Category: Australian News

More mental health support services will be immediately provided to firefighters, emergency personnel, individuals and communities impacted by the ongoing bushfire disaster.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said an initial $76 million would fund free counselling sessions, extra Medicare and tele-health consultations, an expansion of headspace services for young Australians, and community recovery initiatives.
“These bushfires have been unprecedented in their scale, coverage and duration. They have caused tragic loss of life and physical damage, that have scarred our landscape. But as I have witnessed in connecting with people on the ground in fire affected communities, they have also taken a traumatic emotional toll on our people. We need to ensure the trauma and mental health needs of our people are supported in a way like we never have before ,” the Prime Minister said.
“Working together, we will continue to do whatever is needed to support those Australians affected and traumatised by these terrible bushfires by rebuilding communities and helping people in need to recover.”
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the funding was part of the Government’s comprehensive response to the bushfire crisis.
“I urge people to reach out, get the support they need and check in on loved ones,” Minister Hunt said.
“Our Government’s response will help assist with distress counselling and mental health support for individuals, families and communities, including frontline personnel, impacted by the ongoing bush fire emergency.”
Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert said Services Australia would put its shoulder to the wheel to help deliver this new level of support to Australians who need it.
“If you’re in a bushfire affected area I urge you to call 180 22 66­­­. Staff are working extended hours and will continue to do so as long as necessary,” Minister Robert said.
Immediate distress and trauma support
$10.5 million will be provided to make up to 10 free counselling sessions immediately available for individuals, including emergency services personnel, who have been affected by the bushfires.
The sessions – offered at recovery centres, Service Australia centres, and existing local mental health centres in fire affected regions – will provide short-term distress support, social support, counselling and family based psychological interventions to help people through the immediate trauma and crisis.
A further $3.2 million investment will help deploy bushfire mental health response coordinators to fire affected areas.
Enhanced services through Medicare and Telehealth
To deliver longer-term support to those affected, $29.6 million will be provided for additional Medicare-supported psychological treatment sessions and expanded access to mental health care via telehealth.
Anyone who has been impacted by bushfires will be eligible to receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 psychological therapy sessions provided by GPs, psychologists, and other eligible mental health professionals.
These 10 sessions will be in addition to the 10 psychological therapy sessions currently available under Medicare.
To make it as simple and fast as possible to access the new items, individuals do not need to have a GP referral or mental health treatment plan, but can seek appointments directly with any eligible mental health professional.
In addition, the Better Access via Telehealth Initiative will be expanded, which will allow people in rural and remote areas affected by bushfires to receive Medicare rebated counselling and psychological support through video telehealth services. This will also allow eligible GPs to deliver mental health and wellbeing support via telehealth.
The new Bushfire Recovery and telehealth Medicare items will apply to all Australians, including children, young people, adults, seniors, and frontline emergency personnel who were residents of, working in, or visiting a bushfire affected region.
The items will be available at the end of this week, be in place for the next two years and will ensure that people impacted by the fires are able to receive more intensive services, particularly over the next three to six months when trauma is more likely to manifest. Individuals are also encouraged to use existing tele-psychiatry services where needed.
Child and youth mental health
We recognise that young Australians may be particularly vulnerable and to assist with managing any increased demand for headspace services, headspace sites significantly impacted by fire will also each be provided with up to an additional $300,000 to ensure that young people can get support when they need it.
Given the particularly devastating impact of the bushfires on the New South Wales South Coast, the Government will also expand the planned Bateman’s Bay headspace site and expedite funding of $4.4 million over five years to ensure the centre is up and running by the end of the year.
Support for Emergency Service Personnel
Emergency services workers and their families often face the most confronting situations. To ensure they have extensive and ongoing support, we will provide $16 million for specialist organisations to provide them with trauma care services.
This funding will ensure that workers and their families are receiving more intensive support that might be necessary to prevent and treat the effects of trauma, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), both now and after the immediate fire threat has passed.
We will also provide $1 million for training for front line emergency service personnel in trauma-informed care and psychological first aid. This includes training for doctors, pharmacists, and health professionals who are often the first people that communities turn to for support.
An additional $1 million will also be provided for training of staff in organisations that manage front line emergency personnel, in order to help them identify and assist emergency personnel who may be at risk.
Community recovery and coordination
The Government recognises that communities will need support to recover and rebuild, and that they often know what is best to support their wellbeing. To assist them, we will be providing $6.9 million for community wellbeing grants and further funding for locally tailored mental health services through Primary Health Networks (PHNs).
These grants will help communities organise wellbeing and recovery activities. Communities will be able to apply for these grants through their local PHNs, which will also receive funding to facilitate these activities and deliver additional mental health resources specific to the needs of each local community.
This comprehensive response, developed in consultation with key experts, acknowledges and supports individuals, families, frontline personnel, and communities during different stages of recovery. It reinforces our Government’s strong commitment to better mental health for all Australians and will complement the existing investment of $5.2 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services this financial year.
Contacts for support
Immediate distress and trauma support – Individuals can contact Services Australia on 180 22 66 [CN1] or their local Primary Health Network (PHN) (found at www.health.gov.au/phn) to locate and access these sessions.
In addition, anyone experiencing distress as a result of these events can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), the Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health portal, Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au).
Mental Health Support through Medicare – Individuals should contact their GP or eligible mental health professional to access these services. GP’s or other health professionals seeking advice should visit www.humanservices.gov.au or call 132 150.
headspace – Local headspace services can be found at: https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/. For young people unable to attend a headspace centre, eheadspace is available online at www.headspace.org.au or via telephone at 1800 650 890.

Australia urgently needs a National Water Pollution Plan with clean water looming as the next crisis as a result of the catastrophic fires across the country, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for Water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said experts were already warning of the threat to drinking water.
“The unprecedented fires we are seeing across the country are putting Australia’s clean water supply at risk. I’m very worried clean drinking water is the next looming crisis,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Ash, debris and rotting carcasses are washing into our rivers and waterways causing pollution and contamination to our drinking water.
“Rivers and lakes are starved of oxygen from the pollution, impacting animals and plants that need the oxygen to survive, and leading to catastrophic events like the Menindee fish kill last summer.
“We urgently need a National Water Pollution Plan and the Prime Minister needs to tell us how he plans to keep our water clean.
“We are lucky you can turn on the tap here and drink the water from it, you know your kids are safe brushing their teeth with it – that is all at risk.
“The climate emergency has already pushed many parts of the country into drought and dried up water supplies to some regional towns.
“Our environment and native species are facing an ecological disaster.
“The short and long term impacts from the fires on water cannot be ignored or delayed, or even more communities will suffer.”

With an estimated half a billion native animals killed by the devastating bushfires across Australia, the Greens are calling on the Federal Government to urgently fund a review of the loss of native wildlife and bushfire-specific recovery plans for impacted species.
“The impact the climate fires are having on our precious wildlife is heartbreaking. The scale of the devastation is shocking and is making headlines around the world,” Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“On Kangaroo Island in my home state of South Australia, it’s estimated 25,000 koalas – up to half the Island’s population – has been killed. Grave fears are held for the survival of other endangered species such as the dunnart and rare glossy cockatoo.
“This could be an ecological disaster. An urgent response is required to help those who are injured and suffering and to ensure the best chance of recovery to prevent extinction.
“We are in the midst of an environmental catastrophe. Our wildlife desperately need and deserve action and so do those on the ground working tirelessly to save them.
“The Greens are calling on the Federal Government to urgently fund a review of the loss of native animals and bushfire-specific recovery plans in bushfire-affected areas across the country.
“The Morrison Government must listen to the millions of Australians who care more about clean air, clean water and a safe and liveable environment than they do a political surplus.
“This is a climate emergency. The time for debate is over. We need leadership that delivers the assistance Australians and our wildlife need at this difficult time and a climate policy fit for the crisis we’re in.”
 

The Greens have called on the Prime Minister to establish a ‘Fighting Fund’ for the environment to restore and protect the flora and fauna decimated by the climate fires.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“We are facing half a billion animals lost from these fires right across the country and millions of hectares of habitat destroyed impacting survival and recovery of native species that are left.
“We need a fighting fund to restore the environment.
“The PM needs to commit proper funding to protect those animals that have survived and to restore their habitat. People are rightly asking, ‘where is the Environment Minister?’ The hundreds of volunteers fighting to save injured and homeless wildlife need to know what the Australian Government is going to do to help them.
“It is vital for the tourism of the affected regions whether it’s Kangaroo Island, the Adelaide Hills, the South Coast of NSW or East Gippsland and it would be a jobs creator to do it.
“People I spoke to on KI want to invest in rebuilding their Island but it’s not just about bricks and mortar, it’s also about the very thing people come to KI to see – the environment, the habitat of those animals and the pristine wilderness area.
“Once these fires are finally put out and people have started piecing their lives back together, we don’t want the PM’s focus to fall.
“These communities cannot keep bearing the brunt of the climate emergency. Australians want relief and a commitment to rebuild right now, but they also want political leaders to stand up and take action on climate change because we have to adapt, we have to mitigate and we have to be prepared to take those decisions that are going to not make climate change worse.
“The last thing we need is political leaders with their heads buried in the sand. This is the moment we need to use to take the necessary actions and we need to do it now.”

The Federal Environment Minister is missing in action despite reports that more than a billion native animals have been impacted and killed in the catastrophic fires across Australia and millions of hectares of habitat burnt, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“We are in the midst of environmental collapse and the Minister responsible is missing in action. The climate fires have caused an ecological disaster. Entire species may have been wiped out.
“As I’ve met with dozens of dedicated wildlife carers and local community members who’ve been so devastated by these fires, I’ve heard countless firsthand accounts of how these fires and the conditions underpinning it are unprecedented. The habitats that have been so crucial to supporting livelihoods and native wildlife have been entirely wiped out. Pristine wilderness areas that attract tourists and therefore jobs to regional areas have been decimated.
“Where is the Environment Minister? I’m calling on her to come out today and stand up for our environment and threatened species. Our wildlife deserves it, the carers rescuing them deserve it and our communities need it.
“The Federal Government must urgently establish a fighting fund for the environment to save, restore and protect what remains. Our communities rightly need funding for homes and infrastructure but the environment that so many humans and animals depend on, cannot be left as an afterthought.
“The time for funding and action is now, or we may just lose some of our precious wildlife and flora for good.”

The Morrison Government will provide an initial and immediate base payment of $1 million to 42 of the most severely bushfire impacted councils in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland to help quickly rebuild vital infrastructure and strengthen community resilience.
A further $18 million will be set aside to provide additional support to larger council areas which have experienced the most significant damage, with the National Bushfire Recovery Coordinator Andrew Colvin working with state governments and impacted local councils on determining this additional allocation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his Government was committed to working hand in hand with regional communities to rebuild towns and villages.
“These payments will provide immediate assistance directly into the hands of local councils to rebuild roads and infrastructure, employ staff to help in recovery activities and hold events which bring the community together and bring tourists back to town,” the Prime Minister said.
“We are moving immediately to support local councils and our funding will be in state government bank accounts by tomorrow.
“Importantly this is a base payment and just the start of our support for local communities, in what we know will be a long recovery.”
Funding will be directed to councils which have been ‘activated’ by their respective state government for Category C bushfire disaster recovery relief under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Payments will not require matched funding from state governments.
Currently there are 40 councils across Australia in receipt of Category C assistance, including 33 in New South Wales, five in Queensland and two in South Australia (list below).
Funding will also be provided to the Local Government Areas of East Gippsland and Towong in Victoria in recognition of an imminent request from the Victorian Government for Category C assistance for these severely impacted regions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government was backing regional communities to rebuild and recover.
“We have always known regional communities are Australia’s most resilient and in the devastation of these fires we have seen again the remarkable community spirit existing in our regions, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
“The immediate payments to councils will boost affected economies by supporting local small businesses, farmers and trades as they rebuild, restock, replant and recover.”
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the focus would be on supporting local communities.
“I’ve made it clear this won’t be a Canberra led recovery, it’ll be a locally led recovery and this is our first instalment in that process. We’re empowering local governments to be part of that process today. We’re committed to rebuilding communities but also the lives of those impacted by these devastating fires,” Minister Littleproud said.
All funds will be drawn from the $2 billion allocated to the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and this is in addition to funding that is automatically available to councils through other disaster recovery arrangements.
The lump sum payments will be delivered by the Commonwealth by the close of business tomorrow to State Governments who administer payments to councils.
The only condition placed on councils is that they develop a Program of Works within three months and report back to the Commonwealth in 12 months’ time.
Councils will be able to spend their $1 million payments on projects and activities that they deem essential for the recovery and renewal of their communities, including:

• Rebuilding damaged or destroyed council assets such as key local roads, bridges, and community facilities;
• Employing additional local staff to take on specialist recovery or planning roles to help coordinate and plan the rebuilding effort;
• Hosting new public activities and events to bring communities together and attract visitors back to affected regions; and
• Immediate maintenance and repairs to relief and evacuation centres.

Councils to receive assistance

NSW

• Armidale
• Ballina
• Bega Valley
• Bellingen
• Blue Mountains
• Byron
• Central Coast
• Cessnock
• Clarence Valley
• Coffs Harbour
• Eurobodalla
• Glenn Innes Severn
• Hawkesbury
• Inverell
• Kempsey
• Kyogle
• Lismore
• Lithgow
• Mid-Coast
• Mid-Western
• Nambucca
• Port Macquarie-Hastings
• Queanbeyan-Palerang
• Richmond Valley
• Shoalhaven
• Singleton
• Snowy Monaro
• Snowy Valleys
• Tenterfield
• Tweed
• Walcha
• Wingecarribee
• Wollondilly

QLD

• Livingstone
• Noosa
• Scenic Rim
• Southern Downs
• Sunshine Coast

SA

• Adelaide Hills
• Kangaroo Island

VIC

• East Gippsland
• Towong

The Morrison Government will ensure that disaster relief payments being made to individuals and businesses impacted by the devastating bushfires are tax exempt.
This decision will ensure that every dollar that is paid out to affected individuals, businesses and primary producers goes to supporting them during these difficult times and to rebuilding their livelihoods.
Notably, the exemption will extend to payments such as:

• Disaster Recovery Allowance payments made to individuals; and
• payments that would otherwise be taxable under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, such as grants that may be made to small businesses and primary producers.

This follows on from an announcement by the Prime Minister on 29 December 2019 that the payments being made to eligible Rural Fire Service Volunteers will be free from tax.
Legislation to give effect to these changes will be required as was the case to give effect to similar tax exemptions in relation to the North Queensland floods. The legislation will be introduced in the next sitting of Parliament.
This action comes on top of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) ongoing support, including the automatic deferral of lodgement and payment obligations for individuals and businesses in communities affected by the bushfires.
Further information on the support being provided by the ATO can be found at ato.gov.au/naturaldisasters. Impacted individuals or businesses can also contact the ATO’s Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218.

• Additional council areas in Southern NSW to access Federal-State community recovery funding bringing the total support to more than $80 million.
• Recovery grants of up to $15,000 for farmers and small businesses
• Funding for additional mental health support and local led economic and community resilience initiatives

Community recovery assistance has been extended for bushfire-hit communities in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Shoalhaven, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Mid-Western council areas.
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said up to $18.1 million in new money has been made available to extend community recovery assistance under the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“This will give farmers and small businesses recovery grants of up to $15,000,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The money will help farmers and small businesses clean-up, repair damages and replace stock.
“Getting back to business is one of the best ways to recover.
“These recovery grants will help businesses reopen so people can get back to work sooner.
“When money flows around a community it can help to speed up the whole recovery.
“Mental health services will get a $4.5 million boost so they can support communities, volunteers and emergency services staff in these areas.
“This takes the total assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to more than $80 million.
“The Federal Government will stand by these communities until they’re back on their feet and will make further assistance available as it is needed.”
Acting NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Anthony Roberts said that there is a broad range of assistance available to bushfire affected communities.
“There is support for people who are suffering personal hardship; help for people whose homes have been damaged; and funding for firefighting operations and to restore damaged essential public assets,” Mr Roberts said.
“Importantly, the NSW and Commonwealth governments are not only committed to helping affected communities with their recovery but also making them more resilient to future disasters.
“That’s why we’ve allocated funding to support these communities by extending the NSW Bushfires Economic Recovery and Community Resilience Grants Program.
“If we need to extend these community recovery measures to other areas we will do so.”
The community recovery assistance program is being jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments through the DRFA.
To apply for a recovery grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.