Category: Australian News

The Commonwealth and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Governments are working together to extend the COVID-19 Business Support Grants in line with the extension of the ACT lockdown to 2 September.
The ACT COVID-19 Business Support Grants will deliver support of up to $10,000 for employing businesses and $4,000 for non-employing businesses over the three week lockdown period where those businesses’ turnover has declined by 30 per cent or more as a result of the COVID-19 health restrictions.
Businesses must be registered in the ACT and able to demonstrate their primary operation in the ACT, have an annual turnover of more than $75,000, be registered for GST and have a total payroll of less than $10 million. They will also need to provide evidence of a 30 per cent reduction in their turnover.
The package will be split on a 50/50 basis between the Commonwealth and the ACT Governments, with the Territory government to administer the program.
This is a similar arrangement that has been in place for businesses in other jurisdictions impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns.
With news of this extension, the detailed guidelines and the application process are now being finalised and will be made available as soon as possible.
Businesses can register their interest for the grants and the Covid-19 Business Hardship Scheme on the Business Hub website.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Morrison and ACT governments were working together to ensure households and businesses are supported during this challenging time.
“The Morrison Government recognises the announced extension of the lockdown will have a significant impact on households and businesses in the ACT,” the Treasurer said.
“That is why we are providing the necessary economic assistance in the form of the COVID-19 Disaster Payments for individuals and expanded businesses support along with the ACT Government.”
“This support builds on the $2.1 billion the Federal Government has delivered to households and businesses in the capital.”
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the extended package would help to keep businesses in business and people in jobs.
“We know that extended lockdowns are particularly hard for businesses, especially those who have been experiencing a downturn in trade for some months due to restrictions interstate, the Chief Minister said.
“The ACT Government will continue to work constructively with the Commonwealth Government to support businesses and keep people in jobs.”
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said the Federal Government was committed to supporting the needs of businesses across the Territory at this challenging time.
“Ensuring our support is as accessible as possible is important to provide certainty and confidence for Canberra businesses impacted by this lockdown,” Senator Seselja said.
“The next few weeks will be tough for many businesses and small business owners, and this support together with the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster payment will assist businesses to stay connected with their employees, and be able to reopen and recover as quickly as possible when lockdown ends.”
“The Federal Government remains committed to co-funding additional business support measures on a 50/50 basis with the ACT Government, should they put forward further proposals.”
More details are available via www.act.gov.au/business/business-support/covid-19-economic-support-for-business

A shocking investigation by Nine into Australia’s largest white supremacist group has uncovered the most horrific evidence yet of a growing far-right movement, the Greens say.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens anti-racism spokesperson, said:
“The investigation is shocking but not entirely surprising for those of us who have followed the rise of the far-right closely and are impacted by racism and its deadly consequences.
“These men want nothing less than a white ethno-state and violence against any minorities and anti-racists who seek to stand in its way. If not dealt with now, they will pose an existential threat to our multicultural society.
“We have to deal with the extremists themselves, but also the political environment in which they are emboldened and led down a path of hate. Too often, racism is given a free pass in media and mainstream politics.
“The government must develop, fund and roll out a far-reaching anti-racism plan. We know white supremacy and racism is festering in society. There is no time to waste. We need an unambiguous commitment to anti-racism.
“There must be a zero tolerance approach. Laws on hate speech must be enforced and strengthened and community programs to counter the far-right require significant investment.”
Senator Lidia Thorpe, Greens First Nations and justice spokesperson, said:
“First Nations people have faced the violence of white supremacy since colonisation. Will the Morrison government take a stand against the latest threat, or be complicit in their silence?
“We need to be clear about who and what constitutes a threat to our communities.
“In 2019, an Australian was responsible for two mass shootings at Mosques in Aotearoa (New Zealand). In 2020, ASIO revealed that 40% of counter-terrorism cases involve far-right violent extremism. In 2021, what is the Morrison government doing to keep Aboriginal people and multicultural communities safe?

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that early learning and care services impacted by lockdowns must be supported through relief payments.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Thousands of early learning centres came to the brink of collapse in 2020 and we don’t want to see the same situation repeating itself.
“Centres are struggling to keep their doors open. Relying on the gap-fee waiver is unsustainable. In the end, families, children and early educators will be impacted.
“Relief payments can be made to ensure centres remain open and viable. It’s beyond time for the Education Minister to announce a scheme for all those centres affected by lockdowns across the country.
“With the current wave hitting many parts of the country, this system should be flexible and able to be switched on when lockdowns are ordered. This should be top priority.
“At the end of the day, this grim situation just underscores how broken the system is. Early learning and care should be universal and free, well-funded by the government, and not run for profit.”

One in four young Australians are affected by a mental illness every year. Many young people have also been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it more important than ever to ensure access to youth mental health services.
The headspace program aims to improve access for young people aged 12 to 25 years who have, or are at risk of, mental illness. headspace provides free or low cost youth-friendly support in four key areas—mental health, related physical health, substance misuse, and social and vocational support.
This new headspace service is part of the Morrison Government’s $111.3 million funding commitment to establish 30 new headspace services.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said young people have been significantly affected by the impacts of bushfires, floods and COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever.
“headspace offers a safe, welcoming place where young people can get non-judgmental professional help and peer support and provides quality frontline support, ensuring the best possible care for people who are at risk,” Minister Hunt said.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring young Australians can get information, advice, counselling or treatment, when and where they need it.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said mental health and suicide prevention remained one of the Morrison Government’s highest priorities.
“To date, headspace has provided 3.6 million services to people around Australia, and we are committed to ensuring young Australians can continue to get information, advice, counselling or treatment, when and where they need it,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“In the 2021-22 Budget, we provided an additional $278.6 million to strengthen the national headspace network by establishing new services and significantly enhancing those that already exist to ensure young people get the support and care they need. This will bring the Government’s investments in the headspace network over the next four years to a record $873.2 million.”
Senator for Victoria, Senator Sarah Henderson said the official opening of the Ocean Grove site will provide localised, tailored support for young people close to home.
“There are more pressures on young people today than ever before and the expansion of headspace will be vitally important in providing additional services for young people in Ocean Grove,” Senator Henderson said.
“We know intervention at the earliest possible stage is important to reduce the duration and impact of mental illness, so I encourage young people in our community to reach out if they need help.
“This support for young people suffering mental health challenges will be very welcome in the Ocean Grove community and across the Bellarine.”
This headspace satellite service has been commissioned by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and is designed to meet the needs of young people in Ocean Grove.
The Morrison Government continues to make mental health a national priority, investing a record $2.3 billion in the 2021-22 Budget for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform of the mental health system.
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through headspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), Lifeline (13 11 14), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au).
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 on their website.

The situation on the ground in Kabul, as in the rest of Afghanistan, is evolving rapidly.
As in any crisis situation, the Australian Government’s priority is to ensure the safety of its citizens. We have over 130 Australians in Afghanistan, working in the UN, NGOs, and elsewhere, and we are working to bring them and their families home.
We are also assisting those who have been granted humanitarian visas, and others who are in the process of applying for protection.
We are closely connected to the US, UK, Canada, and other allies and partners.
As a partner committed for many years to helping Afghanistan build its future, we are deeply concerned at the potential for further loss of life and suffering.
The Taliban must cease all violence against civilians, and adhere to international humanitarian law and the human rights all Afghans are entitled to expect, in particular women and girls. The Taliban will be held fully accountable for any killing or other mistreatment of Afghan military and other security forces who have surrendered or been captured. Afghan Government officials and elected political leaders are fully entitled to be treated with safety, respect and dignity.
The Taliban’s leadership is responsible and accountable for the conduct of its forces.
Those preparing to leave the country must be able to do so without threat or hinderance. We will continue to work with key partners in the days ahead to enable this safe passage.

Young Australians across the Bellarine will now have easier access to mental health services when and where they need it most, with the opening of a new headspace satellite service this week.
One in four young Australians are affected by a mental illness every year. Many young people have also been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it more important than ever to ensure access to youth mental health services.
The headspace program aims to improve access for young people aged 12 to 25 years who have, or are at risk of, mental illness. headspace provides free or low cost youth-friendly support in four key areas—mental health, related physical health, substance misuse, and social and vocational support.
This new headspace service is part of the Morrison Government’s $111.3 million funding commitment to establish 30 new headspace services.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said young people have been significantly affected by the impacts of bushfires, floods and COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever.
“headspace offers a safe, welcoming place where young people can get non-judgmental professional help and peer support and provides quality frontline support, ensuring the best possible care for people who are at risk,” Minister Hunt said.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring young Australians can get information, advice, counselling or treatment, when and where they need it.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said mental health and suicide prevention remained one of the Morrison Government’s highest priorities.
“To date, headspace has provided 3.6 million services to people around Australia, and we are committed to ensuring young Australians can continue to get information, advice, counselling or treatment, when and where they need it,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“In the 2021-22 Budget, we provided an additional $278.6 million to strengthen the national headspace network by establishing new services and significantly enhancing those that already exist to ensure young people get the support and care they need. This will bring the Government’s investments in the headspace network over the next four years to a record $873.2 million.”
Senator for Victoria, Senator Sarah Henderson said the official opening of the Ocean Grove site will provide localised, tailored support for young people close to home.
“There are more pressures on young people today than ever before and the expansion of headspace will be vitally important in providing additional services for young people in Ocean Grove,” Senator Henderson said.
“We know intervention at the earliest possible stage is important to reduce the duration and impact of mental illness, so I encourage young people in our community to reach out if they need help.
“This support for young people suffering mental health challenges will be very welcome in the Ocean Grove community and across the Bellarine.”
This headspace satellite service has been commissioned by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and is designed to meet the needs of young people in Ocean Grove.
The Morrison Government continues to make mental health a national priority, investing a record $2.3 billion in the 2021-22 Budget for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform of the mental health system.
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through headspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), Lifeline (13 11 14), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au).
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 on their website.

One million additional Pfizer doses will begin arriving in Australia from tonight after a significant agreement was reached with the Republic of Poland.
The additional doses are on top of the 40 million Pfizer doses that Australia has already secured for 2021, and will provide a boost to the vaccine roll-out across the country.
The one million doses will be targeted to Australians aged 20 to 39 years of age, who were identified in the Doherty Modelling as the peak transmitters of COVID-19.
530,010 doses will be prioritised for express delivery to the 12 Greater Sydney Local Government Areas where the COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow, following advice from the Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly.
This will give everyone aged 20 to 39 years in the 12 LGAs the opportunity to be vaccinated.
The remaining 470,340 Pfizer doses will be distributed on a per capita basis to other states and territories, to fast-track the vaccination of 20 to 39 year olds and other high risk groups.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new Pfizer doses would start being administered in State Clinics across Greater Sydney this week.
“There are a million doses of hope on their way,” the Prime Minister said.
“Within days of landing in Australia, these extra Pfizer doses will be available to go into the arms of young Australians in our hardest hit COVID hot-spots.
“These young Australians are often the backbone of our essential workforce and these doses will not only protect them, but their loved ones, their state and our nation.
“We can get on top of this by working together to suppress and vaccinate.
“I want to personally thank Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his government for their generous support of Australia’s COVID-19 response, during this challenging time.
“We continue to leave no stone unturned in the supply and administration of vaccines to protect Australian lives and livelihoods.”
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne, said Australia’s network of diplomats was working hard to identify opportunities to secure additional vaccine supplies.
“This is a demonstration of the value of Australia’s close engagement with other governments and a strong example of countries cooperating and supporting one another as we face the pandemic together,” Minister Payne said.
“This deal also illustrates that our diplomatic capability is delivering in ways that protect and support Australians at home and abroad throughout this pandemic.”
Australia purchased surplus vaccines, which were produced at Pfizer’s Belgium facility, on a not-for-profit basis from the Republic of Poland. These are the same highly safe and effective Pfizer vaccines that are currently being administered in Australia.
These additional one million come on top of the three million doses of Pfizer brought forward from the fourth quarter to now, which has increased the weekly arrivals of Pfizer from 600,000 to one million per week.
Minister for Health and Aged Care said the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provided regulatory approval for the supply of these Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses manufactured at Pfizer’s facilities in Belgium.
“In order to ensure their quality and safety, the vaccines will undergo the same TGA batch release processes as all other COVID-19 vaccines,” Minister Hunt said.
“The TGA’s processes are I believe the best in the world and we have ensured that they are thorough.
“Our first foremost priority is the safety of all Australians and to ensure these, and all vaccines meet the stringent safety quality regulations set by our world leading TGA.”
Australia’s vaccination program has been based on the medical advice from the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group (SITAG), Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The 12 LGAs are: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield and Penrith.
The per capita allocation to the remaining states and territories is: Victoria 175,500, Queensland 136,890, South Australia 47,970, Western Australia 70,200, Tasmania 17,550, Northern Territory 8,190, and the ACT 14,040.

The Australian Government is providing COVID-19 rapid antigen testing (RAT) to residential aged care facilities in Greater Sydney, to further protect aged care residents, workers and their families.
The program will begin on Monday, 16 August at the Uniting Bankstown Aged Care Facility, and then progressively roll out to other facilities who expressed their interest in participating.
Respond Global has been selected to lead the program, providing the residential aged care facilities with training and protocols in using the tests and recording the RAT results.
Roche will supply the initial RAT, after being selected through a competitive tender process. It is anticipated that as the program expands, three more RAT suppliers will also supply their tests for use.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the program will allow fast COVID-19 screening of aged care residents and visitors to be done on-site and more regularly.
“Given the rate at which we know the Delta variant can be spread between people, the very fast turnaround of RAT – around 15 minutes – makes these tests useful in preventing asymptomatic transmission and outbreaks as they can be used on a daily basis,” Minister Hunt said.
“Sadly, the pandemic’s toll in Australia last year was highest among aged care residents. That is why, along with the increased infection control training and vaccinations, we are looking at further innovations such as RAT to provide an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable Australians.”
We anticipate that regular use of RAT to screen aged care employees and visitors will provide much greater reassurance for those employees, their managers, residents, and families.
Those workers or visitors who test positive to a RAT or who have COVID-19 symptoms would then not go into the residential aged care facility and be required to have a PCR diagnostic test as soon as possible to confirm their COVID-19 status.
This initial program expands on a trial already undertaken at the Whiddon Residential Aged Care Facility in Glenfield. One of the key findings of this trial was that it gave workers more confidence that they were safe to come to work and were not putting themselves, their fellow workers and the residents at risk.
To date, more than 577,655 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in aged care and disability care facilities across Australia.

This week, an imprisoned First Nations man was tested for COVID-19 at Bathurst Correctional Centre and was released before the prison received his positive Covid result.
The man then returned to his community in north-west New South Wales which has a high population of First Nations people.
“The New South Wales Government and Department of Justice have again failed First Nations people, our Elders, our kids, and those of us living with chronic illness,” said DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman Lidia Thorpe, Senator for Victoria and Australian Greens spokesperson for Justice.
“There has been another COVID-positive case at Bathurst jail, it is impossible to socially distance in a jail. Imprisoned people are in grave danger, the New South Wales Government must responsibly begin urgent decarceration and COVID-19 prevention strategies in partnership with our communities.”
“The New South Wales Government is failing our people. In parts of Western NSW only 8% of First Nations people are fully vaccinated despite our people being eligible for vaccines since early June.”
“Instead of protecting and providing community led responses to the pandemic, the New South Wales Government is sending in the army and the police into some of our most over-targeted and under-served communities in New South Wales.”
First Nations people, our communities and First Nations owned and run services must be resourced so that we can lead ourselves out of the mess the New South Wales Government has put us in.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we led the way in keeping our communities safe. Some governments sent us body bags before they sent PPE, assuming we would fail. When decisions are in our hands, our solutions work, and we take care of our communities.”
“Our communities, particularly First Nations health, legal assistance, and Elder support organisations must be properly resourced to look after our people, with our own solutions immediately. Our lives are in grave danger because the New South Wales Government didn’t do its job”. Said Thorpe

The National Cabinet met today for the 51st time to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 38,165 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 948 people have died. More than 27.5 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,409,573 million tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 205.3 million cases and sadly over 4.3 million deaths, with 684,895 new cases and 10,185 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. Australia hit another milestone of one in four eligible Australians fully vaccinated. To date 14,747,221 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including a record 270,898 in the last 24 hours. One in four Australians are now fully vaccinated. The primary care network of general practice (GPs) and pharmacy has ramped up significantly over coming weeks.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1.47 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 46.6 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 70.9 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 82.5 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 25 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 36.1 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 50.9 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19. The Chief Medical Officer has announced a number of hotspots across Australia in Greater Sydney, the Hunter, Greater Melbourne and the Australian Capital Territory.
National Cabinet noted the business support packages agreed between the Commonwealth and the Victorian and ACT Governments due to their lockdowns, and with the Queensland and Tasmanian Governments due to the impact of lockdowns along the eastern seaboard.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided an update on the vaccine roll out.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are registered for use in Australia and are proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and death, as well as limiting transmission.
National Cabinet discussed how state and territory safety regulators could amend their ‘statements of regulatory intent’ to ensure that businesses who made vaccinations voluntary would not be breaching workplace health and safety laws.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 20 August 2021.