises, while creating long-term jobs in future-proof industries.
Adam Bandt, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“With coronavirus and the climate crisis smashing our economy, we’re heading towards a cliff but Scott Morrison is refusing to grab the steering wheel.
“We’re heading towards a recession and Australia needs a construction-led stimulus that fixes the housing crisis and helps young people find decent jobs.
“The Green New Deal helps everyone get a roof over their head while providing jobs and training, clearing public housing waitlists, and stimulating our slowing economy.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are on public housing waiting lists or homeless because governments haven’t built new dwellings for years, but now is the right time for the government to fix the problem while keeping us out of recession.
“Each one of these half a million homes will be built by the next generation of tradies and apprentices, and require materials sourced from businesses around the country. Every single plank, wall, and step will create jobs and put money back into local communities and into Australian’s bank accounts.
“Australia would be a very different country without the massive construction programs that pulled us out of the GFC in 2008. With a recession looming, we need to kickstart the economy through investment in services and infrastructure that will improve people’s day to day lives.
“There’s never been a better time to do this. With interest rates at a historic low, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Australia has wasted enough time waiting for developers to save the day, and it’s time our government got back in the driver’s seat.”
Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Housing Spokesperson said:
“Just like Medicare and our public school system, everyone should have access to housing. By building more publicly-owned homes, we can guarantee an affordable, good quality home to people for life.
“The Federal Government must show leadership in tackling the housing crisis by making an unprecedented investment in housing. Half a million new high-quality and sustainable homes will make a huge difference to families around the country.
“No one should be without a home. The Greens plan will make sure there are enough affordable homes for everyone to have a decent and safe place to live.
“With this plan, we can solve the housing crisis, create thousands of construction jobs and build a more equal society all at once. That’s what the Green New Deal is all about.”
Landmark PFAS Settlement Welcomed While Government Response To Inquiry Disappoints
Australian Greens Senator for NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed today’s news that class action participants have reached a settlement of $212.5 million with the government over PFAS contamination, though has labelled the recent government response to the federal PFAS inquiry as extremely disappointing.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This huge settlement is welcome news for residents who have pushed for the class action. It points to the serious loss experienced by affected communities, and will go some way to alleviating the damage.
“However, there are many who have been affected by PFAS contamination, who the government has left out in the cold.
“In light of the settlement, it’s extremely disappointing that in its long-awaited inquiry response, the government has refused to commit to even considering compensation for all affected property owners, including through possible buybacks.
“‘Polluter pays’ is a basic principle of environmental law and justice. The onus should not be on victims to fight for justice when their lives have been upended.
“The government says it supports resolution of legal claims “by agreement, not litigation, where appropriate”. Well, let’s see them come to the table.
“The nation-wide damage wrought by toxic PFAS chemicals has been extensive and people have suffered for too long.
“After residents have waited more than 15 months for the government response to the report, this document is lukewarm, non-committal, and in some aspects completely disrespectful.
“I will continue to work with the community and in parliament to keep this issue front and centre, until the government prioritises needs of the affected communities.”
$2.4 Billion Health Plan to Fight COVID-19
The Australian Government has unveiled a comprehensive $2.4 billion health package to protect all Australians, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly, those with chronic conditions and Indigenous communities, from the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The package provides unprecedented support across primary care, aged care, hospitals, research and the national medical stockpile.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was ensuring Australia’s health system was well-prepared and had the resources it needed to fight coronavirus and protect the community.
“Australia isn’t immune but with this $2.4 billion boost we’re as well prepared as any country in the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“This package is about preventing and treating coronavirus in the coming weeks.
“Our medical experts have been preparing for an event like this for years and this is the next step up in Australia’s plan.
“Our Government alongside the country’s leading medical experts is working around the clock to ensure we have the right tools, information and resources to keep Australians safe.”
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the Government was boosting the capacity of the health system to effectively assess, diagnose and treat people with COVID-19 in a way that minimises spread of the disease in the community.
“We are ensuring people can access essential care in a way that reduces their potential exposure to infection. This includes support for telehealth, primary care and medical supplies,” Minister Hunt said.
Primary care
$100 million will fund a new Medicare service for people in home isolation or quarantine, as a result coronavirus, to receive health consultations via the phone or video such as FaceTime or Skype.
The telehealth service will help contain the spread of the virus and it will be bulk-billed at no cost to patients and will be available from Friday 13 March.
These telehealth consultation services will be provided by doctors, both GPs and specialists, nurses and mental health allied health workers and will also be available under Medicare for people aged over 70, people with chronic diseases, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50, people who are immunocompromised, pregnant people and new parents with babies.
These people are at greater risk from the virus and treatment home will minimise their risk of exposure. This will be available to these groups for non-coronavirus consultations as a general health measure.
The Government will provide $25 million to fund home medicines services which will enable patients to have their PBS prescriptions filled online or remotely, and have the medicines delivered to their home.
This service will be available for people in home isolation and for vulnerable patient groups.
All pharmacies with e-prescribing will be eligible to participate in the home medicines services and patients will continue to retain choice in their preferred community pharmacy.
To support GPs and pharmacies, the Government will fast track the rollout of electronic prescribing across Australia with funding of $5 million.
Patients will have access to services via the GP, telehealth, the national hotline, state hotlines, dedicated respiratory clinics and hospitals.
The national triage phone line will therefore be expanded with an additional $50.7 million in funding, operating 24/7 to provide advice to patients.
The free-call hotline will advise people on the best course of action depending on their symptoms and risks. Medical staff will direct people to the nearest hospital or respiratory clinic, or advise them to stay home and self-monitor, or contact their GP.
People who are not severely ill with COVID-19 – 80 per cent of people will have a mild illness – will be directed to GPs or a network of well-resourced GP-led respiratory clinics.
The Government is investing $206.7 million for up to 100 dedicated respiratory clinics. The Primary Health Networks will co-ordinate with the AMA, RACGP and states and territories to identify areas of need. The clinics will be a one-stop-shop for people who are concerned they may have the virus, to be tested and isolated from other patients.
People living and working in remote locations, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, will benefit from increased capacity to prevent outbreaks, including the tools to proactively screen visitors and fly-in, fly-out workers, additional support to evacuate early cases if required, and mobile respiratory clinics to quickly respond to outbreaks where there is no hospital or available health service. $58.7 million will be provided to support these functions.
The Government will establish dedicated Medicare funded and bulk billed pathology test for COVID-19. This is expected to cost $170.2 million and patients will also receive both the COVID-19 and flu test. Funding will also be provided for pathology testing to be conducted in aged care facilities.
Aged care
Senior Australians will be protected through a major funding boost of $101.2 million to educate and train aged care workers in infection control, and enable aged care providers to hire extra nurses and aged care workers for both residential and home care.
Additional aged care staff will be available for deployment to facilities as needed, where an urgent health response is required and to provide extra support for staff and training.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will receive additional funding to work with providers on improving infection control.
Hospitals
The Government has already announced $500 million in funding for the states and territories for COVID-19. The Commonwealth will pay for half of all additional costs incurred by states and territories in diagnosing and treating patients with COVID-19, or suspected of having the disease, and efforts to minimise the spread of the disease. This will be provided on a 50-50 basis for state health COVID-19 activities both within and outside hospitals.
The funding, beginning with an initial upfront payment of $100 million from the Commonwealth, is over and above ongoing public hospitals funding to the states and territories under the National Health Reform Agreement. The funding will be uncapped and demand driven.
Research
The Government will allocate $30 million from the Medical Research Future Fund for vaccine, anti-viral and respiratory medicine research. This will enable Australian researchers to be at the forefront of the drive to develop both treatments and a vaccine.
National Support for Ongoing Response
Ensuring Australia has sufficient medicines, face masks and other personal protective equipment is crucial to the COVID-19 response. Funding of $1.1 billion will ensure patients and critical health care staff have face masks, and other protective equipment such as surgical gowns, goggles and hand sanitiser for health professionals.
This funding will also be used to purchase antibiotics and antivirals for the National Medical Stockpile, so that patients who experience secondary infection as a result of COVID-19 can be treated quickly, and health effects minimised.
The Government will also invest $30 million in infection control training and programs for health and aged care workers.
Communication
$30 million will deliver a new national communications campaign – across all media – to provide people with practical advice on how they can play their part in containing the virus and staying healthy.
The campaign will keep the health and aged care industry informed, including providing up to date clinical guidance, triaging and caring for patients, development of an app and advice to workers in looking after their own safety.
The information will be based on the most up to date medical advice and will be targeted at the entire community as well as high risk groups and in up to 20 languages.
The package provides unprecedented support across primary care, aged care, hospitals, research and the national medical stockpile.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was ensuring Australia’s health system was well-prepared and had the resources it needed to fight coronavirus and protect the community.
“Australia isn’t immune but with this $2.4 billion boost we’re as well prepared as any country in the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“This package is about preventing and treating coronavirus in the coming weeks.
“Our medical experts have been preparing for an event like this for years and this is the next step up in Australia’s plan.
“Our Government alongside the country’s leading medical experts is working around the clock to ensure we have the right tools, information and resources to keep Australians safe.”
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the Government was boosting the capacity of the health system to effectively assess, diagnose and treat people with COVID-19 in a way that minimises spread of the disease in the community.
“We are ensuring people can access essential care in a way that reduces their potential exposure to infection. This includes support for telehealth, primary care and medical supplies,” Minister Hunt said.
Primary care
$100 million will fund a new Medicare service for people in home isolation or quarantine, as a result coronavirus, to receive health consultations via the phone or video such as FaceTime or Skype.
The telehealth service will help contain the spread of the virus and it will be bulk-billed at no cost to patients and will be available from Friday 13 March.
These telehealth consultation services will be provided by doctors, both GPs and specialists, nurses and mental health allied health workers and will also be available under Medicare for people aged over 70, people with chronic diseases, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50, people who are immunocompromised, pregnant people and new parents with babies.
These people are at greater risk from the virus and treatment home will minimise their risk of exposure. This will be available to these groups for non-coronavirus consultations as a general health measure.
The Government will provide $25 million to fund home medicines services which will enable patients to have their PBS prescriptions filled online or remotely, and have the medicines delivered to their home.
This service will be available for people in home isolation and for vulnerable patient groups.
All pharmacies with e-prescribing will be eligible to participate in the home medicines services and patients will continue to retain choice in their preferred community pharmacy.
To support GPs and pharmacies, the Government will fast track the rollout of electronic prescribing across Australia with funding of $5 million.
Patients will have access to services via the GP, telehealth, the national hotline, state hotlines, dedicated respiratory clinics and hospitals.
The national triage phone line will therefore be expanded with an additional $50.7 million in funding, operating 24/7 to provide advice to patients.
The free-call hotline will advise people on the best course of action depending on their symptoms and risks. Medical staff will direct people to the nearest hospital or respiratory clinic, or advise them to stay home and self-monitor, or contact their GP.
People who are not severely ill with COVID-19 – 80 per cent of people will have a mild illness – will be directed to GPs or a network of well-resourced GP-led respiratory clinics.
The Government is investing $206.7 million for up to 100 dedicated respiratory clinics. The Primary Health Networks will co-ordinate with the AMA, RACGP and states and territories to identify areas of need. The clinics will be a one-stop-shop for people who are concerned they may have the virus, to be tested and isolated from other patients.
People living and working in remote locations, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, will benefit from increased capacity to prevent outbreaks, including the tools to proactively screen visitors and fly-in, fly-out workers, additional support to evacuate early cases if required, and mobile respiratory clinics to quickly respond to outbreaks where there is no hospital or available health service. $58.7 million will be provided to support these functions.
The Government will establish dedicated Medicare funded and bulk billed pathology test for COVID-19. This is expected to cost $170.2 million and patients will also receive both the COVID-19 and flu test. Funding will also be provided for pathology testing to be conducted in aged care facilities.
Aged care
Senior Australians will be protected through a major funding boost of $101.2 million to educate and train aged care workers in infection control, and enable aged care providers to hire extra nurses and aged care workers for both residential and home care.
Additional aged care staff will be available for deployment to facilities as needed, where an urgent health response is required and to provide extra support for staff and training.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will receive additional funding to work with providers on improving infection control.
Hospitals
The Government has already announced $500 million in funding for the states and territories for COVID-19. The Commonwealth will pay for half of all additional costs incurred by states and territories in diagnosing and treating patients with COVID-19, or suspected of having the disease, and efforts to minimise the spread of the disease. This will be provided on a 50-50 basis for state health COVID-19 activities both within and outside hospitals.
The funding, beginning with an initial upfront payment of $100 million from the Commonwealth, is over and above ongoing public hospitals funding to the states and territories under the National Health Reform Agreement. The funding will be uncapped and demand driven.
Research
The Government will allocate $30 million from the Medical Research Future Fund for vaccine, anti-viral and respiratory medicine research. This will enable Australian researchers to be at the forefront of the drive to develop both treatments and a vaccine.
National Support for Ongoing Response
Ensuring Australia has sufficient medicines, face masks and other personal protective equipment is crucial to the COVID-19 response. Funding of $1.1 billion will ensure patients and critical health care staff have face masks, and other protective equipment such as surgical gowns, goggles and hand sanitiser for health professionals.
This funding will also be used to purchase antibiotics and antivirals for the National Medical Stockpile, so that patients who experience secondary infection as a result of COVID-19 can be treated quickly, and health effects minimised.
The Government will also invest $30 million in infection control training and programs for health and aged care workers.
Communication
$30 million will deliver a new national communications campaign – across all media – to provide people with practical advice on how they can play their part in containing the virus and staying healthy.
The campaign will keep the health and aged care industry informed, including providing up to date clinical guidance, triaging and caring for patients, development of an app and advice to workers in looking after their own safety.
The information will be based on the most up to date medical advice and will be targeted at the entire community as well as high risk groups and in up to 20 languages.