Labor & Liberals Refuse to Centre Lived Experience on NDIS Committee

In the first week of Parliament, Labor and the Liberals have joined forces to deny the disability community the opportunity to have disabled person as Chair of the Joint Standing Committee of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Tonight, Senator Larissa Waters as Greens Leader in the Senate moved a motion to change the rules that govern the composition of the Joint Standing Committee of the NDIS. If that motion had been successful, it would have allowed Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John the opportunity to Chair the Committee. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John is the only physically disabled person in the Australian Parliament.

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, Disability Rights and Services Spokesperson said:  

“The Joint Standing Committee of the NDIS is the key Parliamentary oversight body of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. 

“It is an outrage that the Labor and Liberal Parties have worked together to block our Greens motion which would have ensured that a disabled person would have led that committee and the reviews it undertakes. 

“Right now the NDIS is failing so many people in our community. Urgent, transformative change is required. The only pathway we will get this change right is centering lived experience, putting disabled at the helm of reviews, and we must ensure disabled people are taking on leadership roles.=

“Shame on the old, two-party system denying our community this vital opportunity.” 

We know how to Close the Gap, say Greens. We’ve known for over 30 years.

New data from the Productivity Commission reveals that this country is still failing to hit more than two-thirds of the Closing the Gap targets. Suicide, adult incarceration, First Nations children in out of home care and developmental milestones are among the targets that are not on track.

“If the Albanese Government has any backbone, they will implement all of the recommendations from the Bringing them Home report and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.”

“First Nations people are sick of hearing about the continued failures of Closing the Gap, we demand action from this so-called progressive Government who says that Blak Lives Matter.”

“We have the solutions. We’ve known how to Close the Gap for over 30 years.”

“First Nations people are taking their lives because they can’t see a future for themselves in this system. Survivors of the stolen generation are seeing a new generation of our children being stolen. Over 500 people have died in custody since the Royal Commission and no one has been held accountable. It’s devastating.”

“The Joint Council on Closing the Gap shows us that advisory bodies don’t work. Every year, they tell us how bad we’re doing. The Albanese Government needs to listen to the voices that have already spoken and go back to the incredible work that our old people have already done.”

“Everyone does better when we’re free to make our own choices. We can Close the Gap by putting First Nations people in charge of our own communities through Treaty. The area’s where we’re seeing progress shows us that putting First Nations people in the driver’s seat works.”

“The area’s where we’re going backwards are areas that successive Governments have chosen to ignore, for over 30 years. They have the solutions and they choose to ignore them. This is your chance to do the right thing, Labor.”

Chief Medical Officer’s statement declaring monkeypox a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance

I have declared the unfolding situation regarding monkeypox (MPX) in Australia to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.

This follows the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the global situation regarding MPX to be a public health emergency of international concern.

The latest data from 1 January to 28 July 2022 as reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) indicates there have been 20,311 MPX cases in 71 countries (including Australia) that have not historically reported MPX.

In Australia, there have been 44 cases – the majority of which have been within returned international travellers.

It is important to note that although I have declared MPX to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance, it is far less harmful than COVID-19 and there have been no deaths reported during the current outbreak outside of countries where the virus is endemic.

MPX is also not transmitted in the same way as COVID-19 – and is far less transmissible.

The decision to declare MPX a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance was made under the Emergency Response Plan for Communicable Disease Incidents of National Significance, in consultation with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

Since May, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care public health experts have engaged with at-risk communities in partnership with key stakeholders and have been working very closely with their counterparts in state and territory health departments to ensure our response to MPX has been swift and coordinated.

The National Incident Centre has been activated to provide enhanced national coordination to assist states and territories to effectively manage the outbreaks within their jurisdictions.

MPX’s rash and flu-like symptoms are relatively mild, and in most cases, resolve themselves within two to four weeks without the need for specific treatments.

Most cases of MPX in Australia have been among people aged 21 to 40 years. The experience internationally and in Australia to date is most cases have been among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

Although MPX is not usually considered a sexually transmissible infection, physical contact with an infected person during sexual intercourse carries a significant risk of transmission and intimate physical contact such as hugging, kissing and sexual activities represent a risk of infection, with infectious skin sores being the likely mode of transmission.

The rash usually occurs on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. However, in this outbreak it is being seen especially on the genital and perianal regions of affected people.

The rash can vary from person to person and take on the appearance of pimples, blisters or sores. The flu-like symptoms often include fever, chills, body aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and tiredness.

The National Medical Stockpile has available stock of MPX treatments, such as antivirals, for states and territories to access on request.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated clinical guidance on vaccination against monkeypox using the ACAM2000 vaccine to include the use of MVA-BN vaccine to prepare for supplies of the third-generation vaccine being made available in Australia.

Further information about monkeypox is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website www.health.gov.au/health-topics/monkeypox-mpx

Libs: Australians are paying the price for the lack of a Labor plan

Inflation figures out today confirm what many families are already feeling – the cost of everything is going up.

The ABS has confirmed The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.8 per cent this quarter. Over the twelve months to the June 2022 quarter, the CPI rose 6.1 per cent.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Labor promised cost of living relief during the election campaign but is now telling struggling families they’ll need to wait.

“Families are feeling it at the bowser, in the supermarket, when they pay their power bills and when they renovate their homes,” Mr Taylor said.

“Labor went to the election promising to ease the cost of living, reduce electricity costs and increase real wages but it’s only getting harder for Australian households and the Government has offered no real plan to address these challenges.

“We haven’t seen inflation this high in more than three decades. The Government can make choices to address these pressures. The Treasurer should avoid being complacent about these real pressures on Australians and outline a proactive plan to address inflation.

“Australians are already paying the price for the lack of a Labor plan.”

Shadow Minister for Finance Senator Jane Hume said the Government needed to provide a clear and credible path forward to managing the budget, not just excuses.

“Jim Chalmers says that his statement tomorrow will be outlining why his job is hard. Labor had all the answers during the election campaign, but now at a time when Australians are paying more for their groceries, their petrol and their homes, there are no solutions in sight from the Government,” Senator Hume said.

“Australians are feeling the pinch in their pockets and need more than the same old excuses from Labor to afford basic necessities.

“The International Monetary Fund report released overnight has confirmed that the Government needs to act and plan for the future now.

“The former Coalition Government left Labor with the toolkit to continue Australia’s strong economic position. Record low unemployment, strong GDP growth, historically low interest rates and the largest turn around to the budget bottom line in 70 years.

“Anthony Albanese needs to provide Australians with a plan to help them deal with this cost of living crisis, not a list of excuses.”

Community encouraged to lend their green thumb on National Tree Day

School students, local residents and City of Newcastle staff are digging in to help expand the city’s urban forest as part of National Tree Day celebrations this week.

Around 100 students from Mayfield West Demonstration School will lead the charge during Schools Tree Day tomorrow before members of the wider community are invited to take part in a planting event on Sunday 31 July.

The combined efforts will see around 6,000 native trees planted at Bull and Tourle Street Reserve, Mayfield West, as part of City of Newcastle’s (CN’s) Community Urban Forest program, which is designed to increase Newcastle’s urban forest canopy cover, mitigate urban heat and extend a pocket of habitat for native fauna.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said connecting with local school students and residents to plant trees and learn about nature is a special way to mark the national event.

“By involving residents and students in the implementation of new urban forest at Bull & Tourle Street Reserve, it has a positive impact on Newcastle and improves our community sense of wellbeing,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle cares for a wonderful array of natural ecosystems including 79 kilometres of creeks, 506 hectares of bushland, 65 wetlands, nine coastal rock platforms, 19 hectares of sand dunes along our 10 beaches, and over 90,000 street and park trees.

“These natural assets sustain our local biodiversity, keep our city cool, absorb and store carbon, provide food and shelter for native wildlife, and keep our air and water clean, while also making our city a more beautiful and pleasant place to live.

“I encourage all residents to partake in National Tree Planting Day by heading down to Mayfield West on Sunday 31 July.”

This year CN is partnering with the Lions Club of Mayfield Waratah Blind and Vision Impaired Inc to celebrate 75 years of community service by Lions Australia. The Lions Club will also be running a barbecue as part of the event on Sunday.

The urban forest planting events are another example of the City’s commitment to becoming an International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) City with Nature, recognising and enhancing the value of our natural surrounds, as well as our efforts to be a global local government leader in sustainability.

The community event will be held from 9am to 1pm on Sunday. Gloves, tools and equipment for planting will be provided and residents should bring along a hat and wear appropriate clothing such as covered shoes, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Register attendance by visiting https://treeday.planetark.org/

City of Newcastle rallies community to power ahead toward cleaner energy future

More than 2500 local and regional governments from around the world are invited to come together tomorrow to exchange ideas on how to electrify communities to fight climate change, create local jobs, and make the air cleaner for future generations.

As a long-standing member of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy Oceania, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes will host the virtual webinar on Friday 29 July.

Clean energy advocate Dr. Saul Griffiths will steer the conversationby illustrating the positive climate and economic outcomes possible with rapid electrification. As an engineer, scientist and inventor, Dr Griffiths helps Fortune 500 companies understand energy infrastructure and decarbonisation, has been a principal investigator for NASA, and has advised US President Joe Bidden on climate change.

Cr Nelmes said by leading such an important conversation she aims to promote positive solutions, influence sustainability policy and drive action amongst local and regional communities.

“Globally, this is a critical decade for action on climate change and local communities are at the forefront of responding to challenges that will be faced in the future,” Cr Nelmes said.

“It takes collective action, commitment, and leadership to meet the challenges of a climate emergency, to take advantage of the economic opportunities from meeting emissions targets and create a net zero emissions city.

“As a leader in this space, City of Newcastle (CN) is delivering its adopted Climate Action Plan 2021-2025, which sets out a roadmap for achieving emission reduction within its operations.

“This includes the development of a Fleet Transition Plan to target zero emissions from vehicles for 100% of the fleet by 2030.

“By joining more like-minded local and regional governments that are also committed to sustainable urban development initiatives, we look forward to sharing ideas and solutions on ways we can help create systemic change for our respective communities.”

Time to bust your energy bills

Applications for the NSW Government’s Energy Bill Buster program to help households slash their power bills by up to $600 a year open on Monday.
 
The 2022-23 NSW Budget included $128 million to help up to an initial 30,000 eligible households install solar or replace appliances with more energy efficient ones.
 
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean is urging families to apply for the incentives to cut their bills.
“Around 30,000 households can apply for a free solar system or energy efficient appliance upgrades that can save them up to $600 per year,” Mr Kean said.
 
“It’s all about taking the pressure off families and putting more money back into household budgets.”
 
Mr Kean said the Energy Bill Buster program provides eligible households with more choice on how they manage their energy bills. 
 
“This program enables households to make decisions that will deliver long term savings on their energy bills while making clean energy improvements to their homes,” he said.
 
“You can switch to solar or upgrade your home fittings and appliances, which are tried and tested ways to cut your energy bills year after year.”
 
Those renting or living in apartments who can’t have solar installed may be eligible to swap their current annual rebate for a suite of energy efficient upgrades, helping to reduce demand on the grid and lower power prices for everyone.
 
Appliances available in the package include energy efficient fridges, dryers, air-conditioners and hot water systems as well as upgrades such as window shading and draught sealing valued at up to $4000.
 
The solar offer has been trialled within select regions of NSW and is rolling out statewide to enable more people to save with solar.
 
The benefits aren’t just for private homeowners and tenants. The solar swap will also be offered to eligible land and housing corporation tenants later this year.
 
Eligible households include pensioners and Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders receiving the Low Income Household Rebate who can receive 10 years’ worth of rebates upfront to put towards solar or appliance upgrades.
 
Applications open Monday 1 August. Households can check their Bill Buster eligibility and apply from Monday at energysaver.nsw.gov.au/rebate-swap

Construction commences on the new Western Harbour Tunnel

Excavation on the first stage of the Western Harbour Tunnel has started, with works commencing to carve out 1.7 kilometres of mainline tunnels from Rozelle to Birchgrove. 
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads, Natalie Ward, said this was a significant milestone in the delivery of Sydney’s historic third harbour crossing.
 
“Major construction has now commenced on the Western Harbour Tunnel – one of the most significant transport infrastructure projects being delivered in Sydney,” Minister Ward said.
 
“This really is a historic moment for our city. It was 90 years ago that construction completed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and 30 years since the Sydney Harbour Tunnel opened. Today, construction is commencing on Sydney’s third harbour crossing.
 
“Once complete, this important new connection will change the way commuters move across the city, taking pressure off key transport arteries including the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor.
 
“Our government is delivering projects that make it faster, easier and safer for commuters to move around our city as part of our $110 billion infrastructure investment pipeline.”
 
The Western Harbour Tunnel will link WestConnex at the Rozelle Interchange with the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney via 6.5-kilometre tunnels under Sydney Harbour.
 
With three lanes in each direction, commuters are set to save up to 15 minutes when travelling from North Sydney to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. 
 
The John Holland CPB Joint Venture, which is undertaking the Rozelle Interchange works, are also delivering stage one of the Western Harbour Tunnel.
 
This will allow the Western Harbour Tunnel project to transition into the major construction phase, through leveraging existing skills, equipment and resources and reducing disruption to the local community.   
 
The construction contract to deliver the second stage of work of northern tunnelling from Birchgrove through Sydney Harbour and onto North Sydney will be awarded in late 2022.
 

Free hospitality skills to kickstart careers

A suite of fee-free short courses are now available for people looking to secure jobs or further their career in hospitality, as part of a new NSW Government program which aims to supercharge the sector and grow the economy.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the Kickstart Your Career in Hospitality program aims to alleviate labour shortages that are hampering the industry and provide pathways for people looking for rewarding and well-paid careers.
 
“Whether you want to be a barista or a bartender, this initiative will enable you to train for free and get the skills you need for a job in a local pub, club, café or restaurant,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“A strong hospitality sector is absolutely critical for NSW, now and into the future. This program draws on the NSW Government’s record skills budget and will help secure a brighter future for the hospitality industry and all those who depend on it.”
 
Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government is continuing to work with industry to address crippling labour shortages, but also foster career progression and retention through scalable upskilling opportunities.
 
“These fee-free courses are designed to be short and quick, but also scalable so staff take up additional training opportunities, to develop further skills over time, as they desire,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“The program has been developed in partnership with the industry, to provide job relevant training and career development at pubs, clubs and restaurants across NSW.
 
“We also want participants to realise that there is longevity in the hospitality sector. Staff are encouraged to make the most of additional training opportunities to further develop their skills, and turn a job into a long term career if they choose to.”
 
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said the initiative offers incredible opportunities for professional growth and development in the hospitality sector, particularly in clubs across the state.
 
“Someone who gets their first job in a club can go on to do amazing things. Clubs offer careers in cooking, hotel management, customer service, business operations and much more,” Mr Landis said.
 
“These aren’t just fee-free short courses, they could be your first step on a hugely successful and satisfying career journey, and we want clubs to be the catalyst for that journey.”
 
More information about eligibility criteria and enrolments is available online.

DELIVERING LABOR’S PLAN TO FIX AGED CARE

The Albanese Labor Government introduced legislation today to deliver our commitments to fix the crisis in aged care, and usher in a new funding model for residential aged care.

The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 will require a qualified registered nurse to be on site in every residential aged care home 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring older Australians living in residential aged care receive immediate care when needed.

The former Morrison Government ignored the Royal Commission’s recommendation that nursing homes should have a RN on site 24/7.

We are also delivering on our election commitment to improve transparency in the aged care system, with the Bill introducing measures to monitor the costs associated with aged care, placing greater responsibility on providers to be transparent and fair.

This will see the publication of more information about providers’ operations including what they are spending money on.

The legislation also delivers on our election commitment to stop the rorting of Home Care fees, by placing a cap on how much can be charged in administration and management fees.

This means home care users can be confident their money is going directly to care – not the bottom line of providers.

Also introduced today, the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022 contains nine measures to implement urgent reforms to the aged care system, and responds to 17 recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The Royal Commission Response Bill provides the legislative framework for the new AN-ACC funding model for residential aged care homes, which will replace the outdated Aged Care Funding Instrument in October 2022.

This framework will offer more equitable funding, better matched to providers’ costs in delivering the care residents need.

It also extends the functions of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority, which will lead to better price-setting for aged care homes.

Other measures enshrine transparency and accountability of approved providers, and improve quality of care and safety for older Australians receiving aged care services.

This includes the Star Ratings System, which will see the Department of Health and Aged Care publish a comparison rating for all residential aged care services by the end of 2022; an extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme to all in home care providers from 1 December 2022, meaning increased protection for older Australians from preventable incidents, abuse and neglect; and a new Code of Conduct for approved providers, their workforce and governing persons.

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“We are wasting no time getting on with the job with fixing the aged care system.

“The introduction of this legislation is the first step towards delivering new funding, more staff and better support to the sector, while improving transparency and accountability.

“We are using this first sitting week of the 47th Parliament to take important first steps towards fixing aged care and protecting vulnerable Australians, while addressing the challenges in our economy. “

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

“We’re delivering on our commitment to putting nurses back into nursing homes and improve transparency in aged care.

“ Every person with a loved one living in residential aged care expects, is the peace of mind in knowing aged care residents have access to clinical care from a qualified, registered nurse when they need it, 24 hours a day, every day.”

“This legislation delivers on the Government’s major reform agenda to protect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every older Australian accessing aged care services.”

The Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells said:

“This Implementing Care Reform Bill will put nurses back into nursing homes; it will put a stop to high administration and management fees for home care, which means more dollars go to care and support; and it will improve integrity and accountability for residential aged care homes.”

“We have introduced urgent legislation for a new funding model that will increase funding to aged care providers that was left languishing by the former Government because they couldn’t work with the Senate.”

“This legislation demonstrates our commitment to making public what aged care providers are spending their money on, ensuring a fair and transparent system for our older Australians and their families and carers.”

“24/7 registered nurses in residential aged care is a significant and much needed change to ensure high quality care for older Australians. This will be supported by the initiatives we have in place to grow and boost the skills of aged care nurses.”

“Publishing Star Rating for residential aged care homes will help people meaningfully compare services to make the right choice for themselves or their loved ones”