Category: Australian News

From Friday 25 February 2022, following a request by Queensland Police, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) commenced assistance to Queensland authorities and communities in the South-East of the state, affected by severe flooding.

Two Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan helicopters from the School of Army Aviation, based at Oakey near Toowoomba, immediately commenced search and rescue operations on Friday evening. The helicopters are crewed by Australian Army personnel and Defence contractors.

Aircrews continue to conduct rescues under extremely difficult weather conditions and an additional 200 ADF personnel are on standby and making preparations to further support efforts at the direction of the State Government.

An Albanese Labor Government will invest $1 million to upgrade Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s Inner West.

The upgrades will include a landscaped Waterplay area with BBQs and a shared recreation space. The Waterplay area will include;

• A combination of waterplay features allowing interactive aquatics play, as well as seating, grassed areas and biodiverse plants.
• a zero-depth water play area where children can play safely.
• Accessible design features ensuring inclusivity for all.

This important contribution will complement commitments already made by the Inner West Council to upgrade the Aquatic Centre.

“I am delighted to announce this funding for upgrades to Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre,” Anthony Albanese, Member for Grayndler and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, said.

“The Inner West community has embraced upgrades to Dawn Fraser Baths and the Ashfield Aquatic Centre. I’m sure the local community will benefit from these upgrades just as much.”

“Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre is a fantastic facility and community hub which has been enjoyed since 1961. This investment will ensure that the pool continues to be enjoyed by our local swimmers and families for generations to come.”

With First Nations vaccination rates lagging across Western Australia and the state’s  largest remote First Nations community now in lockdown, The Greens have today again called on the WA Government to lift vaccination rates for First Nations people.

With WA recording 617 new cases and Premier Mark McGowan warning of a new 1,000+ daily case total, vaccination rates for First Nations people are “disgraceful”, Yamatji-Noongar woman and Australian Greens Senator for WA Dorinda Cox said today.

The rate of double vaccinated First Nations people in Western Australia is reportedly sitting about 25 per cent below the overall state figure – at 70 per cent, compared to 95 per cent. 

“It is disgraceful that into the third year of this pandemic, governments at all levels are still leaving First Nations people behind,” Senator Cox said today. 

“As COVID numbers go up, our communities are more vulnerable than ever. First Nations people know what is best for our communities, and should be better supported in their health promotion efforts to get more vaccines in the arms of vulnerable people. Aboriginal-led health organisations are best placed to lead on this. 

“The Liberals botched the vaccine rollout last year, but with case numbers on the rise, there is absolutely no reason for this level of incompetence to continue.”

It comes as seventeen people have tested positive in Bidyadanga since Wednesday – a community now in lockdown.

“As a Malgana woman, I am horrified to see that COVID has made its way into the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community,” Bianca McNeair, Malgana woman, and Greens candidate for Durack said today.

“First Nations COVID vaccination rates in WA continue to lag behind the rest of the population, with some Aboriginal communities still less than 50 percent vaccinated.’ 

‘It is disappointing that the major parties have failed to properly support our regional and remote health systems. The McGowan Government needs to do more to ensure First Nations communities are protected from COVID, especially once the domestic and international borders are lifted on March 3.”

To stop coal communities collapsing, every coal worker should have a decade of generous financial support, including wage subsidies to assist in moving to paid employment in new industries including renewables, minerals mining and green manufacturing, retrain, or take an early retirement, Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt MP has announced today.

Announcing the $19 billion community support package and Job-for-Job Guarantee in Newcastle today, Mr Bandt will meet with coal workers to outline how the generous package will mean they will have long term financial certainty, and their communities will continue to thrive beyond coal.

The plan is the latest climate announcement in the Greens balance of power push for this election, with Mr Bandt saying the Greens will make it a priority in balance of power in the next Parliament to kick the Liberals out and develop a national plan to support coal workers and communities.

Before entering Parliament, Mr Bandt represented coal-fired power station workers, helping protect their wages and conditions against attacks from big power corporations. Mr Bandt has also previously visited coal communities across the country to discuss the need for a jobs plan that supports workers as we phase out coal.

Funded by taxing Australia’s billionaires and big coal and gas corporations, the Greens’ plan for coal workers includes three interlocking components:

1. Establish a Job-for-Job Guarantee with workforce pooling to ensure workers get good jobs without loss of pay as coal is phased out.
2. Create local authorities that bring each coal community together to develop their plans for new employment overseen by a National Coal Communities Commission; and
3. Finance those locally developed plans with an initial $2.8bn seeding through an independent National Coal Communities Commission.

The Job-for-Job Guarantee package will provide 50% of a coal worker’s wage for a decade, provided as a wage subsidy to employers who provide an equivalent paying job. Workers over 55 will be able to receive the wage subsidy for up to 12 years as they transition to retirement. Workers who cannot find alternative work can receive the subsidy directly. 

A generous financial support package to support coal workers move to new industries was a central component of the successful strategy employed by Germany to phase out their coal industry without a single worker losing their job.

The Greens plan builds on and supports the work and proposals being developed by local communities such as the recent plan put forward by the Hunter Jobs Alliance – Future-proofing the Hunter.

This announcement sits side by side with the Greens’ initiatives to invest billions of dollars to grow new industries in affected regions. In addition to the Diversifying Coal Communities Fund, the investment mandates of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and Export Finance Australia will be amended to prioritise the financing of the plans developed by local authorities. 

The Greens have already announced a jobs-rich $40bn plan to convert Snowy Hydro into a massive renewables generator, with a big build of solar, wind and storage, creating over 110,000 jobs, many of which will be in current coal and gas areas and able to access the Job-for-Job Guarantee subsidies. The Greens will also announce further plans to grow new industries in coal and gas areas, including in manufacturing, steel and energy, as well as in the mining of minerals necessary in a zero emissions world. 

The Greens plan is based on Australia exiting thermal coal by 2030, but will also extend the timetable for the phase-out of metallurgical coal until 2040, ensuring there is enough time to transition to replacements in the manufacture of green steel and other products.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP said:

“Change is happening quickly but there’s no plan for coal workers,” said Mr Bandt.

“Governments are leaving coal workers exposed. With coal closures being brought forward and our coal customers moving to zero emissions, Australia is sleepwalking into the closure of the coal industry, but every single worker is being told by the Liberal and Labor parties that they have nothing to worry about. 

“Liberal and Labor are lying to workers and communities, saying coal can keep going for decades when science says it clearly can’t. 

“The Greens’ plan secures new jobs for coal workers, including in mining and energy, without loss of pay. 

“In many places around the country the best job for a coal worker is another mining job, and the Greens’ plan will help make that a reality. There are enormous opportunities in developing critical minerals and green metal processing.

“Australia doesn’t need to shut down the mining industry, we’ve just got to get out of coal.

“We can’t have a devastating repeat of the collapse of our car manufacturing industry. Instead of leaving their fate in the hands of overseas boardrooms of big corporations, the Greens plan gives local communities control over their future.

“We owe coal workers a debt of thanks for powering our country. We don’t need to choose between taking urgent climate action and supporting coal communities. We can do both.”

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said:

“The move away from coal may be a win for the climate, but we must make it a win for workers as well,” said Mr Shoebridge.

“Across the Hunter, coal workers know that the clock is ticking on coal. They’re watching local coal-fired power stations bring forward closures, seeing ships from fewer nations arrive for our coal, and can hear the demands for a safer future getting stronger and more urgent.

“Eraring’s accelerated closure is literally the canary in the coal mine. It’s telling us that whether we like it or not, the end of coal isn’t decades away, but years and months. 

“Coal workers have powered our nation and contributed to our national wealth for a long time, we must not leave them behind. 

“I don’t want Newcastle’s future to be determined by corporate bosses in New York or Sydney or politicians in Canberra. 

“The Hunter Valley Authority will kickstart new local industries, while the Job-for-Job Guarantee will help employers take on new staff and ensure every worker knows they’ll be able to pay the bills for the next decade.

“The Hunter’s opportunities are endless. With its deepwater port, Newcastle will be a crucial hydrogen export hub – exporting solar and wind power to Asia, plus products manufactured locally with endless and cheap renewable energy. 

“We need to make this transition a win for the economy and the region. If state and federal government stop lying about the future of coal and start planning for change, we’ll get a win for workers and the climate.”

With COVID cases on the rise, The Greens today have back calls from prominent public health experts urging the McGowan Government to both house and address the low rates of vaccination among rough sleepers and chronically homeless people in Perth.

It comes as leading public health experts, including Professor Fiona Stanley, have issued an open letter to Premier McGowan urging him to “activate (a) plan immediately, in collaboration with First Nations organisations, to ensure that all the have the basic security and protection of safe shelter.” 

“Otherwise, people who are homeless in WA may be caught in a perfect storm when borders open next Thursday,” the letter states.

Recent research finds that only 7% of the overall homeless population in Perth have received their booster shot, of which just 38% of First Nations people had received two doses of the COVID vaccine by the end of January.

Yamatji-Noongar woman and Australian Greens Senator for WA Dorinda Cox today urged the WA Government to take its lead from public health officials – and act now to protect these vulnerable cohorts prior to the March 3 border reopening. 

“In a wealthy place like Perth, everyone should have a roof over their head and access to a strong social safety net,” Senator Cox said today.

“The Greens today welcome calls from prominent health officials for a public health-based response to this growing crisis. We are now into the third year of this pandemic, and with cases on the rise, the Government has failed to not only house but to vaccinate homeless people in our city.  

“This is especially devastating for First Nations people, who make up around 40% of Perth’s homelessness cohort. First Nations people know what is best for our communities, and should be better supported in their health promotion efforts to get more vaccines in the arms of vulnerable people. Aboriginal-led health organisations are best placed to lead here on this.”

Earlier this week WA Greens State MP Dr Brad Pettit questioned the WA Government’s limited funding support for health organisations, specifically to improve vaccine uptake for those experiencing homelessness. 

“It is essential that the McGowan Government immediately invest in a plan alongside First Nations organisations, to ensure that First Nations people are given the vaccines and housing they need at this critical time,” Dr Pettit said.

At every level, the Greens will continue to advocate for health-based responses to the COVID pandemic.

The Morrison and Perrottet Governments have provided $2.5 million to support construction of expanded facilities at Odyssey House drug and alcohol treatment service near Campbelltown in Sydney.

This capital works funding will assist with expansion of the Parents and Children’s Program at Eagle Vale, which enables people impacted by drug and alcohol misuse to obtain treatment without being separated from their families. 

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Government is committed to reducing the impact of drug and alcohol use on individuals, families and communities.

“Odyssey House is one of the few drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres in Australia that allows children up to 12 years old to stay with their parents while they undertake treatment,” Minister Hunt said.

“This new facility will allow Odyssey House to meet the ever-changing demand for drug and alcohol treatment from couples, single mothers and, increasingly, single fathers.”

The Odyssey House parents and children program aims to repair the bond between parents and children through physical and mental health and education services, interpersonal and social skills, and child development.

Once they have completed their treatment, parents are encouraged to move into community housing if they can demonstrate they are able to responsibly take care of their children.

NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the $2.5 million expansion of Odyssey House services would help keep families together when they were at risk of being torn apart by the damaging effects of drug and alcohol misuse.

“This will increase the support network at Odyssey House, bringing parents together with their children at the right stage of their treatment program to give families the best chance for a fresh start,” Minister Hazzard said.

Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, said the expanded faculties would enhance Odyssey House’s important work.

“This significant investment will help ensure that families in Western Sydney have access to essential health programs when they need it most,” Senator Payne said.

Alcohol as well as illicit drugs can cause terrible damage not just to individuals, but to husbands and wives, parents and other family members, and friends.

Odyssey House CEO, Julie Babineau, and Chairman of the Board, Doug Snedden, thanked the Morrison and Perrottet Governments for their support of the program.

“The new Odyssey Family Recovery Centre, co-funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, is one of the only centres of its kind in Australia that keeps families together by allowing parents to undertake treatment whilst their children live with them in specialised accommodation,” they said.

“Our Parent’s and Children’s Residential Rehabilitation Program helps parents break the cycle of generational drug and alcohol use, while developing the skills to establish and manage a safe and healthy family home. Thanks to the Commonwealth and NSW Government’s funding assistance of the new centre, twice as many families will be able to access treatment.”

“Odyssey House is very grateful for the financial support provided to this program.”

The capital funding is in addition to more than $3.8 million in operating funding provided by the Government to Odyssey House in 2021-22, to deliver a range of drug and alcohol treatment services.

Odyssey House was founded in 1977 by Sydney businessman, Walter McGrath, after his son died from a heroin overdose, and has grown into one of Australia’s largest and most respected rehabilitation services.

From 1 March 2022, Australians with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) will have access to a new treatment option through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which the bone marrow makes immature white blood cells in high numbers. These abnormal cells crowd the bone marrow, preventing it from making normal blood cells.

Mylotarg^® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) is being listed for the first time for the treatment of patients with previously untreated de novo CD33-positve AML, for use in combination with standard intensive chemotherapy.

Mylotarg^® works by stopping the abnormal growth of these cells and destroying them.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said around 900 Australians each year are diagnosed with AML.

“AML is one of the rarer forms of cancer, accounting for 0.8 per cent of all cancers diagnosed, but it can occur at any age and is more common among adults over the age of 60,” Minister Hunt said.

“The PBS listing of Mylotarg® will benefit around 60 Australians each year, who without PBS subsidy may pay around $18,000 per course of treatment.

“Instead, from March 1, Australians with AML will pay $42.50 per script, or just $6.80 with a concession card to access Mylotarg^®.

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,800 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $14.3 billion.”

This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

An Albanese Labor Government will invest $1 million in a targeted boost to our local economy by creating a SERDA Jobs Hub, expanding the local Trade Training Centre in Sorell, upskilling and creating new local jobs in south east Tasmania.

For too long, skills shortages have impacted the region due to the neglect of the Morrison Government, with the existing Trade Training Centre at capacity.

The current facility is too small and too out of date for what is required to build a local workforce.

For too long, the Liberals have neglected skills in Tasmania. The local numbers reflect this story, with more than 30,000 completing their apprenticeship and traineeships under the former Labor Government, compared to just 17,000 completions in the same period of time under the Coalition – a drop of more than 44 per cent.

Only with this investment by Labor can we turn around the skills shortage caused by the Morrison Government and invest in homegrown, Tasmanian skills.

That is why a Labor Government will partner with Sorell Council and SERDA to create a central Jobs Hub tailored to meeting current and future demands for skilled workers and strengthening the region. 

The proposed Hub will be located centrally in Sorell adjacent to a child-care centre and the local park and ride facility, making it accessible for the Hubs target market of mature age students, job seekers, young parents returning to the workforce, people up-skilling, and business owners.

Anthony Albanese said:

“We need to be doing more to invest in homegrown skills, so that we have the local workforce to that so many businesses and communities are crying out for.”

“Labor’s plan for free TAFE is a part of our commitment to Tasmania for more jobs, and today’s $1 million announcement for a local SERDA Jobs Hub is our commitment to further supporting skills and good, secure jobs.”

“The Morrison Government has completely neglected skills and training and it’s an issue which is being felt right across the country, including here in Tasmania.”

Brian Mitchell said:

“This commitment in an exciting opportunity for Sorell and for Tasmania.”

“We know the importance of up-skilling Tasmanians and addressing the Liberals’ legacy of critical skills shortages.”

“Labor’s investment will empower local people to up-skill for local jobs and strengthen our community.”

From 1 March 2022, Australians with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) will have access to a new treatment option through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which the bone marrow makes immature white blood cells in high numbers. These abnormal cells crowd the bone marrow, preventing it from making normal blood cells.

Mylotarg^® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) is being listed for the first time for the treatment of patients with previously untreated de novo CD33-positve AML, for use in combination with standard intensive chemotherapy.

Mylotarg^® works by stopping the abnormal growth of these cells and destroying them.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said around 900 Australians each year are diagnosed with AML.

“AML is one of the rarer forms of cancer, accounting for 0.8 per cent of all cancers diagnosed, but it can occur at any age and is more common among adults over the age of 60,” Minister Hunt said.

“The PBS listing of Mylotarg® will benefit around 60 Australians each year, who without PBS subsidy may pay around $18,000 per course of treatment.

“Instead, from March 1, Australians with AML will pay $42.50 per script, or just $6.80 with a concession card to access Mylotarg^®.

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,800 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $14.3 billion.”

This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

This is a strong contrast to Albanese and Labor, who when last in Government stopped listing essential medicines and treatments on the PBS.

Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) Artistic Director Jack Liebeck today unveiled his first program, and it leads with three powerful world premieres over the first three days, part of a stunning line-up of over 130 works in total, to be staged from 29 July to 7 August in Townsville, Queensland.

The 31st AFCM boasts 32 events, 33 world class artists including five international and 28 Australian musicians, and three major new festival experiences including Guilty Pleasures, AFCM Illuminates and Festival Garden. A joyous 10-day celebration hosted during North Queensland’s famous wintersun, the 2022 AFCM is the music event the world needs this year!

The Festival opens with three world premieres over three days. On opening Night, 29 July, Deborah Cheetham’s work Nginda Ngarrini Bi Ngya, which was especially commissioned for AFCM, will be performed. Written in the language of the local Indigenous people, it features Deborah singing with the Goldner String Quartet.

The Governor’s Gala concert on Saturday 30 July will deliver an epic world premiere music moment – 25 Australian composers were commissioned to write short variations on Beethoven’s iconic ‘Ode to Joy’ to mark the 25th anniversary of the famous Goldner String Quartet; the work will be premiered by the Goldners at this event!

Rounding out the trio of world firsts, Australian composer Paul Dean will unveil his premiere during the Sunday evening concert, aptly titled The 22’s, and featuring pieces straddling 400 years, from 1722 (Albinoni’s Concerto for oboe in D minor, Op. 9, No. 2), 1822 (Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet No 1 Op 1 in C minor ), 1922 (Peter Warlock’s The Curlew) and Dean’s specially written Concerto for Chamber Orchestra representing 2022.

That’s not all for Paul Dean, he is also Composer-in-Residence for the Festival and leads a strong Dean family presence at the AFCM; his niece, soprano Lotte Betts-Dean as a guest artist will perform her father Brett Dean’s work, and his wife Trish Dean (cello) makes her AFCM debut.

The artist line-up is led by internationally applauded didgeridoo star William Barton returning to the Festival with his own compositions, and soprano and composer Deborah Cheetham, joined by Kirsty McCahon (double bass), James Crabb (accordion), Lloyd Van’t Hoff (clarinet), Daniel de Borah (piano), Alice Giles (harp), Imants Larsens (viola), Natsuko Yoshimoto (violin), Kristian Chong (piano) and the Goldner String Quartet, among others.

Australian musicians heading north for the first time include Phoebe Russell (double bass), Alison Mitchell (flute), David Mitchell (bassoon), Jacob Enoka (percussion), Brigid Coleridge (violin, and now residing in Boston), Elina Faskhi (cello) and Emmanuel Cassimatis (oboe).

International musicians making their AFCM and Australian debut include Charlotte Bonneton (violin and viola) from France, Daniel Grimwood (piano) from the UK and the famed Turkish cellist Jamal Aliyev while Canadian violinist Corey Cerovsek makes his AFCM debut. Daniel Grimwood and Jamal Aliyev are ONLY performing at AFCM in Australia. Festival Host will be ABC Classic’s Damien Beaumont.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Australian Festival of Chamber Music will make a triumphant return to Townsville with more than 30 of the world’s finest classical musicians bringing marvellous music to the magical setting of North Queensland. “This long-running renowned festival presents chamber music that sounds like paradise, played in paradise,” Minister Enoch said.

“A highlight this year will be the powerful premiere of Nginda Ngarrini Bi Ngya, performed by renowned Yorta Yorta composer and soprano, Deborah Cheetham AO, with the Goldner String Quartet, developed with additional support from the Queensland Government. This performance will be sung in Wulgurukaba language, acknowledging the local Wulgurukaba people of Gurambilbarra.

“The Queensland Government has supported the Australian Festival of Chamber Music for more than three decades, enabling its showcase of music and the festival’s growth as a significant cultural tourism experience that delivers economic benefits for the region. I encourage Queenslanders and visitors to the state to embrace the melodic magic of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music 2022,” Ms Enoch said.

Member for Townsville and Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the AFCM highlights the diversity of world-class entertainment found in Northern Australia’s events capital.

“Townsville’s famous visitors experiences provide the perfect backdrop for the 2022 Australian Festival of Chamber Music,” Mr Stewart said. “This is a significant cultural festival, delivering thousands of visitor nights and millions of dollars for North Queensland’s visitor economy.

“We know spectacular events like the AFCM inspire visitors to sample Townsville’s great hospitality and amazing tourism opportunities while providing an important boost to our local businesses. The 2022 Australian Festival of Chamber Music confirms Townsville’s credentials as the North’s home of cultural tourism. I can’t wait to hear the AFCM’s aural celebration of culture returning to Townsville.”

CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS

Friday 29 July James Cook University Opening Night Concert – New Beginnings includes the world premiere of Deborah Cheetham’s work especially commissioned for AFCM. See above for detail.

Saturday 30 July Governor’s Gala – in what will be an epic world premiere music event, 25 Australian composers have been commissioned to write short variations on Beethoven’s iconic ‘Ode to Joy’ to mark the 25th anniversary of the famous Goldner String Quartet.

Monday 1 August Evening Series Concert – Entente Cordiale – the historic 1904 agreement between the British and French ended a long period of antagonism. That cross-border cooperation sent Artistic Director Jack Liebeck on a quest to discover music from both sides of The Channel composed in the same year.

Friday 5 August Evening Series Concert – The Silver Screen – featuring music from the Silver Screen, from the earliest exponents of the artform to the present-day giants, it is filled with emotion and joy. Includes John Barry’s Out of Africa theme performed by horn player Peter Luff with the Goldner String Quartet; Charlie Chaplin’s Smile and Henry Mancini’s Moon River to be sung by Lotte Betts-Dean with James Crabb on accordion; Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe from ‘The Mission’ performed by Simon Oswell (viola) and Daniel de Borah (piano).

Saturday 6 August – Families’ Concert – Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals. This fun, engaging musical suite of 14 movements, with each movement representing a different animal, will appeal to all ages.

Over 30 music-filled years, the AFCM has forged an impressive international reputation as one of the best chamber music celebrations in the world, and while the last two years have been extremely challenging, Jack Liebeck has created a fascinating program that is as spiritually and intellectually enriching as it is celebratory; and an artistic line-up that is exceptional and exciting.

AFCM principal partners include Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, Australian Government through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund and Townsville City Council. AFCM is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.