Category: Australian News

The Morrison Government has welcomed the formal submission of the final report from the Disability Royal Commission on Public Hearing 12, which examined the experiences of people with disability through the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout.
The Disability Royal Commission held a public hearing focusing on the vaccine program in May 2021. Since then, vaccination rates among Australians with disability have significantly increased with an ongoing focus on supporting access to ensure maximum protection from severe outcomes of COVID-19.
More than 77 per cent of NDIS participants in shared residential accommodation are fully vaccinated, and more than 217,000 (77 percent) NDIS participants 16 years and over have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 66 percent fully vaccinated. This is an increase of more than 186,000 NDIS participants since late May.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Government has accepted six of the seven recommendations and noted the seventh, emphasising that significant progress in the vaccination rollout for people with disability has already been made.
Recommendation 4 concerns the easing of restrictions in line with vaccination thresholds being reached, which the Minster noted is the responsibility of state and territory governments.
“Many of the recommendations from this report go to measures which have already been put in place – the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has always demanded quick assessment, response and action,” Minister Hunt said.
“Our Government will approach these recommendations as important pointers to supporting Australians with disability to access and rely on the protection of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“The health response to COVID-19 and the vaccine rollout have both demanded quick action and continue to be shaped by expert advice and direct feedback to deliver the greatest possible protection and support to all Australians.”
The Morrison Government has led significant consultation with people across the disability community, including active and regular engagement with people with disability, their families, carers, NDIS providers and unions. This work has helped drive vaccination rates and deliver support for people with disability and workers within the disability sector to access vaccines.
The Morrison Government refutes many findings in the report, including criticism of the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategy. As a high-level document, the strategy provided an overview and pathway forward which has been adapted and updated following consultation and expert advice throughout the vaccination program.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Australians with disability have been a priority throughout the rollout.
“Since commencing as the Minister for the NDIS I have very actively engaged with disability representative organisations, NDIS providers, sector peaks, states and territories and other disability stakeholders in relation to the vaccine rollout, “ Minister Reynolds said.
“This engagement with the disability sector has directly informed portfolio actions to support people with disability to have the opportunity to access COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Since the commencement of the vaccine program, people with disability in residential accommodation settings of 2 or more people, and the workers supporting them, have been prioritised in Phase 1A, with access to vaccines from February 2021 which now sees more than 77 percent of NDIS participants over 16 years of age living in shared residential accommodation now fully vaccinated.
“Many other people with a disability joined the priority list from March 2021 under Phase 1B, which specifically focused vaccine access on people with underlying medical conditions. This prioritisation is reflected in the high vaccination numbers amongst all NDIS participants, with 77 percent of NDIS participants over 16 years having received at least one dose, and impressively nearly 60 per cent of NDIS participants aged 12-15 years having received at least one dose, since becoming eligible in late-August.
“In addition, from 8 November 2021 people in high priority groups, including residents of disability facilities, will be the first eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. The booster program will roll out directly to people living in disability facilities through an in-reach program.”
Resources about the vaccine strategy and how it relates to people with disability are readily available. Disability peak bodies and providers have also provided support to the Government’s communication efforts, disseminating accurate and accessible COVID-19 disease and vaccine information.

From 1 November 2021, Australians with a respiratory illness, early onset puberty and blood cancer will have improved access to subsidised medicines through new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable lung disease, which causes the airways in the lungs to narrow, making it difficult to breathe.
About 1 in 20 Australians aged 45 years and over have COPD, tragically, in 2018 it was the fifth leading cause of death.
Breztri Aerosphere^® (budesonide + glycopyrronium + formoterol) will be available from November 1, 2021 on the PBS to treat COPD.
The three ingredients of Breztri Aerosphere^® work to reduce swelling and irritation in the lungs and relax the muscles in the airways. Together, they act to relieve and prevent shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing.
Without PBS subsidy, around 68,000 Australians per year might pay more than $1,000 per year for treatment.
Also from 1 November 2021, Diphereline^® (triptorelin) will be expanded to include the treatment of central precocious puberty (CCP).
In Australia, the average age for the onset of puberty is around 10 years for girls and 12 years for boys. In central precocious puberty, this onset occurs earlier – before 8 years of age in girls and before 9 years in boys.
More common in girls, CCP can cause physical, emotional, behavioural and social problems. Diphereline is a new treatment option, which will help children manage the condition and reduce the number of consultations needed.
Diphereline^® works by lowering the levels of the hormone oestrogen for females and testosterone in males that lead to puberty-related changes to the body.
Without PBS subsidy, around 800 Australians per year might pay more than $3,600 per year for treatment.
Earlier this year, Darzalex^® (daratumumab) was listed on the PBS for the first time for use in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, as a second-line treatment for around Australians with multiple myeloma.
Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow and it is estimated that around 2,423 Australians will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2021. Darzalex® is a ground-breaking treatment mobilises the patient’s own immune system to fight the disease. This treatment will bring improved clinical outcomes and quality of life for those affected by this disease.
From 1 November 2021, these patients will now have access to a new subcutaneous form of Darzalex®, which means it can be given as an injection under the skin.
This additional treatment option for patients will provide a more convenient alternative, delivered as a 5‑minute injection that can be administered at home compared with the intravenous infusion which is given over several hours in a healthcare facility.
Without PBS subsidy, around 1,165 Australians per year might pay more than $136,000 per course of treatment with this new subcutaneous form.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said thousands of Australians and their families will benefit from these new and expanded listings, which will also reduce out of pocket costs.
“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 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 $13.9 billion,” Minister Hunt said.
“Without PBS subsidies many Australians would be thousands of dollars out of pocket, instead they’ll only pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card for these medicines.
“The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.”
Also available from November 1, 2021, Verzenio® (abemaciclib) will be expanded for use in combination with fulvestrant through the PBS. A new treatment option for Australians battling advanced forms of breast cancer.
These PBS listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The Greens say proposed voter identification laws are a solution in search of a problem that will only serve to disenfranchise voters who are already largely excluded from the political process.
The mooted laws, which have long been championed by the far right, could wrongly exclude eligible voters, including First Nations voters, young voters, homeless or itinerant voters, and voters escaping domestic violence.
Greens deputy leader and democracy spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said:
“Voter identification laws are a purely political tactic from a government that’s sliding in the polls and desperate to ignite a culture war to boost its electoral fortunes.
“Voter ID laws are a solution in search of a problem. At the last federal election there were a total of 19 verified instances of double voting. There is zero credible evidence that election outcomes are being corrupted by voter fraud.
“Recent legislative changes allow the Australian Electoral Commission to identify voters suspected of multiple voting and require their future ballots to be cast by declaration. This reform is more than enough to address any perceived risk of multiple voting.
“Far from safeguarding our elections, voter identification laws would in fact be likely to make them less democratic, disenfranchising many citizens who are entirely eligible to vote.
“The government is insisting on seeing voters’ IDs, but won’t try to find out the ID of Porter’s donors. And while they’re rushing through a bill to deal with imaginary integrity issues, the Australian people are still waiting on an ICAC bill to deal with real integrity issues.
“This is cynical Trumpian politicking on the eve of an election, designed to inflame culture war tensions, undermine confidence in our electoral systems and suppress the vote.”

With Scott Morrison’s fraudulent plan setting us up for climate failure, Greens Leader Adam Bandt has outlined the essential components of a Net Zero strategy that will reduce emissions, protect regional communities, and meet an emissions reduction strategy consistent with the science, following a UN Emissions Gap Report showing that the gap between submitted emissions reduction targets and the required action is on track for a catastrophic 2.7 degrees of warming.
Under such a rise Australia, the driest inhabited continent, will suffer extreme heat waves, bushfires, floods and more than twice as many droughts.
Even though many countries have stepped up to the Paris goal, weak targets like those Scott Morrison is taking to Glasgow are responsible for the ‘gap’.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said: 
“We needed a plan based on science but instead we got science fiction, a story where someone rides in on a unicorn in 2049 with technology that doesn’t yet exist and somehow saves us,” Mr Bandt said.
“The United Nations has today rung the alarm bells, warning that with the current lack of political leadership, the world is on track for 2.7 degrees of warming.
“Scott Morrison’s fraudulent plan will cost 64,000 people dependent on a healthy Great Barrier Reef their jobs, see thousands die from heatwaves and dry up Australia’s agricultural food bowls.
“If we keep mining and burning coal and gas, we won’t stop the climate crisis.
“The government’s non-binding projections count for nothing and anything less than a full NDC pledge for 75% reduction by 2030 is giving up on the Paris goal of 1.5 degrees of warming.
“Coal and gas are the major causes of the climate crisis, but both Liberal and Labor want more, with plans to dig up coal beyond 2050.
“The only way to get climate action is by kicking the climate-denying Liberals out and putting the Greens into balance of power, so we can push the next government to take the climate action the science requires.”
Essential components of a plan for Net Zero:

1. No new coal and gas
2. End fossil fuel subsidies
3. Significant public investment to hit 100% renewable electricity by 2030
4. 100% of new light vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, including consumer subsidies and a national buildout of the fast charging network
5. Phase out of thermal coal exports by 2030 with a plan to transition workers into new mining and manufacturing jobs
6. Restore the price on carbon, which was successfully reducing emissions until its destruction by the Liberals
7. Home electrification and subsidies for domestic and community batteries to supplement utility scale development
8. $12bn to transform Australia into a green hydrogen and green manufacturing export powerhouse
9. Immediate end to native forest logging and broadscale land clearing to keep our existing carbon sinks intact
10. Net-zero by 2035 with net-negative in the years beyond until we return the world to a safe climate

The Greens say the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Voter Integrity) Bill 2021, introduced to parliament today, is more cynical Morrison Government politicking that will make our elections less democratic.
Greens deputy leader and democracy spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said:
“These laws are pure politics, designed to fix a fictional problem dreamed up in the fevered imaginations of the most extreme right wing fantasists.
“Pauline Hanson is gleefully taking credit for this bill, even though it’s exactly what the right wing reactionaries in the Morrison Government have wanted all along. The public has had a gutful of collusion between One Nation and the Morrison Government.
“The Australian Electoral Commission itself has said there is no evidence that systemic, widespread voter fraud exists in Australia and there were no there no prosecutions for multiple voting at the last election.
“Fixing this imaginary problem will create real ones. Many Australians do not have driver’s licences or know where their birth certificates are, and obtaining ID can be very difficult and expensive.
“Requiring voters to produce ID won’t make our elections fairer, it will disenfranchise thousands of voters, undermine electoral outcomes and damage public faith in our democracy.
“The PM is clearly taking his cues from Trump’s Republican Party, whose attempts to suppress the vote in many states have led to rancour and division.
“The Morrison Government is desperate. It’s deeply unpopular and flagging in the polls and an election is around the corner.
“Australians see through the government’s cynical attempt to import US-style segregationist politics and open up a new front of the culture wars to boost its fading electoral prospects.”

Angus Taylor was today quoted in The Australian saying, “no affordable, practical and large-scale way exists to reduce [methane from agriculture] other than by culling herd sizes”.
This is simply negative politics and scaremongering. Exciting opportunities exist to tackle this problem, creating new industries and jobs. We just need to get on with it.
Researchers found cows belched out 82% less methane after putting a small amount of seaweed in their feed for five months. Recent trials of Tasmanian red seaweed – Asparagopsis – show methane can be reduced by up to 98%.
Greens spokesperson for Agriculture, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said: 
“Agriculture in Australia is responsible for about 13.5% of the country’s emissions, most of them coming in the form of methane produced by burping livestock.
“Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has a goal to reach net zero emissions across the industry by 2030.
“This week I asked MLA at Senate Estimates about the potential for large scale applications of methane reducing seaweed as cattle feed, and they said they hold high hopes for this future.
“Rather than playing unhelpful cynical politics, the Minister should focus on urgently funding more innovation for fledgling businesses like Tasmanian company Sea Forest, that are emerging to solve these problems. These are the industries of the future, and the Minister knows that, but it just doesn’t suit the Liberal Party’s self serving rhetoric.”

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that arrangements for the return of international students to Australia must treat students with respect and not subject them to burdensome quarantine arrangements that will not apply to others.
Senator Faruqi said:
“The current patchwork of state and territory plans, with Commonwealth oversight, are confusing and alarming for students, and do not provide any real certainty about arrangements for students’ return.
“I’m worried by Queensland’s plans to force fully-vaccinated international students into several weeks of paid quarantine at purpose-built facilities, while Australian citizens and other visa-holders are permitted to walk straight off the plane.
“Not only would this have a clearly discriminatory effect, it would send a very negative signal to international students about their value in our community.
“We must treat these students fairly and avoid a situation where they are put through burdensome quarantine arrangements that do not apply to others. They should be treated equally and with respect.
“Last year, we saw international students abandoned in the government’s response to the pandemic, including through a lack of access to financial support. Thousands of students have nevertheless decided to stick with their studies in Australia.
“I have written to Minister Tudge to ask that the Commonwealth works closely with its state and territory counterparts to ensure that international students do not face discrimination upon their return to Australia.”

To provide even greater protection against COVID-19, Australians aged 18 and over who have received two doses at least six months ago, are now eligible to have a booster shot.
Vaccines will be available for eligible people from November 8, following advice from Australia’s vaccine experts; the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and approval from Australia’s medicines regulator; the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program is now one of the most successful in the world – with more than 75 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over being fully vaccinated.
The Government has accepted ATAGI’s advice that the Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine is recommended for the booster dose, irrespective of the primary COVID-19 vaccine used.
The booster shot is not mandatory, however it provides further protection against the worst effects of COVID-19.
Those first eligible for a booster, based on when they completed their two-dose course, will be people in high priority groups who were prioritised early in the roll out of the vaccine program.
This includes Australians aged 50 and over, residents of aged care and disability facilities, people with underlying medical conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and people at increased occupational risk of COVID-19.
The booster program will roll out directly to people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities and people with a disability through an in-reach program.
Frontline workers are strongly encouraged to book in to get a booster dose, if six months has passed since their second dose.
The Australian Government will consider the possibility of other vaccines being used for booster shots if successful applications are submitted to the TGA, and pending advice from ATAGI.
The Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots are free and will be available through the primary healthcare network (GPs, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics) and state and territory vaccination hubs.
Australians will be able to book and receive their booster doses from 8 November 2021.
Although vaccines are the best defence against COVID-19, Australians are reminded to continue implementing other safety measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus. Physical distancing, hand washing, wearing a face mask, and following other public health measures continue to be important for public safety.
For more details about the Australian Government’s vaccine roll out, visit aus.gov.au
The ATAGI advice is available on the Department of Health website at health.gov.au

The Coalition Government has acted decisively to protect the Australian community from foreign criminals, murderers, paedophiles and rapists by cancelling or refusing 10,000 visas on character grounds since 2014.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the Morrison Government had zero tolerance for non-citizens who endanger Australians or engage in criminal activity.
“Coming to Australia and staying here is a privilege. There’s no place in Australia for anyone who would abuse our laws or harm our community,” Minister Andrews said.
“Since 2014, the Coalition Government has cancelled almost 7,000 visas and refused more than 3,000 – denying every one of these individuals the opportunity to do Australians harm.”
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke said it was imperative that non-citizens wanting to visit or live in Australia align with our identity, security, health and character requirements.
“The Morrison Government takes very seriously the protection of Australians from violent and sexual non-citizen offenders. Dangerous and criminal non-citizens do not deserve an Australian visa. That’s why the Coalition has acted to cancel or refuse 10,000 visas since 2014,” Minister Hawke said.
“Non-citizens who do not comply with visa conditions, or who may pose a risk to the health and safety of the Australian community, are liable for visa cancellation.”
“Last week the Labor Party voted against new laws to remove more foreign criminals from Australia. Anthony Albanese needs to explain this decision to the Australian people,” Minister Hawke said.
A person may not pass the character test for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, that they have a substantial criminal record, or are suspected of associating with, or being a member of, a group involved in criminal conduct.
Additional information on character requirements and cancellations is available at the Department of Home Affairs website.

Fully vaccinated Australians will not require an exemption to depart Australia from 1 November 2021.
With millions of Australians now fully vaccinated, and more joining them each and every day, the Morrison Government can safely welcome fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents across Australia’s international border in increasing numbers.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the Morrison Government was committed to easing restrictions for fully vaccinated Australians, in line with soaring vaccination rates and the National Plan to transition Australia’s COVID-19 response.
“Our first priority is Australian citizens and permanent residents and today we are delivering on that by removing restrictions on fully-vaccinated Australians travelling out of Australia. The easing of these restrictions is possible thanks to our impressive national vaccination rates, and I thank all those who have done the right thing and rolled up their sleeve,” Minister Andrews said.
“I look forward to further easing restrictions over coming weeks and months as more and more Australians become fully vaccinated. Before the end of the year, we anticipate welcoming fully vaccinated skilled workers and international students.
“Our system of border exemptions has kept Australia free from widespread COVID transmission for more than 18 months, but as Australia’s vaccination rate continues to climb, and the end of the year approaches, the Morrison Government stands ready to once more welcome a significant number of fully vaccinated people across Australia’s international border.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said increases in COVID-19 vaccination meant changes to the Human Biosecurity Determination on outbound international travel could now safely be made. These changes have been made on medical advice regarding the protection provided by COVID-19 vaccination for travelling Australians.
“Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel overseas, will need to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with a TGA approved or recognised vaccine, with the second dose occurring at least seven days prior to travel. These changes will also facilitate travel by children under 12 years of age,” Minister Hunt said.
“We want Australians to be able to reunite with their loved ones, whether it’s for births, weddings or just to visit family. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect our community against COVID-19 and I’d like to thank every single Australian who has come forward and received a COVID-19 vaccine, which has helped us get to this point.”
People who do not meet these eligibility requirements will continue to require a travel exemption to travel overseas, and will be subject to current passenger caps and quarantine arrangements (managed by states and territories) when returning to Australia.
More information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. Travellers should also familiarise themselves with state and territory quarantine arrangements.
New changes to the Human Biosecurity Determinations also clarify the arrangements for incoming international travel by creating clear exemptions for medical evacuation flights and people who are ‘persistent shedders’ of the COVID-19 virus.
They also simplify the pre-flight testing requirements to be three days (rather than 72 hours) and ensure that decisions on exemptions to testing are taken on the basis of recent medical advice.
The Australian Government is committed to protecting all Australians from COVID-19, and balancing the desire of international visitors to come to Australia.
Appropriate steps to mitigate the risk of existing or emerging strains of COVID-19 must be a part of our plan to reopen Australia to the world.
More information on pre-departure testing and requirements for masks during the flight is available on the Department of Health website.