URGENT CARE CLINIC FOR BRISBANE SOUTH

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to Brisbane Southsiders, with a provider for the Brisbane South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) selected, following an Expression of Interest process.

Cornwall Street Medical Centre will be established as the Brisbane South Medicare UCC and will start seeing patients 23 October 2023.

The Brisbane South Medicare UCC will deliver on the Australian Government’s commitment to make it easier for people in Queensland to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital.<

The Medicare UCC will be open for extended hours, seven days a week, and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed.

Over 30 per cent of presentations to the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.

The Brisbane South clinic is one of the 11 Medicare UCCs across Queensland – located in Bundaberg, Cairns, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Northern Brisbane, Murrumba Downs (Redcliffe), Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville.

The Australian Government will continue to work closely with Primary Health Networks and the Queensland Government to deliver the remaining Medicare UCCs, all of which will open this year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“It’s a real privilege to be opening another Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, this time in Woolloongabba.

“Across Brisbane’s south, when Queenslanders need urgent care that isn’t life threatening – the Brisbane South Medicare UCC will be here to help.

“Prior to the election last year, we committed to rolling out 50 new Urgent Care Clinics across the country. When we complete our rollout – we’ll have exceeded our target and there’ll be 58 centres giving Australians urgent care, taking pressure off emergency departments all over the country.

the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“The Brisbane South Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients across the Southside.

“Southsiders will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services.

“The clinic will ease pressure on the Mater Hospital Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospital, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies.

“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”

Labor Senator for Queensland, Minister Murray Watt said:

“The Brisbane South Medicare UCC will mean Southsiders who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card.

“I know many Southside families who have had to wait long hours at the emergency department for non-life-threatening issues

“This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on our local emergency departments and be much more convenient for our community – closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed under Medicare.”

Northern NSW man jailed for transmitting and soliciting child abuse material 

A Hunter man, 28, has been sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment in the Newcastle District Court for a range of child abuse material offences.

The investigation began after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a user uploading child abuse material to several online platforms.

AFP investigators linked the Hunter region man, then 26, to the illegal activity.

A search warrant was executed at the man’s home near Raymond Terrance in August 2022, with AFP investigators seizing a mobile phone and laptop that contained child abuse material. 

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen warned that watching, downloading or purchasing child abuse material was not a victimless crime.

“The charges demonstrated the AFP’s commitment to investigate and charge offenders believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse,” Det A/Supt Millen added.

“Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators, and our investigators will continue to be relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material.

“Anyone who views this material is committing a crime.”

The man pleaded guilty to:

  • One count of using a carriage service to procure child under 16 years of age, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
  • One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
  • Two counts of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to self, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
  • One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
  • One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth).

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Newcastle District Court yesterday (4 October, 2023), with a non-parole period of three years.

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit www.accce.gov.au.

GREENS READY TO WORK WITH GOVERNMENT TO EXPEDITE SUPER ON PPL

With the release of the Labor’s draft legislation today the Greens reconfirm their intentions to use their Senate balance of power to facilitate the government’s superannuation tax reforms, if they will commit to paying superannuation on PPL.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters said:

“The Government’s superannuation tax proposal is such a timid proposed change to the tax concessions the obscenely wealthy receive. If Labor is not going to improve it, the least they can do is put the revenue to good use for the legions of women retiring into poverty.

“Labor has said repeatedly that they want super paid on paid parental leave ‘when budget circumstances permit’. The expected revenue from its proposed changes to super is more than enough to cover the cost.

“The Greens have said we will facilitate the government’s superannuation tax reforms if they will commit to paying superannuation on PPL. We likewise stand ready to expedite super on PPL through any other bill that the government produces.

“Labor is making women wait for minor measures like paying super on PPL that would immediately improve economic equality, but can somehow find $313 billion for the Stage 3 tax cuts.

“The government has now received the final Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce (WEET) report, but we’re still waiting to see a response.

“The Greens will be pushing to ensure Labor actually listens to the WEET’s advice – on PPL and all other areas of women’s economic security – rather than cherry picking recommendations as they did with the interim report.

“We will use our balance of power in the Senate to get outcomes for families and for the women in Australia retiring with 23 per cent less superannuation than men.”

Trial grants program launched to improve flexibility in early childhood education and care

The Minns Labor Government has launched a $20 million trial grants program aimed at improving working families’ access to early childhood education and care when and where they need it most.

Offering providers a pool of up to $20 million over two years, the Flexible Initiatives Trial will provide grants to support existing ECEC services to expand and innovate, to better meet the needs of children and families and allow parents to enter the workforce or increase their hours.

New or adapted operating models will include:

  • extending hours of care beyond traditional working hours  
  • providing flexible pick-up and drop-off times    
  • improved access to ad hoc care arrangements outside scheduled hours
  • establishing new family day care services in remote areas.

The Flexible Initiatives Trial includes funding to ensure the workforce is supported to deliver flexible models of ECEC. It is one of a suite of ECEC programs to be delivered by the NSW Government in 2023-24, which aim to improve affordability and access.

As part of its recent Budget, the Minns Labor Government affirmed a $5 billion investment in the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund (the Fund) to boost the early childhood workforce and make ECEC affordable and accessible for more families.

The Fund will help deliver on new initiatives that directly support those who need it most –  children, families and the early childhood education workforce.

It will also be used to provide $500 per child of fee relief to 3-year-old children attending eligible preschool programs in long day care centres, effective from early 2024.

Additional programs will be made available over the coming months.

All eligible ECEC service provider types are invited to apply for the Flexible Initiatives Trial, with funding to support family day care services on offer for the first time.

Applications are now open for the first round of the program, and close on 1 December 2023.

Visit the NSW Department of Education website for more information, including the program guidelines, eligibility and upcoming information sessions.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Penny Sharpe said:

“Flexible early childhood education and care options are a critical need for working families, particularly for parents and carers who are in part-time, casual or shift work.

“The Flexible Initiatives Trial is part of the Minns Government’s commitment to improving access to early childhood education and care.

“Through the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund, exciting new initiatives are being developed to respond to the most pressing needs of the sector and the community.”

Using virtual reality to improve emergency stroke care

Emergency department nurses across NSW will gain valuable real-time experience with stroke care through new virtual reality (VR) training program being rolled out across the state.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park today officially launched the program, which will be rolled out across 27 hospitals in NSW, with a demonstration of the immersive training at Royal North Shore Hospital.

“Stroke is a time-critical medical emergency and this technology will help to improve outcomes for people presenting with stroke,” Mr Park said.

“Fast response and treatment of stroke is vital to saving lives and improving recovery.

“By simulating a real-time scenario, this training will give emergency nurses practise in how to handle those first critical minutes.

“A total of 27 VR headsets have been distributed to regional, rural and metropolitan hospitals, with a focus on smaller hospitals where staff may have limited exposure to stroke presentations.

“It’s really pleasing to see this innovative technology being used to train nurses.”

The stroke VR nurse training program will run in all regional local health districts, including the following hospitals: Tweed, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Moree, Armidale, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Manning, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow, Blue Mountains, Goulburn, Cooma, Shoalhaven, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin, Moruya and South East Regional Hospital (SERH).

It will also run in the Sydney, Northern Sydney and South Eastern Sydney local health districts at Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, St Vincent’s and Royal North Shore hospitals.

NSW Health Deputy Secretary Clinical Innovation and Research and Chief Executive, Agency for Clinical Innovation, Dr Jean-Frédéric Levesque, said the VR training is another innovative way the public health system is using technology to improve patient care.

“VR training gives patients and nurses access to best-practice stroke care, especially in regional areas where a local hospital does not receive the same volume of stroke patients as its city counterparts,” Dr Levesque said.

“This new training program complements the successful NSW Telestroke Service, which uses video consultation to provide people living in rural and regional NSW with rapid access to specialist stroke diagnoses and treatment.

“Telestroke is now operating in 23 hospitals across the state.”

The TACTICS VR stroke training program is a collaboration between the Agency for Clinical Innovation and the University of Newcastle Centre for Advanced Training Systems.

University of Newcastle Professor Rohan Walker said the VR nurse training follows Telestroke training already produced using the TACTICS VR platform.

“Health staff find the immersive, interactive and evidence-based training easy to use and it improves their confidence in best-practice clinical care,” Professor Walker said.

For more information on stroke care, visit the Agency for Clinical Innovationlaunch.

New trout season kicks off

The state’s annual trout fishing season commenced on September 30, with rivers and streams in prime condition following the 4-month fishing closure. 

Great fishing across the NSW trout fishery is expected this season.

The annual closure allows trout to breed during the spawning season, to allow good recruitment and ensure we maintain our fishing assets for future seasons.

Consistent rainfall over the past few years has allowed for good natural recruitment, which bodes well for this open season.

NSW boasts an array of popular trout fishing locations, including a range of productive streams in the New England area, the iconic Thredbo and Eucumbene rivers in the Snowy Mountains, and the Fish River near Bathurst in the Central West.

It is important that all anglers check they have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence. It’s also a good idea that anglers take the opportunity to remind themselves about the fishing rules, to ensure our trout fishery remains viable into the future.

The NSW trout fishery is carefully managed to ensure sustainability while delivering socio-economic benefits.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Trout are an incredibly popular freshwater sportfish in our general trout streams, artificial fly and lure streams, and create fantastic opportunities for fishers.

“DPI’s Gaden and Dutton trout hatcheries have completed their breeding programs for the season, and we are working with local clubs and acclimatisation societies to organise stocking of trout fry and fingerlings.

“The wet conditions over the past few years have given a great boost to trout fishing and we look set for yet another bumper season this year, right across the state.”

The 2023-24 trout season is open through to Tuesday, 11 June 2024. A summary of fishing rules and regulations is available via the FishSmart Applaunch or by accessing the NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guidelaunch available at NSW DPI offices, fishing fee agents or online.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing or suspected illegal fishing should contact the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536launch or report illegal activity online via the link.

Anzac Memorial collection increased with priceless donation

The Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park was the recipient of 3 significant objects today thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-branch.

The Henry Bull Honour Board, donated by RSL NSW, lists the names and enlistment dates for the First World War and is the first example of this type of board to be donated to the Anzac Memorial’s collection. It is made of an arched timber frame, with metal header lettering and gold script with carved pillars that frame the sides of the board.

It is a unique example of the large ornate honour boards that companies made to honour their staff who had served and died during the Great War.

Also donated by RSL NSW was the HMAS Anzac Ship Model. HMAS Anzac was launched as a Royal Navy destroyer in 1917 serving in the North Sea and English Channel, before being transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1919 and was named in honour of Australians and New Zealanders who had fought at Gallipoli.

This large ship model was built in about 1970 by Royal Australian Navy veteran, Vince Fazio, who had served during the Korean War on HMAS Condamine.

Redfern RSL sub-branch donated the Captain Alfred Shout VC Memorial Tablet. The tables is one of the earliest memorials in NSW that was unveiled to a soldier killed during the Great War. Alfred Shout was 1 of 9 soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross at Gallipoli, where he was also awarded a Military Cross. The tablet was originally unveiled Darlington Town Hall in November 1915, prior to the evacuation of Gallipoli.

Minister for Veterans David Harris accepted the objects on behalf of the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial at a small event. The event also acknowledged Ray James OAM outgoing RSL NSW President for his outstanding service to veterans in NSW and for the donations to the Anzac Memorial.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“I would like to personally acknowledge and thank Ray James for his outstanding service, first as a veteran of the Vietnam War and then as RSL President and Trustee of the Anzac Memorial.

“It’s fitting that one of Ray’s last acts is to oversee such prized items being added to the Anzac Memorial collection. It’s an appropriate tribute to his enormous contribution.

“Thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-Branch, the people of NSW will get to view these unique items when visiting the state’s premier war memorial.”

Up to $400,000 available to enhance fish habitat

Local councils, community groups and government agencies are invited to apply for the latest round of the Flagship Grants program worth up to $400,000 per project to see local coastal waterways flourish. 

Applications open on 4 October and have previously been used to fund rehabilitation of coastal wetlands, among other vital projects.

Community organisations, local councils and natural resource managers across the state have until 15 November 2023 to apply for funding for their projects to improve habitat for native fish.

The Flagship Grants program builds on the existing Habitat Action Grants program and seeks to target much larger scale projects that require higher levels of funding assistance.

These grants offer a rare opportunity for regional fishing clubs or organisations to significantly improve fish habitats and fishing opportunities within their local creek, river or estuary.

Previous Flagship Grants have also included funding for:  

  • rehabilitation of significant riparian lands / coastal wetlands (river banks, mangrove forests, saltmarsh), including addressing poor water quality from the disturbance of acid sulfate soils;
  • removal or modification of barriers to fish passage including addressing floodgates, road-crossings and construction of fishways;
  • re-snagging of waterways with timber structures; and
  • environmentally sensitive bank stabilisation works, including riparian restoration where these works are identified and part of a large-scale remediation program.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“I am excited to support funding that enables long-term benefits to local fish habitats and recreational fisheries. I want to see as many submissions as possible.

“The Flagship Grants are supported with funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and are a great example of how recreational fishing licence fee funds are reinvested to improve recreational fishing.

“Ultimately, these Flagship Grants are about making sure we have functional fish habitats and happy native fish here in NSW.

Visit the Department of Primary Industrieslaunch for more information and to apply for this round.
 

First social housing accelerator in Riverwood

More people in NSW will have access to their own home with a $6.2 million redevelopment of residential dwellings in Riverwood – the first project in the state announced under the Federal Government’s Social Housing Accelerator payment.

The NSW Land and Housing Corporation is delivering 11 homes for seniors at Methuen Parade, Riverwood, configured as 5 x 1-bedroom and 6 x 2-bedroom units.

The development is replacing 3 existing dwellings, is close to Narwee shops and local transport. Construction is set to begin this month, with completion expected by September 2024. The project will be wholly funded by the Social Housing Accelerator.

The Federal Government announced its $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator in June, including $610 million for NSW, which will increase Australia’s housing supply by creating thousands of social homes across Australia.

This project is the first of many that will boost social housing supply and get more people into homes sooner in NSW, with around 1500 social homes to be added to the state’s existing social housing portfolio through the Federal Government’s Social Housing Accelerator.

The NSW Government is committed to working alongside the Federal Government to deliver an ambitious housing reform agenda by investing heavily in critical new social and affordable housing supply through various reforms including the Social Housing Accelerator.

Today’s announcement builds on agreement by National Cabinet to the most significant housing reforms in a generation, including a new national target to build 1.2 million new well-located homes, the National Planning Reform Blueprint, and A Better Deal for Renters.

At National Cabinet, the Federal Government also committed $3 billion to the New Homes Bonus to incentivise states and territories to undertake the reforms necessary to reach the 1.2 million well-located homes target, and $500 million for the Housing Support Program to help local and state governments deliver new housing supply in well-located areas.

The NSW Government has also committed to establish Homes NSW to deliver better outcomes for public and social housing tenants, deliver more affordable and social housing and reduce the number of homeless people in NSW.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“Everyone deserves the security of a roof over their head – the Social Housing Accelerator is real dollars, driving real change and building more homes for Australians.

“This is the second Social Housing Accelerator project we’ve seen kickstarted into action in just weeks across the nation, and we will continue working with the Minns Government to get on with the job of delivering more social housing.

“We have an ambitious housing agenda which includes the delivery of 30,000 social and affordable homes through our Housing Australia Future Fund.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Every person across NSW should have access to a safe and secure place to call home.”

“Housing affordability and availability is the biggest single pressure facing the people of NSW, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.”

“This is just the beginning. Through dedicated funding from the Federal Government, the new Housing Australia Future Fund, and funding allocated through the NSW state budget, this state is ready to make meaningful change to the social housing sector while getting roofs over the heads of those who desperately need it.”

Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins said:

“We know Australia’s housing challenges are serious which is why we’re taking immediate action with our $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator.

“This new funding, and the homes we are announcing today, will mean more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

“This will make a real difference – here in NSW and right across the country.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Our priority is to continue to deliver more social and affordable housing across NSW.

“There are 55,880 people across this state on the social housing waitlist and this funding is about getting more people into homes sooner.”

Wrong priorities for road safety

The NSW Opposition has criticised the Labor Government for demonstrating its wrong priorities regarding road safety policy following the Government’s first budget.

With the road toll on year-to-date figures up 26% compared to the previous year, analysis by the Opposition has revealed a 34% decrease in the allocation for road safety initiatives in this financial year.

Road Safety Expenditure1

Financial Year2020/20212021/20222022/20232023/2024
Road Safety Allocation (’000)$ 331,076$ 331,515$ 421,521$ 280,294
Change on previous year 0%27%-34%
Percentage change over four years-15%

Road Fatality Rate2:

 2020202120222023
Road Fatalities (Year to end of September)221195214270
Percentage Change compared to previous year(Year to end of September) –12%+10%+26%
Change over four years YTD+22%

Shadow Minister for Roads Natalie Ward commented “We will support the Government when it comes to road safety policy, but I question if the Government’s eye is on the ball right now.”

“Working towards the ambitious target of zero fatalities or serious injuries on NSW roads by 2050 requires sustained effort across successive Governments and I think It is fair question the priorities of this Government when it appears funding has been cut.”

“The measure of any Roads Minister is what steps they take to keep people safe, and I question where this important area is on the priority list for the new Government.”