Category: Australian News

The Australian Government today welcomes a further step toward South East Queensland securing the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It follows the recommendation overnight from the International Olympic Committee’s executive board that the Queensland bid go to a final vote before its members at the IOC session in Japan next month.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck and Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien who is also the Prime Minister’s representative for Queensland’s candidature, said it was another significant milestone.
“It reinforces the work that has been achieved so far by all bid partners and highlights what can be achieved when all levels of government work toward on an outcome that will have enormous benefits for the entire nation,” Minister Colbeck said.
He said Australia already has an enviable reputation when it comes to hosting global sport.
“We have demonstrated our strong credentials in successfully hosting major sporting events including the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast,” Minister Colbeck said.
“And we now have a runway of major international events booked for Australia.”
Next year, Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the FIBA Women’s World Cup, and the UCI Road World Championships.
Australia has also secured co-hosting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the 2027 World Netball Cup and is actively working with Rugby Australia to submit a bid for the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.
“The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic bid is another important step as we continue to help inspire our athletes of the future,” Minister Colbeck said.
Mr O’Brien said the Sunshine State had all the credentials to host an event that would once again showcase Australia to the world.
“Hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games will not only be historic – it will bring Australians and Queenslanders together like never before,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Securing this event won’t just give us something to aim for – but just as we saw at the Sydney Olympics – it will have a long-lasting impact.
“Importantly, the Games are projected to generate billions of dollars of economic output for Queensland and Australia as well as tens of thousands of jobs.
“While we’re delighted to have cleared the penultimate hurdle, we take absolutely nothing for granted as we seek endorsement of members of the IOC session in Tokyo,” said Mr O’Brien.
The final process will include a presentation to the IOC in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
“We know Australia has already proved itself as a major host of international sport,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The case to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympics is compelling and we are confident the IOC members will consider it carefully.”

The Australian Government is helping strengthen the delivery of entry-level aged care services with a $112.1 million investment via the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the latest allocation will provide better access to a range of high demand care services, including meals, transport, social support, respite, gardening and cleaning for older Australians, their families and carers.
“The Morrison Government is committed to supporting senior Australians to remain living safely and independently in their own homes and communities for as long as they can and wish to do so,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This targeted investment will support communities identified as being most in need, including where there are aged care service gaps and high demand,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Support for aged care providers to deliver additional CHSP services to senior Australians will help address key demand pressures.”
Funding will be made available over two years to 141 successful applicants who applied through the CHSP Targeted Growth Funding Round 2020-21 and 2021-22.
“This investment is on top of the $17.7 billion announced in the recent Budget to support a once-in-a-generation reform of aged care to deliver respect, care and dignity to senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It includes more than $630 million to improve access to quality aged care services for senior Australians in regional, rural and remote areas including special needs groups.”
Service providers are required to be as responsive as possible to requests from senior Australians and their carers for short-term or ongoing CHSP services.
To access services, senior Australians, their family or carer can contact My Aged Care on
1800 200 422 and arrange a formal assessment of their care needs.

Australian Greens Peace and Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has called on the Morrison Government to commit to reverse the decision to close its embassy in Kabul after horrific new information was reported today about the nature of Australia’s worst alleged war crime, known as the ‘tractor job’.
“Now is not the time for Australia to lose a vital piece of on-the-ground infrastructure that would be critical in supporting the Office of the Special Investigator to better access evidence and witnesses in Afghanistan,” Steele-John said.
“To close the Australian Embassy in Kabul now, when so much new and truly shameful information about the conduct of Australian SAS soldiers in Afghanistan has come to light, borders on governmental obstruction of justice!
“The closure of the Austrlaian Embassy in Kabul will unjustifiably disadvantage the victims, and their families, when engaging with the investigation.
“What has been reported today by the ABC about the incident known as the ‘tractor job’ is horrific and truly shameful.
“The war has had a terrible and lasting impact on the Afghani people, whose country we occupied for two decades. Innocent people, including children like 14 year old Abdul Salim who is alleged to have been killed at Sara Aw, are dead, families have been torn apart and villages have been left in ruin.
“It is imperative now that we do everything in our power as a nation to ensure that no stone is left unturned, perpetrators are brought to jsutice and the families, and the communities, affected by our occupation are appropriately compensated.
“Abdul Salim, Fiz Mohammad, Omar Jan, Mohammad Azim, Sakhi Jan, Wali Jan, Gulab Khan, Gran, Abdullah, Toor Jan and Nazar Mohammad. These are the names of the 11 civilians alleged to have been murdered; lest we forget.”

The human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will be extended for a further three months.
The emergency period, which has been in place since 18 March 2020 to protect Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue until 17 September 2021.
The extension, declared by the Governor General today, was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.
The AHPPC has advised that the international COVID-19 situation continues to pose an unacceptable risk to public health.
The extension of the emergency period is an appropriate response to that risk.
The human biosecurity emergency declaration ensures the Government has the powers to take any necessary measures to prevent and control COVID-19.
This extends the four existing emergency determinations including:

• mandatory pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights
• restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory
• restrictions on outbound international travel for Australians
• restrictions on trade of retail outlets at international airports.

To date, these and other measures have greatly assisted in protecting Australia by preventing and controlling the entry, emergence, establishment and spread of COVID-19.
We will continue to review these determinations regularly to take into account the latest medical advice
The Government also continues to consult with the States and Territories and the maritime industry on options for the staged resumption of cruising when the medical advice is that it is safe to do so.
These measures in place under the Biosecurity Act 2015 the can be amended or repealed at any time.

Eligible Victorians whose hours of work and income are significantly affected due to the state lockdown can now claim the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
Since claiming opened at 8am today, thousands of claims have been successfully lodged and Services Australia has already started granting claims.
This payment is for people who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot and can’t attend work as a result of state imposed health restrictions lasting greater than a week.
Eligible people, for the period 4 to 10 June, will receive $500 if they’ve lost 20 hours or more of work, and $325 if they’ve lost less than 20 hours of work. They must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000 or be in receipt of other payments.
Minister for Government Services, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said Services Australia staff are urgently progressing claims from Victorians affected by the current lockdown restrictions in Greater Melbourne.
“Services Australia staff are now processing COVID-19 Disaster Payment claims and prioritising payments and services to support Victorians through this current lockdown period,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Once a claim has been lodged, using a Centrelink online account through myGov, customers do not need to do anything else.
“When their claim is approved, customers should get their payment the next business day.
“Customers will receive an SMS when their claim is submitted. People don’t need to call to check on their claim.
“We expect significant interest in this payment and ask that people be patient, especially during the first few days as Services Australia processes these claims for support.
“Payments will also be backdated to the date someone first became eligible, rather than the date the claim was lodged.”
People who can’t make a claim online can call 180 22 66 for support. Phone lines are open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Eligible visa holders will need to call Services Australia on 180 22 66 to claim.
For more information on the COVID-19 Disaster Payment go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19
Additional information
Services Australia will pay the COVID-19 Disaster Payment from the date of activation for an area where both of the following apply:

• the area has a public health lockdown for more than 7 days (Note: Victorians cannot receive this payment for the first 7 days of lockdown)
• the area is a declared COVID-19 hotspot.

To be eligible for the payment, Victorians must meet all the following criteria:

• be an Australian resident or hold an eligible working visa
• be 17 years or older
• not be in receipt of an income support payment, the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment
• live or work in a COVID-19 declared hotspot
• had paid employment and because of the lockdown are unable to attend work on or after day 8 of lockdown
• lost income on or after day 8 of lockdown and don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements
• have liquid assets of less than $10,000. Note: Liquid assets are any funds readily available in cash or savings, or assets that can easily be converted into cash in a short amount of time.

The Australian Greens have called on the Senate, and state and territory governments, to reject the Morrison Government’s flawed environmental law reforms following the release of a highly-critical Senate Inquiry Report today.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Morrison Government is trying to weaken environment protection laws and hand approval powers for mines and big developments to the states rather than the Commonwealth.
“It is quite clear from the Senate Inquiry Report released today into this plan must be stopped.
“The Inquiry heard these laws not only further weaken existing protections they aren’t scientifically credible and will do nothing to halt the current extinction crisis.
“The only support in this report for the legislation comes from the government.
“If these new laws pass the parliament we will see more dead koalas, more pollution, more logging and more wanton destruction of cultural heritage sites.
“Our states and territories must also again lead where the Morrison Government won’t.
“Queensland, NSW and the ACT governments have rejected the Federal Government’s plan and I urge the other states and territories to join them.
“In particular, I call on SA Environment Minister David Speirs to stand up for our home state, our special natural places and the River Murray which will all be at serious risk if the Morrison Government’s plan goes ahead.
“We need a zero extinction target and to achieve it, we need strong environmental protections and an independent watchdog to hold governments, miners and developers to account.”
Report into Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standards and Assurance) Bill 2021 by the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, including Greens Dissenting Report here.

Australian Greens Peace and Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said today the National Capital Authority’s (NCA) approval of early works as part of the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial (AWM), just days after confimring they had the power to reject the proposal, was anti-democratic.
Senator Steele-John said that of the 601 submissions the NCA received for this proposal – three times more than for any other issue – only three supported the redevelopment, making it abundantly clear that this project does not have the support of the community
“It’s clear that the consultation process up to this point has been an absolute farce and an insult to the community,” Steele-John said.
“After appearing before Senate Estimates just over a week ago and stating they had the power to knock back proposals that were not in line with the capital plan or unsupported by the community, it is incredibly disappointing to see the NCA now wave this proposal through without even taking the time to consult further.
“The speed with which this proposal has been approved by the NCA makes it clear the concenrs of the wider community have been ignored at the behest of the Morrison Government, the AWM and their corporate donors.
“The Greens will continue to listen to the community, who are united in their opposition to the project, and fight to ensure the AWM is a place of rememberance and reflection for all and not a billboard for corporate weapon makers.”

The Greens say Minister Robert’s latest release on the DobSeeker hotline confirms that it is just more Government funded intimidation of people on income support.
This attempt to once again demonise people looking for work is despicable. There are 1.14 million people looking for work and the Minister is making a big deal of a few hundred calls that are still being ‘investigated’. This demonising has to stop.
The mutual obligations system is a vicious cycle of intimidation and paper pushing.
Every month businesses have to deal with 17 million job applications, despite there being just 243,500 jobs available.
Come July that will go up to 23 million per month when people on JobSeeker have to apply for 20 jobs per month.
At the end of the day Minister Robert needs to take responsibility for his Government’s policies and the impact it has. People lose their only income if you don’t put in 15 job applications per month.
It’s because of the Government’s rules that businesses are having to deal with so many applications, but of course Mr Robert is just going to use it as an opportunity to attack people on income support.

The Australian Government is helping nurses receive the extra training they need to care for older Australians.
The University of Wollongong (UOW), the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) are being funded to establish Aged Care Transition to Practice (ACTTP) programs to attract and retain up to 740 new nurses to aged care.
The programs will guide new nurses in their first year of clinical practice through mentorship, professional development and specialist clinical training.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the aged care workforce was at the heart of quality care and supporting the growing workforce was a Government priority.
“This program is designed to directly support and provide guidance for newly-graduated nurses to join this expanding sector,” Minister Hunt said.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was just the beginning of once-in-a-generation changes to aged care in Australia, with a particular focus on workforce.
“It will allow graduates to see the benefit and contribution they can make to the lives of senior Australians, and ultimately choose aged care nursing as a rewarding career of choice,” Minister Colbeck said.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan, said the training component would include infection prevention and control, nutrition, falls prevention and wound care, which will be critical for ensuring safe and high quality care for senior Australians.
“Transition to practice programs are common in other parts of the health sector, and their introduction to aged care will go a long way to boosting the sector,” Prof. McMillan said.
“Many graduates don’t realise aged care provides nurses with opportunities for rapid development and career advancement compared to other clinical settings.
“The critical mentorship component of this program will ensure graduate nurses see these opportunities for growth and make aged care nursing a career of choice.”
The ACTTP program was announced in the 2020-21 Budget and received a $1.1 million funding boost in this year’s historic aged care allocations in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s recommendations.
The successful organisations, UOW, ACN and ACSA, will start work immediately, with all programs underway from July 2021.

World Food Safety Day is an opportunity to recognise Australia’s contributions in providing safe, premium food for consumers here and abroad.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said food integrity and safety was everyone’s business.
“As a major food exporter, Australia has an outstanding reputation as a trusted and reliable supplier in international markets,” Minister Littleproud said
“Underpinned by strong food safety standards, our farmers and food processors continue to provide confidence to the domestic and international community with strong food safety controls to deliver food that remains safe and reliable.
“We’re always looking to improve our food regulatory system to ensure it remains robust and agile into the future.
“One way we are doing this is through chairing the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems which is currently meeting virtually.
“The committee provides guidance and a trusted framework for efficient and transparent inspection and certification systems, which are vital for open trade in reliable and safe foodstuffs.
Senator Richard Colbeck, who has portfolio responsibility for food regulation, said production and consumption of high-quality, safe product had immediate and long-term benefits for individuals, the economy and the rest of the world.
“World Food Safety Day draws global attention to need to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and highlights importance of access to safe, healthy and nutritious food,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Our food safety standards are among the highest in the world.
“Australia prides itself in implementing effective food safety standards throughout food production and distribution chains to ensure the safety and quality of Australian produce.
“The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of strong food safety systems.
“We will continue to be a key producer of high quality, safe, reliable and globally recognised food products.”
Fast Facts:

• This year marks the third United Nations World Food Safety Day.
• The theme this year’s is ‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’.
• Foodborne diseases are a major inhibitor to growth and development in children.
• Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems 25^th meeting is being hosted virtually by Australia over 7 days. Australia has chaired the committee since 1992.