Category: Australian News

Small brewers and distillers will benefit from $255 million in tax relief to support more jobs and investment as part of the 2021-22 Budget.
Under our plan to support jobs in this growing sector, small brewers and distillers will benefit from a tripling of the excise refund cap for small brewers and distillers from $100,000 to $350,000 per year.
From 1 July 2021 eligible brewers and distillers will be able to receive a full remission of any excise they pay, up to an annual cap of $350,000. Currently, eligible brewers and distillers are entitled to a refund of 60 per cent of the excise they pay, up to an annual cap of $100,000.
This will align the benefit available under the Excise Refund Scheme for brewers and distillers with the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) Producer Rebate.
There are around 600 brewers and 400 distillers across Australia, with around two thirds operating in rural and regional areas. The announced changes will allow these brewers and distillers to keep more of what they earn, helping them to invest, grow and support around 15,000 Australians that are currently employed in the sector.
Additional support to brewers and distillers across the country will also serve as much-needed relief for those businesses severely impacted by COVID-19.
Today’s announcement builds on the Morrison Government’s track record of supporting small brewers and distillers including by enabling them to automatically receive excise duty remissions when they lodge excise returns; providing them with record investment incentives; and fast tracking the reduction in the small company tax rate to 25 per cent by 1 July 2021.
The Morrison Government is committed to assisting local manufacturing businesses to grow, create jobs and support Australia’s economic recovery.

Greens MPs today are calling on the Federal Government to step up and redouble its efforts for the people of India and provide much needed assistance as the country battles millions of current cases.
India is currently facing a tragic second wave of COVID19 with a record 349,691 new cases on Sunday and 2,767 deaths. Hospitals are running out of medical supplies including oxygen and basic medicines, there aren’t enough hospital beds or ventilators. Cremation and burial sites are over capacity for the first time in recent memory.
Australia has announced it will send oxygen, ventilators and personal protective equipment to India as part of an immediate support package.
The Australian Government must engage with the Indian diaspora in Australia to continue to assess ongoing needs and ensure relief is comprehensive, sustained and delivered with utmost transparency.
The following list of urgent needs has been provided by Mercy Mission (MM) which is a coalition of NGOs based in Bengaluru that has come together to fight COVID.
1) Liquid Oxygen Cylinders and Jumbo cylinders which can be used by hospitals to increase procurement and use as demand has increased 4 to 5 fold and there is low transport and storage capacity at hospitals. As per reports, there is adequate generation capacity of Oxygen in industries, but the supply chain and transport / storage equipment is inadequate which will help immediately ease the situation.
2) Oxygen Concentrators of capacity 5L to 10L per min, which can be used by individuals in their homes.
3) Oxygen generating plants of sizes of 1KL that can be installed at individual hospitals and related equipment to build/ install the same.
4) Ventilators (invasive and non-invasive) and HFNC (High flow nasal cannula) machines that can be distributed to small hospitals to address critical patients.
5) At this moment, there is a shortage of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab medicines, which are being prescribed by doctors for moderate/ severe patients resulting in high demand.
Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said:
“We in Australia are in the unique situation of having COVID-19 well under control, and we should use this opportunity to help others.
“I’ve worked closely with groups from the Indian diaspora in Australia and they’re so distressed about what’s happening there and are calling on Australia to step up.
 
NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said:
“Australia talks big about the relationship with India when it comes to trade, this needs to extend to providing support when it is so desperately needed.
“In recognition of the risk of the crisis there, the Government has acted to limit arrivals from India but this must be balanced with a hand outstretched to help.
“Our assistance with oxygen, ventilators and medication right now could save thousands of lives, communities here deserve to know we have done what we can,” Mr Shoebridge said.

The Government will implement a temporary pause on travellers from India entering Australian territory if the passenger has been in India within 14 days of the person’s time of departure.
The temporary pause follows today’s meeting of National Cabinet and was based on advice about the worsening COVID-19 situation in India. The pause will come into effect at 12:01 am on Monday, 3 May 2021.
The risk assessment that informed the decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia who have acquired a COVID-19 infection in India.
Failure to comply with an emergency determination under the Biosecurity Act 2015 may incur a civil penalty of 300 penalty units, five years’ imprisonment, or both.
The temporary pause will be reconsidered on 15 May by the Government following advice from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). The CMO will consider the epidemiology in India and likely impacts on Australia’s quarantine capacity, and provide a further expert assessment of the public health risk to Australia to inform a proportionate response.
The Government does not make these decisions lightly. However, it is critical the integrity of the Australian public health and quarantine systems is protected and the number of COVID-19 cases in quarantine facilities is reduced to a manageable level.
India has been reporting more than 300,000 new cases of COVID-19 every day for the past week. The total number of cases in India is now close to 19 million and more than 200,000 people have died.
Our hearts go out to the people of India – and our Indian-Australian community. The friends and family of those in Australia are in extreme risk. Tragically, many are contracting COVID-19 and many, sadly, are dying every day.
Following consultation with the Indian Government, Australia has agreed to provide emergency medical supplies.
The initial package of support includes more than 1,000 non-invasive ventilators, with capacity to deploy up to a total of 3,000 ventilators.
The Government has offered to supply a significant package of personal protective equipment (PPE), including one million surgical masks, 500,000 P2/N95 masks, 100,000 surgical gowns, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields.

The Greens say that quarantine will be part of managing the pandemic for the foreseeable future and purpose built facilities should be built now.
“The Western Australian Government needs to urgently close the quarantine hotels that have been identified as high risk and improve other areas of its approach to quarantine. These hotels are not fit for purpose and we cannot go any longer using these sub-par facilities that can result in outbreaks.
“Hotels were never made to be medical facilities. While they may have been an emergency solution, we are now over a year into this pandemic and making the same mistakes over and over again.
“Mr McGowan went to the election on a promise of keeping Western Australians safe. At the moment our safety is in jeopardy if we don’t fix hotel quarantine. This is a state and national responsibility.
“There is no doubt that airborne transmission is playing a role in hotel quarantine outbreaks. The Federal Government must urgently update its own guidelines to recommend minimum ventilation and PPE standards that reflect the scientific evidence.
“It’s not good enough after the outbreak in WA last week that we still don’t have updated guidelines. Nor is it sensible to have Covid positive people near other people in quarantine, they shouldn’t be next door, on the same floor and ideally not in the same hotel.
“Under questioning at the Senate Select Committee into COVID-19 last night, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners confirmed that people over 50 years old who have underlying health conditions, including a history of blood clots, can get AstraZeneca. There is a good body of evidence that there are no underlying health conditions that predispose people to the rare side effect of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
“The Commonwealth Government must urgently update its messaging and play a role in addressing vaccine hesitancy, particularly amongst those who are hesitant because of discussions about the risks of blood clot.
“Australia clearly needs a no-fault vaccine compensation scheme to help increase vaccine confidence and secure other vaccine deals. Having such a scheme in place will ensure people don’t need to pursue compensation through the legal system in the rare event of adverse side effects.”

In a historic first, Australians living with a rare form of epilepsy will have access to a medicinal cannabis drug, which is being listed on Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time.
From 1 May 2021, Australians living with Dravet syndrome, will have access to Epidyolex^® (cannabidiol), a new treatment used in combination with at least two other anti-epileptic medicines on the PBS.
Epidyolex^® is only the second medicinal cannabis drug registered for supply in Australia, and the first one to be subsidised by the Australian Government on the PBS.
Dravet syndrome is a rare, genetic epileptic encephalopathy that gives rise to seizures which don’t respond well to the standard medications. The disorder begins in the first year of life in otherwise healthy infants.
About 8 out of 10 people with the syndrome have a gene mutation that causes problems in the way ion channels in the brain work. It is a “new” mutation and is not usually inherited.
Australia’s medicines regulator – the Therapeutic Goods Administration – says that, while there have been very few well-designed clinical trials using medicinal cannabis, the evidence to support its use in the treatment of certain childhood epilepsies is the strongest.
It is estimated that around 116 patients each year will benefit from the listing of Epidyolex^®, who might otherwise pay more than $24,000 per year for the treatment. Instead, they will now pay only $41.30 per script or $6.60 if they have a concession card.
We are also expanding the PBS listing of Asacol^® (mesalazine) for ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, with a new strength tablet designed to dissolve once it enters the intestines.
Inflammation is a normal way for the immune system to defend the body when it’s fighting off invaders, such as bacteria or viruses. Usually, the inflammation disappears once the invaders are destroyed. With ulcerative colitis, a problem with the immune system causes the inflammation to continue, damaging the walls of the digestive tract.
In 2020, over 650 patients accessed a similar form of mesalazine through the PBS, and will benefit from this additional treatment option. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $1,400 per course of treatment with this medicine.
Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved over 2,600 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 billion.
The Government’s commitment to ensuring that Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

Increasing numbers of doctors are training to become GPs in regional, rural and remote areas, which will deliver significant benefits to patients and communities in the bush.
The Australian Government’s 2021 Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program selection process has seen the largest number of acceptances – 1,434 doctors – in several years, more than 100 additional doctors than last year’s intake.
Of these, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine is allocated 150 training places, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is allocated 1,350.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said almost 700 of these doctors will undertake their training in regional, rural and remote locations across the country.
“The evidence does tell us that if you train in the regions you are likely to stay in the regions and that’s why we are focused on supporting the rural training pipeline,” Minister Coulton said.
“Rural and remote communities want safe and high quality primary healthcare services delivered by well- trained GPs with training in an extended rural skill set.
“Through work which is underway on long-term workforce and training reforms we want to look at opportunities to provide greater supervision and support for doctors and practical ways to build a sustainable and highly trained medical workforce.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Australian Government is strongly committed to bridging the city-country divide in providing health services to all Australians, by continuing to build the rural medical training pipeline.
“The AGPT Program is a central element in this and this latest intake means more doctors studying, training and working in regional, rural and remote locations,” Minister Hunt said.
Minister Coulton said the Federal Government understood that doctors who study and train in rural locations are more likely to choose to work and live there permanently, enjoying the benefits of a rural lifestyle.
“These high acceptance numbers show the AGPT program is working, with particular benefits for communities who may struggle to attract a GP,” Minister Coulton said.
The AGPT Program is for doctors interested in training to become a GP in Australia. Doctors can be placed anywhere – in cities or regional, rural and remote areas. Most successful applicants in this latest intake have already started training, with the rest to start in the next three months.

Queensland Health’s Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan, took on a new role this week as Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner, which will see her play a key role in the Federal Government’s agenda to increase access to rural health services and address rural workforce shortages.
Federal Rural Health Minister, Mark Coulton, and National Rural Health Commissioner, Prof Ruth Stewart, met with Prof Nowlan today in Brisbane to congratulate her and discuss priorities for the role.
Minister Coulton welcomed Prof Stewart’s engagment of Prof Nowlan, recognising the wealth of experience and expertise Prof Nowlan brings to the position.
“I welcome Shelley Nowlan’s appointment as Deputy Commissioner. A registered nurse with more than 30 years’ experience, Prof Nowlan holds a longstanding interest in the health outcomes of rural and remote Australians.
“Prof Nowlan’s professional qualifications and practical experience will provide real-world knowledge and insight to healthcare challenges in country Australia.”
Professor Ruth Stewart said Prof Nowlan had worked for decades to ensure nurses and midwives met the needs of people living in rural and regional Australia.
“Prof Nowlan’s work in strategic health policy, health reform, innovation, and program evaluation has supported the delivery of nurse and midwifery care in communities across Queensland,” Professor Stewart said.
“I look forward to working with Shelley to develop new and innovative ways to provide health services to people in rural and remote Australia and make it an even better.”
Minister Coulton said the appointment of Deputy Commissioners is part of the Government’s expansion of the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner to elevate its effectiveness and capacity to engage with rural challenges in a more holistic manner.
“By engaging two Deputy Commissioners to provide expert advice on allied health, nursing, and Indigenous health disciplines and making the National Rural Health Commissioner a permanent office, we are ensuring rural challenges receive the attention and the expertise they deserve.
Prof Nowlan is the second of two Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner to be announced. Associate Professor, Dr Faye McMillan, was announced last month as a Deputy Commissioner. Prof Nowlan is engaged as Deputy Commissioner until 30 June 2022.

Australia’s Foreign Arrangements Scheme has been in operation since 10 December 2020. The Scheme requires states and territories, local governments and Australian public universities to notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs of existing and proposed foreign arrangements. I have so far been notified of over 1,000 arrangements.
States and territories have now completed their initial audit of existing arrangements with foreign national governments.
The more than 1,000 notified so far reflect the richness and breadth of Australia’s international interests and demonstrate the important role played by Australia’s states, territories, universities and local governments in advancing Australia’s interests abroad.
I thank the states and territories for their cooperation and for what is developing as a cooperative approach under the Scheme.
Following review and consideration of arrangements, I can advise that the following four will be cancelled:

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Education and Training (Victoria) and the Technical and Vocational Training Organisation, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed 25 November 2004.
• Protocol of Scientific Cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education in the Syrian Arab Republic and the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training of Victoria, signed 31 March 1999.
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Victoria and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, signed 8 October 2018.
• Framework Agreement between the Government of Victoria and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China on Jointly Promoting the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, signed on 23 October 2019.

I consider these four arrangements to be inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations in line with the relevant test in Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020.
I have also decided to approve a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Human Resources Development in Energy and Mineral Resources Sector between the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation of the Government of Western Australia and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia.
I will continue to consider foreign arrangements notified under the Scheme. I expect the overwhelming majority of them to remain unaffected. I look forward to ongoing collaboration with states, territories, universities and local governments in implementing the Foreign Arrangements Scheme.

The Greens have reiterated their calls for Australia to support a global vaccine patent waiver, supported by more than 100 countries, ahead of a critical World Trade Organization council meeting on Friday.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, International Aid and Development spokesperson, said:
“This is a matter of global justice and responsibility. It is morally bankrupt for Australia to give anything other than full-throated support for the patent waiver.
“Rich, western countries banding together to hoard vaccines and deny them to poorer countries where thousands are dying daily is white supremacy, plain and simple.”
“It’s well overdue for the government to come out with a clear position in support of the waiver.
“The lives and health of billions of people matter far more than the profits of big pharmaceutical companies.
“The Greens stand with the hundreds of Australian health professionals who have this week come out in support of the patent waiver.”
Senator Rachel Siewert, Health spokesperson, said:
“The Australian Government is enabling vaccine apartheid in not supporting a proposal to the World Trade Organisation to waive intellectual property rights to allow Covid-19 vaccine production to be rolled out and made accessible and affordable to everyone in the global community.
“The Australian Government has to act immediately on this issue, they have been dragging their feet far too long on it.
“The Government needs to play a role in ensuring big pharma moves to temporarily waive intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines to facilitate universal access.
“Covid-19 vaccines should be seen as a public good, not a commodity.
“Australia has a global responsibility to ensure lower GDP nations get adequate and timely access to vaccines.
“It’s very clear that none of us are safe, until we are all safe.”

The Morrison Government will invest $747 million to upgrade four key training areas and ranges in the Northern Territory to enable the Australian Defence Force to conduct simulated training exercises and remain battle ready.
Essential upgrades will be made to four key military training areas and weapon ranges in the Northern Territory, including: Robertson Barracks, Kangaroo Flats, Mount Bundey and Bradshaw.
These Defence training areas and facilities will support greater engagement with our Indo-Pacific neighbours and our allies, and to conduct small and large scale military exercises across a number of different scenarios.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investment was part of almost $8 billion in defence capital infrastructure works over the next decade in the Northern Territory.
“This investment will deliver a jobs boom for the Northern Territory,” the Prime Minister said.
“We continue to invest more than $270 billion in defence capability across Australia over the next decade, ensuring we have a capable defence force to meet a changing global environment, while backing thousands of ADF men and women with the newest technology and training,” the Prime Minister said.
“Working with the United States and Indo-Pacific neighbours, we will continue to advance Australia’s interests by investing in the Australian Defence Force, particularly across Northern Australia.”
“Our focus is on pursuing peace, stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific, with a world order that favours freedom.
“This investment will also maximise local jobs through a targeted industry plan to contract local businesses throughout the entire supply chain. My commitment is keeping Australians safe and keeping Australians in jobs.”
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said this significant investment would ensure the Australian Defence Force continues to deliver world class training and our engagement with allies and other nations through the conduct of joint training exercises, including with the US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin.
“This investment is critical to ensuring that our ADF land combat capability is equipped with the cutting edge technology it will require to maintain our competitive advantage,” Minister Dutton said.
“These works will provide a strong economic benefit to the region, with significant opportunities for the local construction industry and local tradies over a five-year delivery phase program.
“Significant opportunities will exist for local Australian industry to bid for almost all of the construction works, planned to be delivered through numerous local sub-contractor packages by Defence’s local Darwin-based Managing Contractor, Sitzler.”
Subject to Parliamentary approvals, construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2021, with completion expected by mid-2026.