Category: Australian News

The Commonwealth Government today releases a data snapshot of residential aged care facilities which have recorded COVID-19 infections.
The report provides greater transparency for residents and their families around the situation in aged care facilities.
It will complement the existing reporting of COVID-19 in Australia, including the aged care totals reported daily.
The data includes all aged care facilities where there has been more than one case in either a staff member or resident.
It shows that of the 2,706 aged care facilities in Australia, 213 – or 8 per cent – have had cases of COVID-19.
The data does not include details on facilities that have had a single case – there are 98 of these facilities across the country.
The report compares the current impact of COVID-19 in residential aged care to previous influenza outbreaks and demonstrates how Australia is performing internationally.
Supports described in the report include testing, workforce and personal protective equipment support to help the aged care sector with its response to this pandemic.
The Morrison Government has continued to ensure quality of care for senior Australians remains a priority during the pandemic. It is why more than $1.5 billion to date has been invested.
The report will be updated weekly and can be found here.

Adults and young people across Townsville and the region will have increased access to drug and alcohol treatment services as a result of an Australian Government investment of more than $6 million in the Salvation Army rehabilitation and detox centre.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, and Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM, welcomed the opening of the expanded residential rehabilitation and detox facility in Townsville today.
“The misuse of alcohol and other drugs is a serious health concern across Australia,” Minister Hunt said.
“Making sure people have access to the help and support they need with the misuse of alcohol and drugs where and when they need it, is an Australian Government priority.
“Since 2018, the Government has committed more than $800 million to reduce the impact of drug and alcohol misuse on individuals, families and communities through our Drug and Alcohol Program.
“The Salvation Army’s track record helping people recover from addiction and reach their full potential is a tribute to its practical support and compassionate care.
“The newly expanded facility has capacity for 10 patients as well as additional inpatient drug and alcohol treatment services.”
Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM, said alcohol, cannabis and methamphetamine use in North Queensland is a problem not only for the person affected, but for their family, friends and the wider community.
“The Salvation Army residential rehabilitation and detox facility is one we’re very fortunate to have on our doorstep,” Mr Thompson said.
“This means that people who reach out for help and support can get it right here in their own community, and that’s more likely to lead to a better outcome.
“I’m pleased we’ve been able to take this action to address the significant demand for appropriate drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in Townsville.
“There’s no magic bullet to beat addiction, but with the experience and expertise of the Salvation Army, many people will be able to take their first steps toward a stronger, healthier future.”
While state and territory governments are the primary funders of drug and alcohol treatment services, the Australian Government continues to invest significant funding for these services.
About $433 million is being invested in Primary Health Networks to commission locally-based treatment services in line with community needs. This includes $82.8 million for Indigenous-specific services.
Nearly $142 million in funding goes to services with a national and state-wide intake, such as residential rehabilitation services. This funding also includes important leadership activities to build capacity and quality within the sector.
If you want to speak to someone today please call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline for free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs on 1800 250 015.

Responding to the Supreme Court’s decision to grant Adani a temporary injunction to silence anti-Adani activist Ben Pennings, Senator for Queensland and Greens spokesperson for mining and resources, Senator Larissa Waters, said:
“I’m disgusted that a coal billionaire has used the courts to silence anti-Adani climate activist, Galilee Blockade leader Ben Pennings.
“We live in a broken democracy where big companies will do whatever they can to silence opposition.
“The fact that Adani, a multinational coal mining giant convicted of breaching multiple environmental conditions, has thrown its resources into shutting up a local protestor just shows how terrified they are of public scrutiny.
“Our civil laws are designed to protect against harm, so it’s outrageous to see them used to attack those trying to bring the harm being done by Adani to light.
“Adani has already bankrupted a traditional owner who dared to stand against them, now they’re trying to do the same to Ben Pennings.
“This is the same multi-national coal company that can’t get insurance, investors or even a railway because no-one wants anything to do with their climate-wrecking project.
“Adani are having to self-fund, self-insure and now self-haul, because the market can see there is no demand or social licence for new coal.
“Australians want their climate and water protected from being pillaged by multi-national coal companies for private profit.
“The big parties may be dancing to the tune of their coal donors, but the Greens will continue to stand with communities across the country standing against Adani’s destructive path.”

Supporting young people around Australia and their mental health is a priority for the Australian Government.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day and “R U OK?” Day, Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck urged young people not to battle mental health issues on their own.
“It is particularly important this year as younger generations face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The Morrison Government has prioritised mental health for all Australians, with a focus on youth and Indigenous Australians.
“It is vital for people to understand that lifting the mental burden starts with a simple conversation – with a friend, a colleague, a family member or somebody in a support role.”
Minister Colbeck said sharing personal issues with somebody is the first step toward a healthier outlook and a better life.
“We lose too many Australians before their time,” he said.  “The decision to take your life is a devastating one and has ripple effects for family and friends, often for generations.
“The Australian Government is more determined than ever to turn around these tragic statistics.”
Minister Colbeck said on top of recent actions to engage young people and identify the challenges they face, the Government has made a commitment of $509 million towards the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan – the largest strategy of its kind in Australia’s history. Key areas include:

• Strengthening the headspace network by investing an additional $375.0 million to establish an additional 30 new services (10 centres and 20 satellites), reduce waiting times at existing services, continue the Early Psychosis Youth Services program, and expand the Young Ambassadors program;
• A focus on Indigenous suicide prevention with an investment of $14.5 million for tailored initiatives such as a national plan for culturally appropriate care; and
• Reinforcing early childhood and parenting support, by investing $11.8 million in initiatives such as Kids Helpline and batyr.

Minister Colbeck praised organisers for their work to engage those in need through initiatives like “R U OK?” Day which has established itself as an important annual fixture to raise awareness.
“Starting that conversation isn’t always easy but it is so important,” Minister Colbeck said. “Where ever you are, whatever your circumstance – you are not alone.”
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline
(13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.
More information about R U OK? Day can be found on the website.

The Australian Government has signed a $3.7 million contract with a Melbourne company to supply sterile nasal swab kits to the National Medical Stockpile.
3DMeditech will supply Australian made, 3D printed nasopharyngeal swab kits. The kits will be issued from the stockpile to general practitioners, private pathology providers and state and territory governments according to their need for ongoing coronavirus testing.
The kits will include a nasopharyngeal swab, viral transport “media” (salt solution), and a bio hazard bag.
The swabs are the first sterile 3D printed swabs to be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
The kits will make it easy and safe for healthcare professionals to collect clinical specimens from people presenting for COVID-19 testing, and for the samples to be transported to testing laboratories.
3DMeditech, based in Port Melbourne, will deliver the first swabs this week, with further deliveries continuing weekly until early March 2021.
The National Medical Stockpile is a strategic reserve of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medicines maintained by the Australian Government for use in a public health emergency, such as the current pandemic.
Finding an Australian supplier of sterile nasal swabs is another positive move for the nation’s health security. Reliance on overseas suppliers can make it difficult to source vital health resources, such as virus testing materials and PPE, when global demand is high.
In recent weeks, our Government has signed major agreements worth over $1.7 billion to ensure Australia can mass produce vital vaccines, including a COVID-19 vaccine.
The production and supply agreements that form part of our Government’s COVID-19 response plan, means Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a vaccine, after trials have proven it to be safe and effective.

Thousands of jobs across the tourism and hospitality industry will be backed through a $50 million injection to help restart Australia’s vital business events sector.
Businesses will be encouraged to attend events, trade shows and conferences within Australia through grants to help cover the costs associated with exhibiting such as the hire of exhibition spaces, the design and manufacture of displays, travel and accommodation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s lucrative $36 billion business events sector had virtually ground to a halt during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Getting business events up and running again will be a critical part of the recovery of our tourism industry, but will also have huge flow-on effects through the entire economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“This is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ – whether it’s accommodation providers, those who build exhibitions, caterers, cleaners or those offering audio-visual services.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program would provide opportunities and encourage businesses from regional Australia to attend events in their own backyard.
“With many international trade shows out of reach for the time being, making it less expensive and easier for regional businesses to attend events in Australia will also present new opportunities to connect with and secure new customers,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Business events encourage domestic travel and the more events we can lock in, the more people we can get flowing through our airports, on planes and staying in hotels around the country.”
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the sector had been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with around 95 per cent of business events for 2020 either cancelled or postponed.
“Our business events sector is doing it incredibly tough at present and getting events put back into the calendar will help this key part of our tourism industry which supports around 230 000 jobs turn the corner,” Minister Birmingham said.
“By incentivising attendance by exhibitors this should give event companies and organisers across Australia the confidence they need to move ahead with the planning of business events.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the investment would also make businesses more resilient.
“Many Australian businesses are looking to each other to strengthen their supply chains, to prevent the shocks they experienced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Andrews said.
“Connecting businesses through trade shows and conferences will help unlock widespread collaboration and boost domestic capability by creating and expanding local supply chains.”
Under the Business Events Exhibitor Grants program, Australian businesses exhibiting at an approved business meeting, convention, conference and incentives event in 2021 will be able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50 per cent of their costs ($10,000 – $250,000).
This initiative is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, which is supporting regions, communities and industry sectors severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, go to: www.austrade.gov.au/australian/tourism/tourism-and-business/grants

The Morrison Government is backing Australian businesses to grow their exports and create jobs through reforms to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme, after an independent review of financial assistance for small and medium enterprise exporters.
The EMDG scheme is a key Government financial assistance program to help aspiring and current exporters increase their marketing and promotional activities in international markets. Last year alone over 4000 Small and Medium Enterprises accessed the EMDG scheme, employing almost 69,000 Australians and generating exports worth $3.7 billion
Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said better assisting Australian exporters to enter new markets or expand their presence in existing markets would be critical to boosting export activity and supporting Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
“The EMDG scheme has played a critical role in helping hundreds of thousands of Australian exporters to expand into international markets, develop brand recognition overseas and form relationships with potential customers,” Minister Birmingham said.
“COVID-19 has presented new hurdles for Australian exporters including the disruption to supply-chains and loss of markets, and it is more important than ever that they have the support mechanisms in place to help them their reach their export potential.
“Maximising support to Australian businesses as they look to go global or expand their overseas footprint will be vital to continue growing the number of Australian exporters and the total value of Australian exports into the future which will help create more jobs.”
In October last year, the Government commissioned the independent review into the administration of the EMDG scheme. It was led by Ms Anna Fisher, co-owner of Zontes Footstep who was assisted by Australia Post CEO Ms Christine Holgate and Aspen Medical CEO Mr Bruce Armstrong.
Minister Birmingham said the Government accepted in-principle all ten recommendations from the review which centered on cutting red tape, increasing awareness of the scheme and giving exporters more funding certainty.
“Whilst the review found many businesses were overwhelmingly positive about the EMDG scheme, it did find the current reimbursement model provided a lack of funding certainty and that administrative processes were too complex,” Minister Birmingham said.
“By shifting away from a reimbursement model to a grants scheme, eligible exporters will now receive funding closer to when they incur costs, giving more confidence that EMDG funding will genuinely boost their international marketing and promotional activities.
“At the same time, simplifying application processes and reducing the administrative burden on exporters whilst still maintaining integrity in the scheme will allow recipients to focus on boosting export activities and ensure maximum return on taxpayer’s investment.
“I would like to thank Ms Fisher, Ms Holgate and Mr Armstrong for their work in ensuring the scheme remains fit for purpose and will support exporters to be competitive on the world stage into the future.”
Legislation to give effect to these changes to the EMDG scheme is scheduled for introduction into Parliament this year. The new scheme is intended to commence on 1 July 2021 once the new legislation has passed Parliament and associated rules are in place.
Consultations on scheme design and program rules will occur prior to changes coming into effect.
For further information, including the Reviewer’s report, go to: www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-Grants

Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day, the Australian Government is officially launching vital suicide prevention aftercare services in six states and territories, as well as providing a further $19 million to extend leading national suicide prevention services.
Suicide prevention is a key priority for the Australian Government. In 2018, 3,046 Australians lost their lives to suicide. Each death is a national tragedy and has a devastating effect on friends, families and communities.
This year, World Suicide Prevention Day recognises our shared responsibility for suicide prevention and urges us to engage with others and join together to spread awareness.
I encourage all Australians to take a minute to think about mental health and how they and the people around them are coping with life’s demands.
It is ok to talk about suicidality, and to assist others reach out for support. Our Government is investing in a range of innovative programmes to make sure that help is available.
One of these programmes is the Way Back Support Service. This initiative, delivered by Beyond Blue, offers vital follow up contact and assistance to people for several months after a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.
People who have self-harmed or attempted suicide are among the most at risk of dying by suicide. Non-clinical care during this vulnerable time is effective in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
To support The Way Back, the Australian Government has committed $44.6 million over four years, matched by states and territories, to deliver the service in selected regions across Australia.
The Government has now signed bilateral agreements with the ACT, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria, making the service available in six states and territories. We are continuing to engage with the other jurisdictions.
To further ensure that services and support are available to all Australians, an extra $19 million will be provided for 18 projects, to continue their work as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This funding, through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program, will sustain important support, awareness and stigma reduction activities, research, and leadership until June 2022. This announcement brings the total investment in the programme to over $100 million.
Under the program, organisations such as the OzHelp Foundation and MATES in Construction, are funded to provide training and support to higher risk populations, building wellbeing and resilience in workplaces across Australia.
With so much change and so many challenges this year, the work of organisations like OzHelp and MATES is Construction is critical to supporting mental health and preventing suicide.
Also among the organisations receiving funding though the program is R U OK? Ltd.
R U OK? Day is a day when Australians are asked to connect and have conversations about their wellbeing. In recognition of this year’s theme of “there is more to say after R U OK?”, Australians are also all encouraged to follow up on the initial question, to reach out to someone who looks like they may need help.
Like many of our other activities, R U OK? Day will look different this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. Whether through technology or in person, we can still connect and show we care, in our friendship or family groups, workplaces, schools and community.
As well as urging Australians to reach out to others, I encourage anyone going through tough times to reach out for help, whether in person, through telehealth or a phone or online services.
To ensure that help is available when it is needed, the Australian Government has committed more than $500 million for expanded mental health services since January this year. This builds on record funding for mental health, expected to reach an estimated $5.7 billion this year alone.
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline
(13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.
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.
National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program – Funding Breakdown