Category: Australian News

The Federal Coalition Government has invested more than $32,000 through the Deafness Forum of Australia to promote World Hearing Day today, to raise awareness about preventing hearing loss and promoting heathy ear care across Australia.

Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented, including hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds.

“As a doctor practising in regional Australia for three decades I saw the burden of preventable hearing loss in the community—for the individual and their families. It’s life changing and there ways everyone can protect their hearing,” Dr Gillespie said.

“About 3.6 million people—or one in six Australians experience some form of hearing impairment and for a third of these people, their hearing loss could have been prevented.”

Dr Gillespie said this year’s theme – To hear for life, listen with care – encouraged people to think about how they can listen safely in all situations, every day.

Dr Gillespie said the Federal Coalition Government is committed to raising awareness about hearing health and ensuring people have the information they need to avoid preventable hearing loss.

“To help achieve this, the Government has provided $32,500 to Deafness Forum of Australia to promote World Hearing Day 2022 across mainstream and social media channels nationally.

“This funding will get the message out to help people avoid preventable hearing loss and to take appropriate actions to help save their hearing.”

Supporting World Hearing Day and raising awareness about hearing health was identified as a key action under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Roadmap for Hearing Health.

This funding is in addition to the $21.2 million committed to implementing this Roadmap announced in the 2020 Budget.

Also coinciding with Hearing Awareness Week, is the online Rural and Regional Hearing Healthcare Workforce Summit on 3 and 4 March, which Dr Gillespie addressed today.

The summit will explore current and projected hearing workforce issues to inform future service planning and delivery in rural, regional and remote Australia.

The Federal Government funded the summit in support of the Roadmap for Hearing Health. 

An Albanese Labor Government will cut power bills for households, and reduce emissions, by installing an initial five community batteries across Perth. 
 
More than one in three Western Australian households have installed rooftop solar panels.
 
But very few have a battery, because it’s still too expensive. This means families aren’t getting the full benefits of rooftop solar, and it’s putting pressure on our electricity grid.
 
That’s why Labor will install an initial five community batteries across Perth: in Coogee, Dianella, Kinross, Port Kennedy and Stratton.
 
This commitment will allow local households to feed solar power into the shared battery during the day and draw from it at night – cutting electricity bills and emissions, and reducing pressure on the grid.
 
Local households who might be unable to install solar, like renters and people living in apartments, will also be able to draw from excess energy stored in the battery. 
 
Up to one in two households in these areas have rooftop solar. The areas have been selected in consultation with the WA Government.
 
All WA communities will be able to apply for a battery under Labor’s Power to the People plan, which will invest $200 million to install 400 community batteries across the country.
 
In WA, Power to the People will build on the trials already led by Western Power and Synergy.  
 
This is part of Labor’s Powering Australia policy to cut power bills, reduce emissions and create jobs by boosting renewable energy.
 
In contrast, after nine years of energy policy chaos under the Liberals, Scott Morrison is focussed on photo-ops and marketing tricks – and attacking Western Australians.
  
Communities across WA deserve better – an Albanese Labor Government that will cut power bills and work for a better future for all Australians. 

The Morrison Government is improving the participant experience for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with easier access to assistive technology.

Minister for the NDIS Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC has announced an increase in the upper limit for automatic approval of assistive technology (AT) purchases. This limit has now increased from $5,000 to $15,000.

“I have listened closely to participants and their representatives, and what they have told me is they want a Scheme which is more person focused, with less red tape,” Minister Reynolds said.

“This is another example of the Morrison Government’s commitment to improving the NDIS and improving the participant’s experience.”

The changes will also assist many participants who currently have quotable AT under $15,000 in their plans. The NDIA will automatically approve the funding for these items so participants can access this AT faster.

This new measure is still subject to the necessary checks and balances to maintain the integrity of the scheme.

The most commonly purchased AT within the $15,000 price range includes manual wheelchairs, specialty beds and bathroom chairs/stools.

The NDIA has summarised these changes in an updated guideline and new participant factsheet, setting out what evidence participants need to provide and what to do before buying AT.

The NDIA has also created a new guideline and template on vehicle modifications and driving supports, which includes simpler and clearer information. These will help participants work with assessors to provide evidence for vehicle modification support requests over $15,000.

A new support package for flood-affected communities across New South Wales will be released today to support farmers, businesses and local councils to recover and rebuild.

This initial $434.7 million of funding from the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments will be provided to support communities clean up and remove damage and debris, as well as further support local government areas (LGAs) that have been flood-affected.

Grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers and up to $50,000 for small businesses and not for profit organisations devastated by flooding will soon be available through NSW Government agencies, with registration now open through Service NSW. This program will be demand driven.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this package is just the first phase of the financial support that will support communities in need.

“We will be there to help farmers, small businesses and every community in New South Wales to get back on their feet as soon as possible when flood waters recede,” the Prime Minister said.

“Farmers will need to restock and rebuild and small businesses will need help replacing damaged goods and shop fronts, and when more support is needed, more support will be given.

“I have already asked the New South Wales Premier to provide my Government with a proposal for a second support package to ensure all communities get the support they need.

“We are working with Queensland on what support will be made available under Category D funding, ensuring communities receive the funding they require to rebuild, and my Government has requested a proposal of projects from the Queensland Government.

“This initial package is in addition to the federally funded $1,000 disaster relief payment and the 13-week income replacement for employees and small business, which to date has already paid out almost $63 million in a matter of days.”

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government stood ready to support communities hit hard by the floods across the State.

“We activated these measures during the 2021 floods, and we have done so again – they are large grants that will get much-needed funds to people quickly to provide some relief and assistance,” Premier Perrottet said.

“We know these supports will have an immediate positive effect and I would encourage anyone in NSW impacted by these awful floods to please contact Service NSW and find out what you are eligible for.”

Seventeen LGAs have been declared as disaster areas and are eligible for support through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said the activation of extraordinary Category D grant assistance under the DRFA was vital to help kick start the recovery of affected primary producers and small businesses.

“The Commonwealth and NSW Governments are focused on giving small businesses and not-for-profits the tools they need to clean-up, rebuild and keep operating,” Minister McKenzie said.

“We will continue to work with the NSW Government to roll out ongoing targeted support for communities impacted by these devastating storms and floods.”

New South Wales Deputy Premier Paul Toole said a phased approach to support was being adopted to ensure communities had the resources and support they needed at every stage from response to recovery.

“We know it’s going to be a long road to recovery for many of our regional communities and this targeted funding will ensure they get immediate assistance as well as in the weeks and months ahead,” Deputy Premier Toole said.

“In addition to the funding now available, Service NSW offers a one-stop shop for all information and support on disaster assistance by phoning 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au.”

New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the mass clean-up is already underway and recovery grants have been designed to kick-start recovery.

“Many areas are still in the emergency phase and many more are unfortunately at risk of flooding. We are focused on delivering as much support as possible to impacted communities right across the State,” Ms Cooke said.

“While the acute response continues, we are working tirelessly in the background preparing for the significant clean-up and recovery ahead of us.”

People in NSW requiring assistance are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods.

People and businesses can register their interest for these grant programs through Service NSW, with funding soon available through NSW Government agencies at: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/storm-and-flood-assistance-businesses

The phase one package includes:

• Demand driven – $75,000 grants to assist primary producers that have suffered direct damage from the recent severe weather and flooding. NSW Government estimate this to initially be $111.5 million.
• Demand driven – $50,000 grants to assist small business and not-for-profit organisations that have suffered direct damage from the event. NSW Government estimate this to initially be $89.7 million.
• $210 million to assist affected communities with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste. This will enable LGAs to work with Resilience NSW and NSW Government agencies to coordinate clean-up activities in their communities.
• $1 million grants to impacted councils to assist with their immediate social, built, economic and environmental needs. This list may continue to grow.
• $6.5 million to provide Community Recovery Officers to support communities impacted by this event.

The 17 LGAs are Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Hornsby, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie/Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield, The Hills and Tweed.

This is one tranche of assistance that will be offered to NSW residents, and is in addition to the disaster payments already available to flood victims.

The Commonwealth stands ready to provide similar financial help to victims of the flood disaster in Queensland once a request is received from the Queensland Premier.

The EveryAGE Counts campaign and the Older Persons Advocacy Network are calling on the Australian Government to support the development of a new UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, claiming the human rights of older people are currently poorly defined and routinely overlooked.

Today marks an international day of action in support of the Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, with gathering momentum to create and ratify a new convention. But although Australia has historically played an active role in advancing similar conventions – relating to rights of children, women, and people with disabilities – the Australian Government is yet to throw the nation’s support behind the new global initiative.

EveryAGE Counts campaign co-chair and human rights advocate Robert Tickner said the time was perfect for Australia to formally get behind the global movement.

“Ageism is a barrier to older people enjoying general human rights protections. Because our society often values older lives less than other lives, we tend to see the diminishing status of people as they age which pushes them to the margins as rights holders,” Mr Tickner said.

“While in theory, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights has no expiry date, as advocates for children, people with disability, and those who experience racial or gender discrimination have already found, general human rights protections are no substitute for specificity.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a turning point in recognising the burning need to step up on human rights protections for older people around the world. During the pandemic, we have seen human rights – such as the right to health and the right to participate in decision-making about personal circumstances – arguably denied to many older people, especially those in some parts of the aged care system in many parts of the world.

“Meanwhile, we know older Australians seeking employment currently face discrimination on a mass scale, with a recent survey finding almost 30 per cent of Australian employers confirming they are reluctant to hire workers over ‘a certain age.’ For more than two thirds of this group, that age was over 50.

“What we need is a defined international rights framework that calls out the discrimination of ageism and places the human rights of older people alongside those guaranteed to others. Without this framework, we lack even a commonly understood language or set of values to talk about the rights of older people and whether they might have been violated.

“Historically, both sides of politics have supported Australia playing an important role in leading the world on passing and implementing conventions designed to dismantle prejudice and discrimination. However thus far Australia has not played a comparably significant role in working for the establishment of an International Convention on the Rights of Older People. That needs to change.”

Older Persons Advocacy Network chief executive Craig Gear said the proposed new convention was necessary.

“Australia supporting an international convention would provide an explicit universal statement that reaffirms the essential truth that older persons are entitled to human rights and fundamental freedoms on the same basis as everyone else,” Mr Gear said.

With distressing events continuing both at home and overseas, Lifeline is reassuring the community that it is normal to be experiencing some level of psychological distress.

Patron John Brogden said it’s critical that every Australian knows they can access services like Lifeline when they are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe.

“Our thoughts go out to anyone directly impacted by the floods in Queensland and NSW. Our 13 11 14 crisis line is available 24/7 and our Lifeline Centres on the ground are ready and primed to provide practical and psychological help at a local level.”

“The vision and stories of war in Europe are very distressing to us all – more so for Australians whose family, friends and homelands are at war.”

Mr Brogden revealed Lifeline has received approximately 192,000 calls and 32,000 text and webchat contacts since January 1st, 2022 and continues to see elevated call volumes compared to those before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“During January and February, calls to Lifeline were up 5% on the same months last year. We are consistently seeing this trend towards increased help seeking behaviour, and I am pleased to say that Lifeline’s call answer rates remain around 90%,” said Mr Brogden.

“Even for the most resilient of us, some of the news we are reading and images we are seeing at the moment are very confronting, and we know there will be an increasing number of people who will be struggling with heightened anxiety and distress.”

“If you are feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to connect with Lifeline in the way you feel most comfortable, whether that be on 13 11 14, or via our 24/7 text and webchat services”. 

“Our trained Crisis Supporters are ready and waiting day and night to listen without judgement, chat about your needs, worries and feelings and work with you to explore the best ways to stay safe and get support in your community.”

Lifeline has also developed a range of free toolkits to provide you with practical information and assistance during challenging times. Anyone can browse, print or and download them at  www.lifeline.org.au/resources/toolkit-downloads/.

There is tailored support for anyone being impacted by floods at www.lifeline.org.au/floods.

Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service, with 41 centres around the nation. The service responds to over one million requests for support each year, creating an average of 120 safety plans to keep a person experiencing suicidal ideation safe every day. 

You can phone Lifeline to speak to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days), text 0477 131 114 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or chat to Lifeline online at www.lifeline.org.au (24 hours/7 days).

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended the use of the Novavax vaccine as a booster in Australians aged 18 and over where an mRNA vaccine is not suitable.

Novavax is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to be provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

It has been proven safe and effective in protecting against severe illness or death associated with COVID-19 infection, with clinical trial data showing a robust immune response providing around 90 per cent protection from infection.

Protein vaccines use a non-infectious protein component of the virus manufactured in a laboratory. After vaccination, immune cells recognise the vaccine protein as foreign and launch an immune response against it.

More than 25,000 Australians have received a first dose of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine since it was approved for use last month, ensuring that Australia continues to be one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world.

Australia was one of the first countries in the world to commence a whole-of-population COVID-19 booster program. More than 11.6 million Australians have received a booster dose.

Approximately 94.5 per cent of people in Australia have completed their primary course of vaccination.

The Australian Government has secured 51 million doses of Novavax to compliment the vaccine rollout.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is currently considering an application for whole of population use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine as a booster following a two-dose course of either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine or the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The TGA and ATAGI continue to review emerging evidence on all COVID-19 Vaccines.

All Australians who are currently eligible for their primary course of vaccination, or for their booster dose, and who have not yet acted are urged to make a booking as soon as possible to get vaccinated.

Please use the COVID-19 Clinic Finder and make your appointment.

Tonight I tested positive to COVID-19.

I am experiencing flu-like symptoms and will be recovering over the next week.

I had tested myself daily since Sunday, including this morning, with all tests returning a negative result.

I took a further test this evening after developing a fever late today. The test was inconclusive so I took a PCR test tonight which returned a positive result late this evening.

I am continuing to follow health guidelines and am isolating at home in Sydney.

Jenny and the girls have thankfully tested negative but will isolate for seven days at home as close contacts.

While in isolation I will continue to discharge all my responsibilities as Prime Minister, including virtually chairing meetings of the National Security and Expenditure Review Committees of Cabinet, focusing on our emergency response to the devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales, and ensuring we stand with each and every one of the affected communities both now and as the waters eventually recede.

I will also be focused on our urgent response to the tragedy unfolding in the Ukraine and Russia’s senseless aggression, staying in regular contact with our security and intelligence officials and our international partners, as well as working with the Treasurer to finalise the Budget.

Australia will provide significant additional military assistance and emergency humanitarian support to help the people of Ukraine following the brutal invasion by Russia.

Australia stands in solidarity with our friends and partners in supporting Ukraine and condemning Russia utterly for its unprovoked and unjustified attack on its neighbour.

Australia will provide around $70 million in lethal military assistance to support the defence of Ukraine, including missiles and weapons. We will also provide a range of non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies in response to a specific request from the Ukrainian Government.

Our contributions will complement actions taken by partners such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the European Union and other European nations – each of which we welcome. We will work with and through our closest partners and allies to supplement the already substantial support from the international community.

Australia will also commit immediate humanitarian assistance of an initial $35 million to help meet the urgent needs of the Ukrainian people. This assistance will deliver lifesaving services and supplies, including the provision of shelter, food, medical care and water.

Our lethal and non-lethal military assistance, along with our humanitarian funding, are in addition to the significant sanctions we have already imposed on Russia.

With the situation now seriously deteriorating after Russia’s invasion, current indications are that at least 160,000 people have been displaced inside Ukraine and around half a million people have fled to neighbouring countries. Numbers of displaced people will rise sharply as the security situation deteriorates further.

The cost of Russia’s aggression is being borne by innocent Ukrainians. This is a challenge the international community will meet, and Australia stands ready to provide further humanitarian assistance to support the people of Ukraine, including those fleeing to neighbouring countries.

Russia’s actions are a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter. There is no justification for these actions in Ukraine which are illegal, unjustified and unprovoked.

Following the Prime Minister of Australia’s announcement that Australia will provide defensive military assistance to Ukraine, a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III departed RAAF Base Richmond for Europe on 2 March 2022, carrying critical military equipment and medical supplies.

Australia will join other allies and partners to help the people of Ukraine to defend their nation, following Russia’s senseless and illegal invasion of Ukraine sovereignty.