Category: Australian News

Many Australians still struggle to get where they need to go, and a new multi-state study highlights the opportunities to get transport access right for our communities. Can technology help?

Access to transport is a basic human need that fundamentally impacts everyone’s wellbeing. Community transport is a critical element of our wider transport network that ensures suitable transport options exist for everybody, especially those with specific or more complex needs.

A new study reveals how emerging technologies can improve community transport by increasing access for clients, allowing better allocation of resources by providers, and increasing client choice with improved customer experience.

The study offers a foundational understanding of community transport operations across Australia, their critical role, and the challenges they and their customers face. It has clarified hesitations around technology, highlighting the advantages and the importance of reciprocal partnerships for technology adoptions.

The study was led by ITS Australia, the peak body in Australia for advanced transport technology, with the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Public Policy and Governance leading the research effort. It includes input from departments of transport TfNSW, DOT VIC, DOT WA and TMR, and is supported by iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, the national centre for transport and mobility R&D.

The findings provide the clearest picture yet of the Australian community transport landscape and where there are opportunities to deliver services that meet everyone’s needs at both a system and service level.

This new research highlights how needs are still not being met in many places. It explores the options for improving the situation by having the right discussions and action, including integration and innovation in the community transport sector.

Investment in community transport reduces transport disadvantage, defined as ‘the inability to travel when and where one needs to without difficulty’. This seemingly simple objective is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve, especially for older people, those with a disability and people in rural and regional areas. Our ageing population (estimated to double by 2057) is just one reason why the number of people at risk of transport disadvantage will grow significantly over time.

The wider transport sector is currently undergoing a sustained period of change arising from technology, digitalisation, automation and access to data. New capability is creating ways of planning and delivering services that have the potential to meet everyone’s needs, including our most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. There needs to be consensus and action to ensure that we minimise transport disadvantage and maximise opportunities for our communities.

Lee-Ann Breger, Programs Director, iMOVE said: “The ability to get around is key to any individual’s wellbeing as it enables them to access health services, to work and participate in leisure activities. In Australia, we have an increasingly ageing population, where 5% of the population has a severe disability of some kind, many of whom need support to get from A to B. We need to make sure that our CT networks deliver this.”

Susan Harris, Chief Executive Officer, ITS Australia said:

“This work offers excellent insights into how technology can support community transport and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As we advance this pathway, technology providers must be sensitive to the nuances of community transport, and partnerships are vital to getting this right. ITS Australia will continue working in this space to realise some of the benefits through a collaborative approach.”

Peter Lee, Senior Manager, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney said:

“In taking a strategic look at community transport and its context, our research really shines a light on a poorly understood area of transport to evidence the complexities experienced by service providers and their customers. In drawing attention to existing and emerging challenges and opportunities for community transport, we hope the research can act as a catalyst for action in policy, engagement, innovation and partnerships.”

The full report can be downloaded here: https://imoveaustralia.com/project/project-outcomes/community-transport-of-the-future

Upcoming webinar on this research on the 6th April, 2022: https://imoveaustralia.com/news-articles/intelligent-transport-systems/upcoming-webinar-community-transport-future/

Key points from the research

· Community Transport is more about the ‘Community’ than just transport – it provides the glue connecting users to vital services and social networks

· Community Transport (CT) users are a growing and complex stakeholder group with challenging needs and expectations – by 2057 it’s projected that Australians over 65 will make up 22% of the population.

· In 2020, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians published a report which found that 92% of seniors rated personal mobility as critical to health, social well-being and independence

· This is a complex and challenging ecosystem and technology has the potential to improve CT by increasing access for clients, better allocation of resources by providers, and increased client choice with improved customer experience.

· CT providers see many opportunities to work with transport technology providers, to partner on solutions that work for their customers and to utilise technology platforms that have the potential to scale to a wider user base.

· Opportunities exist for reciprocal partnering (with the risks shared by technology platform/provider and CT operators) to build adaptive fit-for-purpose products that work for CT clients and operators.

· CT’s complex funding structures play a significant role in how services are delivered.

The Australian Government will prohibit the export of luxury goods to Russia, including wine, high value cosmetics and parts for luxury vehicles.

These sanctions target President Putin and his wealthy enablers, not ordinary Russian consumers. They are being undertaken in coordination with key partners to restrict the Russian elite’s access to such goods. The European Union and the United States already have bans in effect. Japan’s ban will enter into force today, and the United Kingdom’s ban is due to follow soon.

The Australian Government is deeply committed to imposing the highest costs on Russia for President Putin’s illegal and unprovoked war.

This ban follows our targeted financial sanctions on President Putin, members of his Government, Russian oligarchs, propagandists and disinformation operatives, as well as senior Russian military leaders. It also follows our ban on the export of alumina and bauxite to Russia.

The Australian Government reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the people of Ukraine.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP, says Labor’s appeasement to right-wing flat tax reforms and keeping tax breaks for trusts and property investors is a death knell for Australian egalitarianism. 

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP said:

“Liberal and Labor are now in lockstep on tax cuts for the rich, sounding the death knell for social democracy. Liberal and Labor are marching Australia towards US-style inequality. 

“With Labor now joining the Liberals in delivering tax breaks to the wealthiest, there will be less in the kitty for public schools and hospitals. 

“Labor has sided with Scott Morrison in a conservative assault on Australian egalitarianism,  keeping tax rorts that drive up house prices and funding more coal and gas. 

“With Labor now joining the Liberals in a trickle-down nightmare, the only way to save Australia’s progressive tax system is to vote Greens. 

“Heading to an election, I never thought I’d see a Labor joining with the Libs on a platform of flat tax, cash for billionaires to mine more coal and gas and tax breaks for investors to drive up housing prices.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says 2025 must be the peak year for global emissions and that new investments in coal, oil and gas will take us past 1.5 degrees.
 
The findings of the latest IPCC report, described as the ‘final warning’, put both Australian major political parties at odds with the science and global consensus on targets and the need to cease all new fossil fuel infrastructure. 
 
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP said:
 
“It’s clear Liberal and Labor’s new coal and gas must stop.”

“The IPCC report makes it clear that we have all the technologies we need, but renewables and EV’s won’t be enough unless we also get out of coal and gas. 
 
“Coal and gas are the biggest cause of climate change. The first job on climate is to stop making the problem worse, and that means no more coal and gas or it’s last drinks for a liveable planet.” 
 
“Australia is a huge part of the problem, 3rd in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Russia for exporting fossil fuel pollution. 
 
“This Liberal government and the Labor opposition both want to roll out 114 new coal and gas projects in direct contravention of the IPCC warning 
 
“If you don’t have a plan to get out of coal and gas, you don’t have a credible climate plan.”

Australian parents will soon have access to new tools to better support the mental health and wellbeing of their kids, as part of a $40.6 million Australian Government funded Parenting Education and Support grant.

Well-known positive parenting educator, Triple P, will deliver this support through their Triple P – Positive Parenting Program which provides free, universal, easily accessible and interactive online resources.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the program will be available nationally and address different parenting needs as children progress through key development milestones from ages 0-11 years.

“A recent study found 65% of Australian parents were not confident they could identify signs of social or emotional problems in their children, and a similar percentage didn’t know where to get help,” Minister Hunt said.

“Giving parents and carers access to the Triple P resources will mean more confident parents and carers, and happier, more resilient children.

“It will give parents a better understanding of their children’s mental health and wellbeing, help them identify potential behavioural problems, and outline when and how to access help.”

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program will complement support provided to children and their families through the new Head to Health Kids Hubs and additional perinatal mental health screening and support announced in the 2021-22 Budget.

“We know that many mental health conditions develop at an early age and then continue throughout life, growing in their severity. That’s why it is so important that we act early and equip parents and carers with the tools they need to best support their children,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

Triple P was developed here in Australia and ranks number one on the United Nations’ list of evidence-based programs. It is used in more than 30 countries and has been shown to work across cultures, socio-economic groups and in many kinds of family structures.

The Triple P program also delivers specialist supports for parents of children with a disability, parents of children with health concerns, parents going through separation or divorce, and for both culturally and linguistically diverse and First Nations parents.

Triple P International Country Director, Carol Markie-Dadds, said parents and caregivers play a major role in the long-term success of their children’s emotional resilience, mental health, and life outcomes.

“This Australian Government initiative means that all families will have free access to Triple P’s evidence-based, world-leading, Positive Parent Program, giving vital assistance to parents and caregivers to support their children’s emotional and coping skills – benefitting them now and into the future,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

“Now more than ever, parents, carers and children are living with increased levels of anxiety and stress due to the pandemic, disasters, and global events. The program will give parents and caregivers the tools and confidence they need to support their children’s mental health wellbeing in these times of uncertainty and beyond.

“Positive family relationships are key to shaping a healthy and supportive environment in which children will thrive.”

The program will be supported by a national media campaign to promote parenting programs as a normal, proactive parenting option and to reduce the stigma of parents and carers asking for help.

The Morrison Government continues to make mental health and suicide prevention a national priority and continues to drive structural reform and real change to deliver better outcomes for all Australians.

Through the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Budgets, the Government is investing nearly $3 billion into the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to drive this reform.

As a result of these investments, funding for mental health and suicide prevention services through the Health portfolio have increased to a record $6.8 billion in 2022-23, more than doubling since 2012-13.

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

More than $260 million will be invested in mental health and suicide prevention support and services in Queensland over the next five years, following the signing of a landmark bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Queensland governments.

The Commonwealth will provide $150.9 million and Queensland will invest more than $109.5 million to expand mental health care services to where they are needed the most.

New mental health services, particularly for people in the group known as the “missing middle”, and suicide prevention services, will be established.

The funding includes:

• $49.9 million to establish a network of new Head to Health adult mental health centres and satellites across Queensland with five new Head to Health centres and seven satellites. These new services will address gaps in the mental health system, providing more integrated, seamless mental health care for adults and older adults. These are in addition to Queensland’s first Head to Health centre that opened 20 January 2022 in Townsville
• $21.5 million to establish two new Head to Health Kids Hubs to improve access to multidisciplinary team care to children.
• $75.3 million to enhance headspace centres to increase access to multidisciplinary youth mental health services in Queensland, with the Commonwealth funding the establishment of 2 new headspace sites and Queensland providing funding for clinical in-reach into new and existing headspace sites.
• $78.6 million to expand and enhance existing universal aftercare services to support individuals following a suicide attempt and / or suicidal crisis.
• $9.4 million to ensure all people in Queensland who are bereaved or impacted by suicide can access postvention support services.
• $4.9 million to implement a Distress Intervention Trial Program to prevent and reduce suicidal behaviour.
• $10.3 million to improve perinatal mental health screening and enhance capture and reporting of national consistent perinatal mental health data.
• $10.5 million to support additional initiatives that address gaps in the system of care for the ‘missing middle’.

In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and Queensland governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system, through greater data sharing and evaluation of services, closer integration of referral pathways, and working together on the regional planning and commissioning of services.

The bilateral agreement will also build and support the mental health and suicide prevention workforce, including the peer workforce.

Everyday, millions of Australians come into contact with the mental health system. Almost half of all Australians experience mental ill-health in their lifetime, and around one in 5 people will experience a mental or behavioural condition each year.

Recent reports such as the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s Final Advice, have highlighted the need to reform Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention system.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said that this landmark partnership between the Commonwealth and Queensland, along with other Commonwealth support initiatives, will have a significant positive impact on the lives of many across the state, including young Queenslanders.

“It will help to save lives and protect lives.”

Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said demand for mental health services has continued to rise.

“This is an important investment in mental health that will expand services to those most in need in Queensland,” said Minister D’Ath.

“This investment will complement the $1.8 billion that the Queensland Government spends to support mental health services every year.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said a key focus of the agreement would be helping to reduce the suicide rate in Queensland communities.

“As a result of this agreement, every Queenslander who is discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt will be provided at least three months of appropriate follow up care.

“We know the risk of suicide is greatest in the days and weeks following a previous suicide attempt, yet right now not everyone in this group receives follow up care. These people are amongst our most vulnerable and through this agreement we are committing to do everything we can to support them.”

The bilateral agreement will contribute to the landmark reform of the Australian mental health and suicide prevention system and forms part of the new National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.

The Australian Government is delivering structural reform and real change in mental health and suicide prevention, and has invested almost $3 billion towards the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan since 2021-22. 

This brings the estimated health portfolio expenditure in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2022–23 to a record high of $6.8 billion.

Australians needing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au 

Anyone experiencing distress can also seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.

If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

Better mobile coverage on roads, as well as improved connectivity for regional communities and on farms, will lead an Albanese Labor Government’s approach to upgrading regional telecommunications. 

Boosting coverage on roads and in regional communities 
  
A key element of Labor’s Better Connectivity For Rural and Regional Australia plan will be the establishment of a $400 million fund to expand multi-carrier mobile coverage along roads, as well as for regional homes and businesses.  

To support this, Labor will commit $20 million to commence in 2022 an independent national audit of mobile coverage to establish an evidence baseline to guide future priorities. 

 A competitive tender process will be used to identify a partner company capable of placing mobile signal measurement devices on Australia Post’s transport assets, to gather the best information possible.  

Priorities will be assessed independently to maximise benefits, and this will include consultation with Infrastructure Australia, and broader community consultation. 

Boosting connectivity for regional and peri-urban households and businesses 

Labor will also commit $200 million to continue investing in place-based connectivity projects. Drawing from the Regional Connectivity Program, funded projects could include better mobile voice and data coverage, targeted fibre deployments, and improved microwave and fibre backhaul capacity to locations across regional and remote Australia. 

Boosting on-farm connectivity for farmers  

To support the productivity and safety of our farmers, Labor will also commit $30 million to help expand on-farm connectivity and enable better wireless extension solutions on the field.  

This will enable more farmers to fully utilise sensor and connected-machinery technology to improve the efficiency of domestic food production and support the export growth potential of the sector. 

Labor will boost funding for the Regional Tech Hub by $6 million to serve as a trusted intermediary and source of free and independent advice. 

These initiatives supplement existing commitments Labor has made to: 

• Expand full-fibre NBN access to 660,000 more regional homes and businesses. 
• Upgrade the NBN fixed-wireless network to offer speeds between 100 and 250 megabits per second for all users. 
• Increase NBN satellite data allowances to 90 gigabytes a month and unmeter data between midnight and 4 pm, with an ambition to go beyond 100 gigabytes. 

Anthony Albanese said:

“This is a comprehensive, targeted plan that will ensure better mobile coverage on roads, on farms and across regional communities, and better broadband too.” 

“This is critical to modern agriculture and making sure Australian farms are as efficient and competitive as they can be.” 

Michelle Rowland said:
  
“Improving regional connectivity is a top priority for Labor. This is why we have committed to a better plan for the NBN, and a smarter plan for expanding regional mobile coverage.” 

“We will grow the economy by investing in productivity enhancing digital infrastructure, as well as improving quality of life for regional communities and road commuters through better mobile coverage.”

With a federal election looming following years of fire, flood and a global pandemic, The Salvation Army has delved into the very heart of individual Australian communities to discover which social justice issues are of prominent concern right now and what can ultimately be done to address them.

In an Australian first, more than 15,000 people from all demographics across every state and territory contributed to The Salvation Army’s National Social Justice Stocktake Report (NSJSR) via a survey asking which concerns are weighing on individuals, their families, loved ones and local communities – and how these issues will impact their personal decisions during the federal election.

The results of the NSJSR have been collated into a national overview; state and territories synopsis; and 151 electorate and eight state individual jurisdiction reports. All the reports are housed on a purpose-built website – www.salvationarmy.org.au/socialjusticestocktake – which the reader can negotiate by clicking through to areas of interest.

“The Stocktake has several goals, but first and foremost it is designed to help people reflect on social justice and take action on the injustice and hardship they can see,” says The Salvation Army’s Secretary for Mission, Captain Stuart Glover.

“We are releasing this report to coincide with the election of the 47th parliament of Australia to help empower candidates and voters to have a conversation about social justice. The third main objective of this project is to inform how The Salvation Army focuses its social justice, social policy and advocacy work to ensure we are being led by the communities we serve and focused on the needs at hand.”

Nationally, the top six concerns as revealed in the NSJSR are:

· Mental health (53.9 per cent)

· Housing affordability (52.4 per cent)

· Alcohol and drug misuse (42.6 per cent)

· Family violence (35.4 per cent)

· Homelessness (35.1 per cent)

· Poverty and financial hardship (25.9 per cent)

Other issues which feature include:

· Unemployment and underemployment

· Climate change

· Social isolation and loneliness

· Racism and discrimination

· Older Australian discrimination and hardship

· Gambling

· Youth employment

· Gender inequality and inequity

· Disability discrimination and hardship

· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage

· Opportunities for children

· Treatment of refuges and asylum seekers

Feedback from participants of the NSJSR found that Australians care deeply about social injustice –but don’t always know what to do about it.

“There is a vocal element in the community that despairs there is not enough being done about the issues and injustices going on around them in their everyday lives,” Captain Glover adds. “They want to be more active in initiating change but feel powerless. So, instead of just providing findings, we’ve tried to help alleviate that sense of hopelessness by also outlining practical solutions. We firmly believe that every social justice issue can be both addressed and actioned.”

The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal raises funds that are used to help address social issues within local communities. To support, visit: www.salvationarmy.org.au.

The www.salvationarmy.org.au/socialjusticestocktake website contains additional information on each of the Stocktake’s issues; quotes from Salvation Army experts in social mission delivery; and the specifics of the survey research.

With reduced social distancing, borders re-opened and international travel once again on the agenda, experts are concerned that Australians are downplaying the prospect of a serious influenza (flu) season in 2022.

A new consumer survey, commissioned by Australian vaccine manufacturer Seqirus, asked 1,000 adults aged 18 years and over about their attitudes to the flu.1

The results showed less than half (45%) of Australian adults in the survey think flu is a very serious condition that can lead to death in vulnerable people. Three in 10 respondents (29%) say they are not intending to get vaccinated against the flu while another 11% are still undecided.1

Leading infectious disease expert Professor Robert Booy says that we’ve had so little flu for so long that the reawakening of flu could be quite troublesome.

“For the last two years, we’ve had next to no flu, and vaccination rates have been low as well. As a consequence, the level of community protection has dropped significantly.”

“I’m concerned about the correlation between people who do not think that flu is serious and those who do not intend to get vaccinated,” said Professor Booy.

The survey showed that Australians who do not intend to get vaccinated for flu in 2022 are more likely than those intending to get vaccinated to say that flu is not a serious condition (29% compared to 11%).1

The data also showed a significant generational gap, with Baby Boomers more likely than younger generations to say they plan on getting the flu vaccine in 2022 (73% compared to 57% Gen X, 55% Millennials and 43% Gen Z). However, younger generations are more likely to say they would like to understand their flu vaccination options (39% Gen X, 42% Millennials and 43% Gen Z compared to 32% Baby Boomers). 1

Professor Booy also said there was the possibility that recent calls for Australians to “treat COVID just like flu” has had the unintended consequence of portraying flu as a milder disease.

“People need reminding that we’ve had some bad flu seasons in the past. Modelling data from 2010-2019, estimates that Australia averaged nearly 2,800 annual flu deaths, with more than 6,400 estimated deaths in 2017 and over 5,200 in 2019. There is no way of predicting what 2022 will be like so we need to do everything we can now to prepare.” 2

Two modest seasons of flu in Australia, limited personal contact and reduced international travel has clearly had an impact on attitudes, with only one in three (36%) Australians in the survey concerned about the upcoming 2022 flu season.1

According to Dr Daniel Furtner, Medical Director Vaccines & Biosecurity at Seqirus, protecting the public health of Australians will be crucial this winter, with our healthcare system facing pressure from COVID-19 and flu.

“The last few years have demonstrated how viruses can impact our lives, especially when we have low immunity. It’s important that we continue to focus on public health efforts including protecting high-risk communities, reducing transmission and helping people recover quickly,” said Dr Furtner.

“Washing your hands, staying home if you’re unwell, social distancing, mask-wearing on public transport and vaccination will continue to be important measures for protecting us from viruses like flu.”

Defence is strengthening its science and technology workforce by selecting 80 of Australia’s brightest minds to be fast-tracked into leadership positions.

The NAVIGATE program provides a pathway for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) specialists to transition into Defence, or to provide career mobility to current Defence STEM professionals.

Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro said this new program offers a unique opportunity for high-performing STEM professionals from a range of academic disciplines and different backgrounds.

“NAVIGATE will enhance Defence’s ability to leverage cutting-edge technology to keep Australians safe,” Professor Monro said.

“Strengthening our STEM workforce gives us a significant advantage that is central to our efforts to further strengthen Defence capability.

“This program ensures we are enabling the best talent from across our community to realise their full potential in the service of our nation.”

A key aim of NAVIGATE is to increase female representation, particularly at more senior levels, and the program was launched with pre-determined gender targets (40% female, 40% male and 20% any gender).

Applications closed in November; of the 818 applications received, 29% of applicants were female. There were 302 applicants shortlisted to move to the assessment stage, of which 31% were female.

Of the successful candidates offered a position on NAVIGATE, 43% were female, 49% were male, and 8% were undisclosed.

“This female representation figure is very encouraging,” Professor Monro said.

Participants in NAVIGATE will have the opportunity to work on solving some of Defence’s most significant science and technology challenges.

The 12-month program includes two six-month rotations, one-on-one mentoring and a dedicated professional development program, before participants are placed into a role within Defence.

For more information, see: https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/careers/navigate