Category: Australian News

The Community Affairs Legislation Committee has tabled its report into the Government’s pitiful Bill to increase the JobSeeker payment by $3.57 a day. The Greens have tabled a dissenting report.
The Australian Greens are deeply disappointed in the lack of time provided to consider and scrutinise this change to Australia’s social security system.
“The Government had months to consider an increase and prepare this legislation with the knowledge that the reduced Coronavirus Supplement was coming to an end on 31 March 2021, but they chose to introduce this Bill as late as possible in an attempt to suppress debate and dissent”, Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“While the Government tries to stifle scrutiny and debate on their callous decision to condemn millions to poverty, the community is watching and they do not accept this cruelty.
“Everyone in our community deserves to live a life free of poverty and to ensure that they can care for their wellbeing and that of their family.
“There were hundreds of submissions to this inquiry. You only have to read a handful to understand the significant pain, anxiety and poverty taking JobSeeker back to $44 a day is going to cause.
“This is not a decision based on evidence but on an ideological obsession with punishing people on income support.
“It’s shameful the way this Government attacks people on income support, calling them job snobs, essentially implying they are undeserving of support.
“At a time when the Government should be focusing on economic recovery, they are making choices that will slow down our recovery from the recession.
“The poverty rate for households whose main source of income is allowances dropped to 26% following the introduction of the $550 a fortnight Coronavirus Supplement. Researchers estimate the poverty rate for these households will skyrocket back up to 85% after this Bill is introduced.
“Researchers at the Grattan Institute estimate that the Government’s plans to cut the rate of Jobseeker Payment by $50 a week will remove $5 billion from the economy over the next year and result in up to 40,000 fewer jobs . Millions will be ripped from the retail sector as people on income support payments spend an estimated 58% of their payments on retail goods or services.
Next week the Greens will seek the support of the senate to:  
1.    Amend the bill to increase all income support payments to $1115 a fortnight which is in line with the Henderson Poverty Line.
2.    Retain the current income free threshold of $300 a fortnight.
3.    Abolish compulsory income management.
4.    Abolish Mutual Obligations.
The report can be found here.

Older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities across the country are set to access more tailored respite care.
The Morrison Government will fund an additional $9.67 million per year over two years through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the funding would support culturally and linguistically diverse senior Australians to live independently and safely in their own homes and local communities and provide respite for carers.
“Forty aged and disability care providers will deliver the additional centre‑based respite services to older Australians from multicultural communities, including those from Chinese, Italian, Greek, Polish, Russian and Indian backgrounds, to name a few,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Importantly, the Government is directing the extra funding to those areas in most need across the country – where there are service gaps and the highest level of demand.”
Centre‑based respite services can include group activities to help ease isolation and encourage social interaction, group excursions, and meals. Carers and family members can take part in the activities or leave the older person in the care of the provider.
“Social isolation was – and is – a very real problem for older Australians during the pandemic,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Language barriers and cultural differences have made it even harder for people from diverse backgrounds.
“It’s important the additional services on offer focus on tailored support and programs that are suited to the needs of these seniors, and the needs of their communities.”
To access services, older Australians will need to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and arrange for a formal assessment of their care needs.
Service providers are required to be as responsive as possible to requests from older Australians and their carers for short-term or non-ongoing respite.

A national network of leading mental health researchers will work with more than 2000 people living with mental illness to deliver better models of mental health care across Australia, thanks to the Morrison Government.
Funded by $10 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Special Initiative in Mental Health, the new national centre, called ALIVE, will help to lead a generational shift in mental health care research.
Operating from research hub, to be based at the University of Melbourne, ALIVE will establish an Academy of Lived Experience and Co-Design Living Labs at 14 universities across all states and territories.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the centre will use research to rethink models of mental health care and the way they are delivered, to find a national solution to a national problem.
“The Australian Government’s investment in mental health services and suicide prevention in 2020-21 is at a record high of $5.9 billion,” Minister Hunt said. “This not only delivers better treatment of mental health conditions, but provides Australian researchers the tools to improve treatment.”
“ALIVE will drive a national research agenda to deliver innovative, evidence-based mental health care. The centre complements the National Mental Health Commission’s reform program so that all people in Australia can lead fulfilling lives, participating socially and economically in thriving communities.”
“This national network will grow and develop the next generation of mental health researchers in Australia.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the centre would be guided by lived experience.
“The knowledge and experience of more than 2000 Australians living with mental illness will help shape the research, and will be critical in designing a more effective, coordinated and compassionate system,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“Through this approach we are putting the needs of people at the centre of the design and delivery of mental health services in Australia.”
ALIVE’s evidence-based model will emphasise early identification and prevention over crisis support, and take a holistic approach, addressing physical as well as mental health.
Priority populations include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people who are living with severe and complex mental illness.
The centre will be led by Associate Professor Victoria Palmer who leads the University of Melbourne’s Integrated Mental Health Research Program and is internationally recognised for her expertise in primary care mental health research.
“Our approach begins with the lived experience of people with mental health conditions as central to the co-design of the transformation that is required across the health care system,” Associate Professor Victoria Palmer said.
“By working hand-in-hand with those living with mental illness and carers we aim to develop a better system of care which saves lives and improves outcomes.”
NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso AO said the new national centre was the result of a considered assessment of existing mental health research and would complement other Australian Government initiatives.
“This centre is a strategic investment in national collaboration to develop long-term partnerships between research, health care and service delivery. It is designed to find approaches to prevention and treatment that can address the issue at a national scale,” Professor Kelso said.
The centre will report to an independent governance committee, chaired by Professor Allan Fels AO, former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the National Mental Health Commission.

The Government will invest more than $1.1 billion to extend our successful national COVID-19 health response and suppression strategy until 31 December 2021.
Australia is leading the world out of the global COVID-19 pandemic and recession. As COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the nation, protecting Australians from the ongoing threats of the pandemic remains a priority.
This $1.1 billion is in addition to more than $22 billion spent in these areas to date, including more than $6 billion to support the COVID-19 vaccine roll out.
Australia’s suppression strategy has been extremely successful to date, particularly when compared with the devastation caused by the virus in many places overseas. Australia’s remarkable performance in saving lives is evident – we have the second lowest case rate and third lowest mortality rate amongst countries in the OECD.
The Government’s focus on containing the virus through testing, tracing and border and travel measures, building and investing in the capacity of our health system, and collaborating with states and territories, the health sector and others, has helped stop the spread of COVID-19.
We thank the community for their ongoing adherence to physical distancing and hygiene advice.
This new commitment will ensure that key measures remain in place throughout 2021 to protect the community while vaccinations roll out over the coming months.
This investment will extend:

• Our partnership with the states and territories to manage COVID-19, by sharing 50 per cent of the cost of testing and treating people with COVID-19 through our public hospitals, and of public health measures to prevent the spread. To date the Commonwealth has provided an additional $5 billion to support the states and territories, including $1 billion in additional public hospital funding
• Continue telehealth services and care until 30 June 2021. So far more than 51 million telehealth services have been delivered to 13 million patients and almost $2.6 billion in benefits paid. More than 82,000 providers have used telehealth services nationwide. The Government will continue to review the ongoing role of COVID telehealth to support the pandemic in the short term, while we plan the permanent post-pandemic telehealth arrangements with peak doctor groups.
• Support for rapid pathology testing and tracing building on the more than 14.5 million COVID-19 tests conducted to date
• GP-led Respiratory Clinics, which have delivered more than 1 million consultations and 934,600 COVID-19 tests
• Culturally safe testing, treatment and evacuation preparedness in the most remote and isolated parts of the country which has so far provided more than 15,500 point of care tests
• Electronic prescription services with 3.8 million electronic prescriptions and repeats to patients issued and almost 1.7 million dispensed to date
• Delivery of Home Medicine Services across the country with more than 2.1 million services delivered already
• The Continued Dispensing Emergency Measure where around 289,000 people have had at least one supply of medicine so far
• The Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service to meet ongoing demand for services as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and provide continued support while COVID-19 restrictions remain and the COVID-19 vaccine program is implemented
• Aged care workforce surge support capability and financial support for aged care facilities affected by a COVID-19 outbreak to ensure the ongoing safety of senior Australians.

These measures have supported our response to COVID-19 outbreaks when they occurred. Extending them will ensure Australians remain COVID safe.
Our Government will continue to monitor the pandemic and the progress of our vaccination program so we can take the swift action needed to ensure we keep Australians safe and the economy on the road to recovery.

The Australian Government is ramping up its campaign against misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccines, as the vaccination program ramps up moving into Phase 1B.
Australians can get all their questions answer on the health website to find out what they want – and need – to know about the COVID-19 vaccines.
The new material on the website, called Is it true? – www.health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines – will help answer questions people may have about the vaccine, and respond to vaccine misinformation they may have heard.
This new function will provide trusted, credible information on COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in Australia. It will sort the fact from the fiction.
The information on the website will be clear, accurate and timely. This will help reassure Australians about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine and answer commonly asked questions and misinformation relating to the COVID-19 Vaccination program.
The vaccines are the next, crucial step on the road out of this pandemic – and it’s the one step that we can all take to protect ourselves, our families, our communities from severe illness.
It’s essential that people get their information on the vaccines from credible sources – and that should be on official government websites.
With new vaccine developments every day, it’s very normal for people to have questions and possibly feel hesitant about getting the vaccine. That doesn’t make them anti-vaccination.
The new section on the website will address the most common questions being asked by people and will be updated regularly.
The Government is running an extensive $31 million education campaign through the rollout, providing people with information about the approval process for the vaccines, details on what phases the rollout is at and who is now eligible to be vaccinated.
As the vaccination program starts to move into Phase 1b , which covers more than six million people, it’s essential people understand the facts about the vaccines as they make their appointments to get vaccinated.
The more people vaccinated, the more people protected from severe illness and death, keeping themselves and the broader community safe.

The Morrison Government will protect Australia’s family-owned automotive businesses and their employees from the growing power imbalance with multi-national car companies by introducing new significant financial penalties for wrongdoing under the Franchising Code of Conduct.
A fine of up to $10 million could be given to international car companies that undertake systemic breaches under the Code, including unilaterally changing contracts, poor compensation and reneging on warranties.
The existing voluntary automotive principles will be made compulsory and a new mandatory automotive code will be strongly considered, following consultation.
The Government will also explore mandatory binding arbitration provisions within this new code, similar to those in the Media Bargaining Code, which were developed to curtail the power of the Big Tech platforms.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s automotive dealers employed more than 60,000 Australians, including 4,000 apprentices, and contributes more than $12 billion to the economy.
“We stand up for Australian jobs and Australian businesses,” the Prime Minister said.
“We stood up to Big Tech companies and we will stand up to multi-national car companies who are riding roughshod over many family-owned Australia car dealers.”
“By protecting these businesses, we will be protecting the thousands of jobs that rely on the sector, including many apprentices.
“Car sales are surging and it’s further proof that the Australian economy is on the comeback. We need to ensure Australian family-owned automotive businesses continue to reap the rewards of this growth and the support from our supercharged instant asset write-off.”
The new measures announced today will:

• Increase available penalties under the Franchising Code to up to $10 million. This will strengthen penalties for wilful, egregious and systemic breaches of the Franchising Code by large and profitable multinational companies.
• Ensure that the Franchising Code keeps pace with changes to business practice by explicitly recognising that dealers operating as a manufacturer’s agent in relation to new vehicle sales are still protected by the Franchising Code.

Establish best practice by transforming existing voluntary principles into mandatory obligations under the Franchising Code. This will address concerns multi-national manufacturers won’t follow voluntary principles.
Minister Cash said, “This is a decisive suite of reforms for automotive dealerships and the many local businesses, apprentices, charities and broader communities that they in turn support.
“The Government is fully committed to enacting reforms that are impactful and deliver for the nation and regions where transport is integral for economic and social needs.”
“This is a landmark set of reforms for the automotive industry, building on the critical work done by the Government, most recently with the announcement of the automotive principles to deliver for consumers in December 2020.
“I am looking forward to working together with the industry to ensure the reforms made will better the overall experience of consumers, who ultimately drive the demand that underpins the viability of the automotive sector.”
In addition, the Government is committed to working further with the automotive franchising sector and will consult on:

• Ensuring appropriate protections for automotive dealerships from unfair contract terms in their agreements with manufacturers;
• Options to achieve mandatory binding arbitration for automotive franchisees, to address power imbalance when there is a dispute; and
• The merits of a standalone automotive franchising code.

The Greens have said that Australia must support a World Trade Organization (WTO) proposal that would waive intellectual property provisions to allow Covid-19 vaccine production to be rolled out and made accessible and affordable to everyone in the global community.
The WTO Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council is meeting this week, with the Covid-19 vaccine on the agenda.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens spokesperson for International Aid & Development, said:
“This is a matter of global justice, and putting people before the profits of enormous pharmaceutical companies.
“The Covid-19 vaccine is a public good, not a commodity, and access to healthcare is a human right.
“It would be unconscionable – and highly self-defeating – for Australia to allow the Covid-19 pandemic to roll on in the Global South all to the benefit of big pharma.
“All the Global South countries are asking for is to be given access to intellectual property allowing for research, manufacture and supply of vaccines without risking a trade dispute.
“Refusing this will allow pharmaceutical giants to shake down nations that are already struggling under huge debt burdens and the legacy of colonialism. If they can’t pay or take on more debt, then Australia has condemned them to years of lockdowns, social injustice, sickness and death,” she said.
Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson for Health, said:
“I’m very concerned about the lack of attention being paid to this issue by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“When I asked Mr Gaetjens about Intellectual Property Rights and TRIPS Waiver this week during the COVID Senate Committee it was clear they haven’t been engaging with the issue adequately. He said that the new taskforce is not focusing on that issue and that the terms of reference are not part of our taskforce.
“This is not good enough. Australia has a global responsibility and the fact is no one is safe unless we are all safe.
“Australia should also commit to increasing its funding to the COVAX AMC to at least the level of Canada (an additional $135.2m USD). “Big pharma must move to temporarily waive intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines to facilitate universal access.”

The Greens have again called for a comprehensive national approach to consent training after Education Minister Alan Tudge today revealed the government’s weak-kneed response to growing demands for change.
“This response from the Morrison government to the roar of fury from women and girls everywhere is predictably too little and too late,” said Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women.
“The Education Minister’s so-called ‘announcement’ today wasn’t even that. It was a re-announcement of a $2.8 million online program they unveiled in 2019. A program that has so far, in two years, apparently failed to deliver any education materials for schools.
“In the face of a crisis of misogyny and sexual violence, this government has served up a reheated program from two years ago that was underwhelming at the time and seems utterly inadequate now.
“While many schools currently have Respectful Relationships programs after it was included in the National Curriculum in 2015, delivery of the content has been inconsistent, piecemeal and variable in quality. Every student no matter what school they attend or where deserves the same level of education about consent and healthy, respectful relationships.
“That’s why the Greens have called on the government to budget $190 million to support a national roll out of Our Watch’s respectful relationships training program that has been piloted successfully in Queensland and Victoria.
“The training takes a whole-of-school approach to primary prevention of gender-based violence including sexual harassment and abuse, not only providing in-class education but addressing school culture, policies and procedures and promoting gender equality among school staff.
“Australian women deserve a government that takes their safety seriously.”

Australia’s first Indigenous pharmacist, Associate Professor Dr Faye McMillan started in her new role this week, as one of two new Deputy National Rural Health Commissioners that will 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, Professor Ruth Stewart met with Dr McMillan today in Wagga Wagga to congratulate her and discuss priorities for the role.
Minister Coulton welcomed Professor Stewart’s recruitment of Dr McMillan, a Wiradjuri yinaa (woman), to the newly created Deputy Commissioner role and acknowledged her expertise and diverse experience in the rural health sector, including her work to establish Indigenous Allied Health Australia.
“Dr McMillan brings significant rural health experience, including as a practising rural pharmacist, to the role as Deputy Rural Health Commissioner,” Minister Coulton said.
“Expanding the Office to include expertise across a range of important health disciplines will support the Government’s focus to develop team-based, collaborative and sustainable approaches to delivering health care in the bush.
“The Federal Government has shown its willingness to tackle head on the challenges delivering health services in rural and regional Australia, and Dr McMillan’s appointment further demonstrates that commitment to make the regions a better place to live.
“The Office will contribute to significant health reforms already underway, including primary care, workforce and training reforms, as well as continuing to the support the Government’s ongoing rural response to COVID-19 and the vaccine rollout.”
Last year the Federal Government expanded the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner to have a broader focus, which included appointing two Deputy Commissioners to represent and advocate for allied health, nursing and Indigenous health disciplines.
“Dr McMillan will be an outstanding deputy and will bring her multidisciplinary expertise to my Office and allow us to take a broader perspective on rural health,” Professor Stewart said.
“Working with my new team, this is an exciting challenge to develop and promote innovative and integrated approaches to health care delivery in rural and remote areas.
“The breadth of expertise in my team across rural health professions establishes the foundations to look at how different disciplines can work together to deliver the best possible services in rural and remote communities.”
Dr McMillan is an Associate Professor in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales, and a founding member and former Chair of Indigenous Allied Health Australia, and the 2019 NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.
“I look forward to working alongside the National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Stewart in the role and acknowledge the Government and Minister Coulton in ensuring the diversity of the rural workforce is represented,” Dr McMillan said.
“It is vital that current and future rural health professionals are acknowledged for their significant contribution in the delivery of health services to our remote, rural and regional areas across this nation.”
Dr McMillan is appointed Deputy Commissioner until 30 June 2022.
A second Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner is on track to be appointed in coming weeks.