Category: Australian News

Construction of the University of Sydney medical program’s new teaching facilities in Dubbo has begun, with work expected to be completed in October.
The first cohort of 24 Year 1 Sydney Medical students (Dubbo Stream) are expected to commence in early February next year. These students will be able to complete all of their four-year Doctor of Medicine degree in the brand new, world-class facility.
Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton this week visited the site and congratulated the university on the start of construction, after plans were approved last December.
The university will receive $9.27 million from the Australian Government for the medical school, including $7.65 million in capital funding to redevelop the existing School of Rural Health and build an extension. Patterson Building Group is managing the project.
It will include a state-of-the-art anatomy space including two- and three- dimensional visual technologies, virtual and augmented reality and 3D printing, learning studios, simulation space, service rooms and amenities.
“The new medical program in Dubbo will be part of the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network, increasing the capacity for medical students to undertake and complete their studies in regional centres instead of Sydney or Melbourne,” Minister Coulton said.
“More students from rural areas will be able to do medicine and all students will develop rural ties which will encourage them to stay in the country, after graduating.
“Together with the other elements of the Government’s comprehensive plan for stronger rural health, this will improve access to doctors and health outcomes for rural people.”
“The Dubbo program builds on our long-standing history in the region which has seen more than 800 students complete one-year extended placements in Dubbo, Orange and Broken Hill,” said Professor Cheryl Jones, Head of School and Dean of the University of Sydney Medical School.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the first students to complete their entire degree in Dubbo.”

Forbes, Parkes and the surrounding communities will benefit from new primary health care models to improve access to local health care and provide better continuity of care for rural patients.
Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack said the trial announced today was one of five new primary care models being tested in western and southern New South Wales.
“The Nationals in Government are working hard to address regional workforce shortages through a range of initiatives and programs, and this new model announced today is part of the solution,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“An ageing GP workforce had been identified as a challenge in the region, and this model is testing a potential new solution to ensure people in this region continue to have access to health care.”
Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said regional experts – the NSW Rural Doctors Network, the Western NSW Local Health District and the Western NSW Primary Health Network – are working closely with local councils, community and health professionals to design an innovative solution for the area.
“With each new model, the aim is to demonstrate how new and flexible approaches can address workforce shortages in the bush, and find sustainable ways of delivering services across a number of smaller, connected rural communities,” Minister Coulton said.
“The challenge of delivering health services in small communities is well known, and it is clear the existing one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working for every rural community.
These models differ to traditional health workforce solutions that focus on individual towns. Instead the focus is on sub-regions to address healthcare access issues.
“By servicing multiple towns, there is an opportunity to achieve economies of scale, create sustainable practices and provide better access to primary health services for rural and remote Australians,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“The Nationals in Government are breaking new ground by investing in sub-regional models of primary care to provide local solutions and to test how these new approaches can address perennial rural health challenges across the nation.”
The Lachlan region joins the Canola Fields, 4T’s (Tullamore, Trangie, Tottenham and Trundle), Snowy Valley and Wentworth sites, where innovative solutions to local healthcare problems are being developed under the program. The Australian Government has invested $3.3 million to test these new models.

Australia’s 58,000 registered charities hold a special place in our community because of the vital work they do and in turn receive special status.
The Morrison Government is strengthening laws to ensure activist organisations, masquerading as charities, that promote and engage in unlawful behaviour will no longer be tolerated.
Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said the promotion and condoning of illegal activity diminishes Australians’ trust in the charities sector and puts workers jobs at risk.
“The Morrison Government strongly supports the right to peacefully protest and engage in political discourse as key pillars of our democracy,” Minister Sukkar said.
“However, political activists and organisations condoning and participating in criminal activities, while masquerading as charities, undermine Australians’ trust in the sector overall and do not deserve this privilege.”
“There is nothing charitable about assault, late night break ins, threatening behaviour and illegal blockades.”
“Australians subsidise charities through tax concessions, with the expectation that donated money goes to charitable works, not the promotion of and participation in criminal activities.”
Member for Braddon Gavin Pearce said too many North West Tasmanian workers have been affected by illegal activities that threaten their jobs.
“The North West has a proud tradition of many local charities performing outstanding acts of kindness when our community needs it most,” Mr Pearce said.
“However, all too often local workers are impacted by the illegal and threatening behaviour of the minority who seek to hide behind the legitimacy of a charity to push their agenda.”
“Workers in the North West should be allowed to go about their lawful work, free from harassment and acts that threaten their jobs,” Mr Pearce said.
At present the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner has enforcement powers to revoke an organisation’s charity status. Under current rules, charities are prohibited from engaging in conduct that may be dealt with either as an indictable offence under Australian law.
The reforms ensure charities are prohibited from engaging in or promoting theft, vandalism, trespass or assault and threatening behaviour.

The Morrison Government will today launch the $18.8 million third phase of the national campaign to reduce violence against women and their children to mark International Women’s Day.
The Stop it at the Start campaign encourages adults to “unmute” themselves and empowers them to take actions that will have a positive influence on the attitudes and behaviours of young people.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the campaign was critical in our efforts to prevent family, domestic and sexual violence.
“Each and every one of us has a role to play in ensuring disrespectful attitudes and behaviours towards women are not learned in childhood,” Minister Ruston said.
“We all need to unmute ourselves when we witness disrespect and turn it into an opportunity to set the standard for what is and isn’t acceptable.
“Taking action on this issue may seem overwhelming but if we all take small steps, such as reconsidering our own views or talking to our children about respectful relationships, it can add up to a positive change for Australia.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women and Acting Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne said launching the next phase of Stop it at the Start on International Women’s Day sent a powerful message about the role we all must play to ensure all women can fulfil their potential.
“We have made considerable progress towards gender equality in Australia but challenges remain whether that be in the home or the workplace,” Minister Payne said.
“As a Government we see it as our duty to foster a culture in which Australian men grow up respecting the women in their lives.
“Stop it at the Start demonstrates to all adults that responding to disrespect can be a constructive, liberating and an important way to shape future generations.”
The Stop it at the Start campaign began in 2016 as an initiative under the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
It is funded under the Morrison Government’s record $340 million investment in the Fourth Action Plan with financial contributions from the governments of South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Evaluation research found the campaign was changing attitudes with 42 per cent of adults taking action, such as having a conversation with a young person about respectful relationships or changing the way they behave towards others as a result of earlier phases of the campaign.
Phase one of the campaign encouraged adults to recognise their own unconscious behaviour and understand the influence such behaviour can have on others, including the next generation. Phase two asked people to take ownership of the issue rather than using arguments to rationalise disrespectful behaviours.
Phase three of the campaign will be rolled out across television, cinema, online, outdoor, digital and social media from Sunday 14 March.
A suite of tools and resources will be available online at www.respect.gov.au to help parents and other adults to model positive behaviours and start a conversation about respect with the young people in their lives.
Ministers Payne and Ruston thanked the Commonwealth Bank for partnering with the Government to deliver the launch event, where a panel discussion would highlight how government, business and the broader community must come together to address the issue of violence against women.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.
 

The Morrison Government is supporting female entrepreneurs to build their businesses, take on global markets and create local jobs, with the opening of a new $11.6 million funding round under the Boosting Female Founders Initiative.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said it was fitting that applications for round two of the in-demand initiative are opening on International Women’s Day.
“Female entrepreneurs are underrepresented in our innovation and technology sectors, often because they face greater obstacles in getting early-stage finance,” Minister Andrews said.
“The first round of the Boosting Female Founders Initiative saw more than 50 female-founded and led businesses share in nearly $12 million to scale up, create new jobs and take on new markets.
“In the second round, we are providing a further $11.6 million in funding, while also expanding the program to offer expert mentoring and advice for eligible candidates.
“International Women’s Day challenges us to take action for equality. Through the Boosting Female Founders Initiative, we’re helping Aussie female entrepreneurs overcome barriers to success and launch their great ideas onto the world stage.”
The Boosting Female Founders Initiative provides grants of between $25,000 and $400,000 to Australian start-up businesses that are majority owned and led by women.
The Initiative was announced as part of the 2018 Women’s Economic Security Statement, and expanded under the 2020 Women’s Economic Security Statement.
In total, it will provide $52.2 million of competitive grant funding plus $1.8 million in mentoring services from 2020–2021 to 2024–25.
Applications for the current funding round will be open until 22 April 2021, and can be submitted at business.gov.au/bff.

More than 4,500 accredited general practices will participate in Phase 1b of Australia’s COVID-19 rollout, one of the greatest logistical challenges in our nation’s history.
The plans were announced by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt today, with the collaboration of the Australian Medical Association, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the Government is committed to bringing on board all eligible practices as quickly as possible, with vaccination start dates set to be staggered and dosage allocation to be dependent on vaccine availability.
“More than 1,000 general practices will commence from the week of 22 March 2021, with a rapid scale up over the following four weeks. This will ensure an efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines across the country,” Minister Hunt said.
 
“Phase 1b of the rollout includes vulnerable populations, such as older people and people with certain underlying conditions.”
 
No-one is better placed in the community than local GPs, who will play a major role in ensuring all Australians who seek to be vaccinated have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Dr Omar Khorshid said “General Practitioners (GPs) have a proven track record with flu vaccination of older Australians and those living with chronic disease who will make up the bulk of the Phase 1B rollout.”
“It is very pleasing to see the majority of GPs putting up their hands to participate in this critical national program,” Dr Khorshid said.
“General practice is highly accessible for people and has helped Australia achieve some of the highest rates of vaccination in the world.”
“Patients see their GP for trusted advice and support and rolling out a COVID-19 vaccine through general practice is the best way to encourage the community to get vaccinated.”
President of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Dr Karen Price said the approach is built on a platform of trust and knowledge.
“This is an historic and logistically-challenging project and GPs across the country are honoured to contribute, and committed to ensuring that all eligible patients have access to the vaccine, no matter where they live,” Dr Price said.
“We already have the trust of our patients and our communities and can ensure that those who are ready to be vaccinated can be, and those who are unsure can have their questions answered to help them decide.”
The staged commencement of general practices will be complemented by GP-led Respiratory Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services working together to deliver vaccines to eligible priority populations.
In welcoming the announcement, President of The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), Dr Sarah Chalmers recognised the significant preparation undertaken in the lead to rollout.
“ACRRM acknowledges the enormous amount of work that has been put into planning for the vaccination rollout, including for rural and remote communities. The equitable distribution points across the country means that all our vulnerable patients can access the vaccine,” Dr Chalmers said.
Nationally, more than 130 Respiratory Clinics and over 300 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service sites will support the Phase 1b roll out. This adds to more than 5,000 points of presence across Australia in addition to vaccination clinics set up by states and territories.
Minister Hunt said, “It has been clear from the positive response to the EOI that GPs are both prepared and committed to support the natural COVID-19 vaccination effort as well, as their local communities.
“We also acknowledge the work of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Australian Medical Association and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine have been instrumental during this process,” Minister Hunt said.
Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine National Rollout Strategy is underpinned by multiple parts of the health system working together to contribute to the vaccination effort.
This will be further enhanced by pharmacies to ensure equitable and timely access across Australia.
The Australian Government thanks all practices that expressed an interest in participating in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and for their ongoing commitment to support their local community.

After staunch opposition from local communities and businesses and pressure from Labor Scott Morrison has finally admitted that he doesn’t support the extension of the Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP 11).
Scott Morrison’s shaky coalition with the Nationals has been tested yet again with the Prime Minister staying silent on PEP 11 until today.
Advent Energy’s PEP 11 application would allow oil and gas exploration drilling off the NSW coast from Port Stephens, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney.
Under the company’s proposal thousands of local jobs in tourism, hospitality, recreational and commercial fishing would be jeopardised.
Scott Morrison’s backdown is in stark contrast to recent comments from the Minister for Resources, who was recently defending the proposal by saying “any rig is unlikely to be visible from the coast”.
Unlike the Morrison Government, Labor’s position on this proposal has been crystal clear.
PEP 11 doesn’t make sense from an economic, environmental, or energy perspective.
Labor has been consulting with Save Our Coast, Surfrider Foundation, other advocacy groups and the broader community. We congratulate them on their fierce advocacy in protecting their region.
We support new energy and resources projects where they make sense, but this was always a dumb idea.
A broad spectrum of people across the community knew it, it’s just a shame it took Scott Morrison so long to realise it.
Rest assured, Matt Thistlethwaite, Emma McBride, Meryl Swanson, Sharon Claydon, and the whole Labor team will not rest until this bad idea is 100 per cent dead and buried.
Labor is against it.
The community is against it.
The NSW Government is against it.
Several Federal Liberal MPs are against it.
With his Prime Minister now joining the ranks of those against the application, is Keith Pitt still “concerned about some of the exaggerated claims being made by groups who are opposed to the permit”?
Either Keith Pitt is wrong or the Prime Minister is.

The Australian Laywer’s Alliance “Doing More Harm Than Good: The need for a health-focused approach to drug use” report clearly shows that a national approach to harm minimisation is long overdue.
“The legal and medical sectors have been saying for decades that treating drug use as a criminal matter, rather than a health issue does not work”, Australian Greens Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“Criminalising drug use does not stop people from using drugs, it exacerbates harm.
“Addiction and substance abuse is a health issue and we as a community need to treat it that way.
“Stigmatising people with punitive approaches rather than addressing the underlying issues only drives people further from the help and support they need and causes further harm.
“If we want to assist people with addiction and substance abuse issues we need to take a harm minimisation approach and penalise dealers not users.
“This report also highlights that people are still struggling to access medicinal cannabis which for many people is one of the few things that give them quality of life.
“People should not be denied quality of life just because the Government hasn’t got their act together to legislate a regulatory model that actually works and means that people can access the treatments they need. ”
 

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.
There have been 29,020 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 909 people have died. There are currently 24 people in hospital. More than 14.5 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
To date Australia’s existing systems built around social distancing, testing, tracing, local health responses and quarantine have effectively mitigated the broader spread of COVID-19 virus and new variants of COVID-19 into the Australian community. COVID-19 vaccines will further strengthen Australia’s ability to control the virus.
Australia has done well on both the health and economic fronts compared to most countries around the world. National Cabinet noted the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in many countries and the comparative strength of Australia’s effort in addressing COVID compared to most other developed economies. Globally there have been over 115.5 million cases and sadly over 2.5 million deaths, with around 446,000 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.
National Cabinet received a detailed update from Professor Brendan Murphy, Chair of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group, and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly on the Australian Vaccination and Treatment Strategy.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out is on track. To date 71,867 Australians have received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Commonwealth Government has allocated over $6 billion to support the vaccine roll out with contracts for over 150 million COVID-19 vaccines, through a diverse vaccine portfolio. Since the last meeting of National Cabinet, the roll out of the Pfizer vaccine commenced on 22 February 2020, with first vaccinations of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine starting today in South Australia. Onshore supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine is on track to commence during the week commencing 22 March 2021. The COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy, agreed by National Cabinet, prioritises those Australians most at risk of COVID-19, including Australia’s front line health workers, aged care residents and staff and quarantine workers.
National Cabinet also discussed this week’s economic growth figures which showed that in the December quarter the Australian economy grew a record 3.1 per cent, the second consecutive quarter above 3 per cent.
The Australian economy has now recovered 85 per cent of its COVID-induced fall, six months earlier and twice as fast as expected in the October Budget.
Our recovery continues to lead the world with our economy outperforming all other advanced economies in 2020. While the United Kingdom contracted by 9.9 per cent, Italy 8.9 per cent, France 8.2 per cent, Canada 5 per cent, Japan 4.8 per cent, the United States 3.3 per cent, Australia was only down by 2.5 per cent.
These results occurred at a time when emergency support was tapering off, with the private sector stepping up. In the December quarter, direct economic support from the Federal Government halved, yet at the same time, the economy grew by 3.1 per cent, 320,000 jobs were added and 2.1 million Australian workers graduated off JobKeeper.
National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 9 April 2021.
COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response
Today the National Cabinet received the first report from the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce (Taskforce), led by the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Phil Gaetjens.
The Taskforce advised on Australia’s risk profile over the next six months and options for changing policy settings to ensure greater consistency and coordination across jurisdictions in the management of the pandemic.
The Taskforce identified several factors influencing Australia’s changing risk profile, including improvements in testing and tracing; improvements in quarantine practices; the vaccine rollout; vaccine effectiveness against transmission; and new variants of the virus.
Reopening the economy is critical for Australia’s international competitiveness. If we do not progress our economic reopening as the vaccine rollout occurs, we may fall behind our international competitors.
There are some unknowns in Australia’s changing risk profile. Decision-making related to reopening the economy will be informed by expert advice on the economic, social and health considerations.
Over coming months, the Taskforce will consider the changing risk environment in 2021; the impact of Australia’s vaccine rollout; economic, social and health considerations; and options to implement consistent policy settings across jurisdictions to ensure predictability and community confidence.
The Taskforce will continue to report to the National Cabinet monthly.
Pacific Workers
National Cabinet agreed to pilot pre-departure quarantine arrangements for Pacific workers in their home countries. South Australia has indicated its intention to opt into the arrangement to support their local agriculture sector, subject to finalisation of arrangements. Other states are considering the arrangement with further details of in-country testing and quarantine arrangements.
Since the National Cabinet agreed to recommence the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme more than 2,600 Pacific and Timorese workers have arrived in Australia. However, there remains significant labour shortages and more support for our agriculture sector is needed.
The Government will explore in-country quarantine arrangements for Pacific workers with eligible, low-risk Pacific Neighbours.
COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out Strategy
National Cabinet noted the detailed vaccine roll out plans. Published efficacy data, particularly from the United Kingdom, strongly supports Australia’s choice of both the roll out of the Pfizer and the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines.
The Commonwealth, states and territories are progressively scaling up vaccination sites as increased supplies of vaccines become available.
National Cabinet agreed that states and territories should harmonise legislation and regulation to allow COVID-19 vaccinations to occur in community pharmacies.
International Passenger Arrival Caps
National Cabinet reaffirmed a shared priority to supporting Australians to return home.
Current international passenger arrival caps will continue to 30 April 2021 pending a further review of arrangements at the next meeting of National Cabinet.
National Cabinet noted Western Australia’s staged return to a cap of 1025 passengers per week from 26 March which commenced with an increase to 900 passengers per week on 1 March. This follows a decision by the WA Government to reduce the number of international air arrivals as it undertakes a review of hotel quarantine processes.
National Cabinet also noted a commitment from Victoria to resume international passenger flights into Melbourne as soon as possible. International flights into Victoria were suspended on 13 February with the exception of flights under the New Zealand safe travel zone arrangement, and international freight.
Howard Springs
The Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments reached agreement to increase the capacity of the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs after the end of the cyclone season in the Northern Territory.
This will increase the capacity of Howard Springs from 850 persons per fortnight to 2,000 persons per fortnight with a ramp up from late April 2021, subject to capital works, and full capacity between June and December 2021.
The Commonwealth Government will also continue to support repatriation flights for Australians through to the end of 2021, as required.
Final details are being worked through including the scope of works required to upgrade the facility, and strategies to recruit additional clinical and welfare staff.
The Centre for National Resilience is the Commonwealth Government’s response to the National Cabinet commissioned National Review of Hotel Quarantine conducted by Ms Jane Halton, AO PSM.