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The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles today celebrated the official opening of their new $32.5 million Northern Grandstand and Centre of Excellence and at Brookvale Oval.
 
The grandstand, named after Manly’s greatest ever player and rugby league Immortal, Bob Fulton and Centre of Excellence was officially opened at half time in the Sea Eagles first home NRL game of the 2022 season against the Bulldogs by the Fulton family.
 
The NSW Government contributed $20 million towards the project through its Centres of Excellence Programs.
 
The Centre of Excellence provides an integrated world-class high-performance training, administration and community facility for the identification, development and fostering of rugby league talent on the northern beaches.
 
Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the opening of the Bob Fulton Grandstand and Centre of Excellence brings one of the most iconic grounds in rugby league into the 21st century.
 
“When rugby league is strong on the northern beaches, the game is strong,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“This new world-class high-performance facility will be the envy of sporting administrations around the world and ensure the Sea Eagles continue to challenge for NRL premierships.
 
“It’s fantastic to be able to officially open it during the Sea Eagles first NRL home game of the season with some of the most important people in the club’s history.”
 
Member for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard said the Sea Eagles Centre of Excellence would provide benefits across the entire community.
 
“As a lifelong Sea Eagles supporter, it is fantastic to finally have 21st Century facilities for our home games at 4 Pines Park,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“And as a local MP and uncle of youngsters who love playing some of their biggest games at Brookie, I am delighted locals will also be able to share in the ever improving facilities.”
 
Member for Manly James Griffin said the opening of the Bob Fulton Grandstand and Centre of Excellence was fantastic news for everyone who loves rugby league on the Peninsula.
 
“The completion of the Sea Eagles Centre of Excellence means local juniors can now to be part of an elite program here on the northern beaches,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“No longer will they need to travel to fulfil their NRL dreams, with everything they need to make it to the top at their fingertips.”
 
Manly Sea Eagles Chairman Scott Penn said the Club is extremely grateful to both the NSW and Federal Governments for their financial contribution to the Centre of Excellence and the Bob Fulton Stand project.
 
“We have worked extremely well together in delivering state of the art facilities, an elite training and playing field, and a magnificent grandstand providing great comfort and amenities for the community of northern Sydney to enjoy for many years to come,’’ Mr Penn said.
The NSW Government has contributed more than $110 million towards eight Centres of Excellence projects under the NRL Centres of Excellence Program and 2018 NSW Government Centres of Excellence Program.
 
All Centres of Excellence include dedicated female programs and facilities to improve pathways for women and girls in line with the NSW Government’s women in sport strategy, Her Sport Her Way.
 
Each Centre of Excellence also includes multi-purpose facilities, enabling sporting organisations to expand community programs and better engage with their communities.

Huge economic growth and jobs activity are taking off at the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, where milestone work has now started on the 3.7 kilometre international runway.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new airport was already having a major impact on the region, and there was plenty more job creation and economic benefits to come.

“Our Government is delivering record investment in infrastructure in Western Sydney and Australia, creating much-needed jobs, new investment and economic growth,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is only because of the actions of our Government that the Western Sydney Airport is being built.

“After six years of inaction by Anthony Albanese, Labor’s Federal Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, it took our Coalition Government to get Western Sydney Airport off the ground, proving once again that is our Government that has the proven track record of getting things done.

“This project will change Western Sydney for generations to come, opening up new careers and opportunities well into the future with around 11,000 jobs expected to be supported over the course of construction of the airport, and tens of thousands more to be created once it opens in late 2026.

“Our Government is backing this project and the people of Western Sydney, as part of our plan for a stronger future for Australia.”

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the $5.3 billion Commonwealth-funded airport was rapidly taking shape, with the entire project now 30 per cent complete.

“A significant amount of work has already been undertaken on this once-in-a-generation project, with more than 23 million cubic metres of earth having been moved, with construction now ready to commence on the 3.7 kilometre runway,” Minister Fletcher said.

“Once complete, this state-of-the-art airport will be capable of receiving the world’s largest passenger aircraft, positioning Western Sydney as an international gateway and providing a significant economic boost to the region.”

Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said the runway will be an impressive construction and technological feat that will put Western Sydney Airport on the map.

“Around 3,000 LED aeronautical ground lights will be used to line the runways and taxiways, as well as 90 kilometres of power and fibre optic cabling to power it,” Minister Birmingham said.

“The rapid-exit taxiways will ensure WSA runs efficiently while allowing more traffic through the airport and giving travellers more peace of mind when heading off to their destination or returning home.

“More than 40 kilometres of airside roads will also be constructed, allowing multiple access points and manoeuvrability around the runway.

“The Morrison Government is getting on with delivering this once-in-a-generation project for Australians, which is set to unlock 28,000 direct and indirect jobs and billions in economic activity.”

Liberal Senator for Western Sydney Marise Payne said more than 40 kilometres of airside roads will also be constructed, allowing multiple access points and manoeuvrability around the runway.

“The runways will be able to handle a full spectrum of aircraft models, including international, domestic and freight services,” Senator Payne said.

Federal Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh said the new airport will have the capacity to handle up to 10 million passengers a year when it opens in 2026, unlocking Western Sydney to the nation and the world.

“This will deliver phenomenal benefits for Western Sydney, bringing in new foot traffic for business and tourism that will secure the region’s place as an economic powerhouse,” Mrs McIntosh said.

“That’s why the Morrison Government is committed to the delivery of this critical new airport and is providing $9 billion for the vital rail and road links that will further transform the region.”

The latest State of Electric Vehicles report notes demand for EVs in Australia is now drastically outstripping supply due to Australia still being perceived by global carmakers as an unattractive market.

While consumer demand for EVs is surging, many Australians who want to purchase an electric car are being told they may have to wait many months, or even years.

Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari said the federal government’s refusal to move on fuel efficiency standards was a key driver of the supply restriction.

“Because the Morrison Government’s refuses to introduce the same fuel efficiency standards they have in the US and the UK Australians are being denied access to the electric cars they now desperately want — especially at the more affordable end of the market,” Mr Jafari said.

“Carmakers look at Australia and see strong demand, which is encouraging. But they also realise that every time they sell an EV in America or Europe that will count toward meeting the fuel efficiency standards of those jurisdictions. So naturally they prefer to sell EVs there, instead of here.

“Through a toxic combination of inertia, myopia, and dogma the Morrison Government has created a situation where thousands of Australians can’t get access to the car they want to buy.

“All over the world governments are recognising that most consumers want an electric option when they consider their next vehicle and they’re doing what they can to make that option viable. Australia remains a real outlier.

“It has been encouraging lately to see several state and territory governments introduce positive demand policies to incentivise the purchase of electric vehicles for consumers. But until the federal government comes to party consumer choice will continue to be throttled.

“If Australia continues to be one of the only developed nations without fuel efficiency standards then we will continue to be a dumping ground for the world’s dirtiest vehicles.”

A trailblazer of sports media and a champion triathlete-turned-high-performance director have been appointed new members of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Board.

Dixie Marshall from Western Australia and Craig Redman from Tasmania will join the board for three years, from 28 March 2022.

The ASC is the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport, both at the community and elite levels. It comprises Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport.

The new Commissioners were appointed by the Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck.

“These new members will each bring a range of hugely valuable skills and experience to help the Sports Commission to achieve its mission,” Minister Colbeck said.

“That is, to make Australia stronger through sport and to build sustainable winning systems for Australian athletes.

“I am delighted that Ms Marshall and Mr Redman will be joining the board as Australia heads into a very exciting ‘green and gold decade’ leading up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.”

Ms Marshall was one of Australia’s first female football commentators and first woman to co-host a national sports program, before moving into journalism, senior newsreader roles and strategic communications.

She is currently managing director of Marketforce, Western Australia’s oldest advertising agency, and a commissioner of WA Football Commission, which governs AFL in the state.

Ms Marshall brings a wealth of experience in advertising, sport and communications across a range of media platforms.

Craig Redman is a high-performance sport professional with strong expertise in talent development and leading national pathway frameworks.

He received the 2020 Triathlon Australia Hall of Fame “Legend of the Sport Award” and was National Manager, High Performance Pathways at Triathlon Australia for 10 years.

Mr Redman also held high performance roles with World Triathlon and the Australian Paratriathlon team at the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games.

His broad skill set includes event director, technical official, administrator and board director at club, state, national and international level.

The two new Commissioners will bring the ASC Board to ten members.

“Strong governance and a continued collaborative approach will support the ASC’s important role in the Australian sport sector,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Through its leadership, services and programs the ASC will get more Australians active and engaged in sport, support our sport workforce which includes 3.1 million volunteers, and together with the sport sector bring through the next generation of athletes and coaches.”

Australians with cystic fibrosis will soon have access to a new treatment following the listing of Trikafta® on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

From April 1, Trikafta® (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor) will be available on the PBS for the first time for Australians with cystic fibrosis aged 12 years and older, who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. F508del is the most common mutation.

In Australia, one in 2,500 babies are born with cystic fibrosis and there is currently no cure. 

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections. The condition is caused by genetic defects that limit the flow of chloride and water through cell membranes, resulting in a thick, sticky build-up of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs and over time limits the ability to breathe and makes it easier for germs to grow.
Trikafta® works by improving the flow of chloride and water in patients who have a certain genetic defect and helps improve lung function and breathing. 

The median life expectancy for Australians with cystic fibrosis is 47 years. Tragically, this is significantly lower than the average Australian.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the listing of Trikafta® would be life changing for many Australians with cystic fibrosis and their families.

“Without PBS subsidy, around 1,900 Australians would pay more than $250,000 a year for access to Trikafta®,” Minister Hunt said. 

“This treatment is out of reach for most Australians, and now that it will be available on the PBS, patients will only pay a maximum of $42.50 per script, or as little as $6.80 with a concession card.

“I am so proud that one of the final treatments listed on the PBS under my watch as Minister for Health is Trikafta®. This listing will make access to treatment within reach for thousands of Australians with CF each year.” 

Since 2013, the Coalition Government has approved more than 2,800 new and amended listings on the PBS. This is at an overall investment by Government of $15 billion.

The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid. 

This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

More than $38 million will be invested into mental health and suicide prevention support and services across the Australian Capital Territory over the next five years, following the signing of a landmark bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and ACT governments.

The Commonwealth will invest $25.2 million, and the ACT will invest $12.9 million to expand mental health care services to where they are needed the most.

New mental health services, particularly for people in the group known as the “missing middle”, and suicide prevention services, will be established.

The funding includes:

• $8.3 million to continue Head to Health adult mental health services across the ACT to address gaps in the mental health system, providing more integrated, seamless care for adults and older Australians. This will continue funding for the existing Head to Health service that opened in October 2021.
• $9 million to enhance child (and family) mental health initiatives to improve access to multidisciplinary team care to children, in line with the National Head to Health Kids Hub model. These enhancements will support more than 2,500 children and their families each year.
• $9.5 million to enhance the existing headspace centre to increase access to multidisciplinary youth mental health services in the ACT, and to establish a multidisciplinary early intervention service to support young people at risk of developing mental health concerns.
• $6 million to establish universal aftercare services in the ACT to support people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.
• $2.8 million to improve perinatal mental health screening and enhance the capture and reporting of nationally consistent perinatal mental health data.
• $1.9 million to deliver a community based early intervention service for eating disorders to promote help seeking behaviour and early intervention treatment for people in the early stages of developing an eating disorder and those with an eating disorder of low to moderate severity.

The ACT will also adopt and implement the Initial Assessment and Referral Tool in some settings to support consistent assessment and referral integration and establish an intake and assessment phone service to provide integration between Territory-funded mental health services.

In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and ACT governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system, through greater data sharing and evaluation of services, closer integration of referral pathways, and working together on the regional planning and commissioning of services. The bilateral agreement will also build and support the mental health and suicide prevention workforce, including the peer workforce.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the agreement will ensure people in the ACT will have access to additional mental health support, when and where they need it.

“This landmark agreement will be of immense benefit to everyone in the ACT and will support our ongoing national recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Hunt said.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said agreement will mean more Canberrans can access mental health support.

“This is an important investment into the ACT’s mental health support services. The ACT particularly welcomes the additional investment in early intervention and prevention as a part of the nation’s approach to addressing mental illness,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

ACT Minister for Mental Health, Emma Davidson, said the agreement will keep more Canberrans healthy, well and connected to services in their community.

“Canberrans should be able to access quality care and support for their mental health needs so they can stay well in the community. However, the reality is that many more people in our community are feeling distressed or anxious following the challenges of the pandemic and natural disasters caused by climate change,” Minister Davidson said.

“The agreement between the ACT and Australian Government will see more early intervention and prevention mental health services across Canberra so more people can stay well in our community.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the bilateral agreement will contribute to the landmark reform of the Australian mental health and suicide prevention system and will ensure Canberrans and those within the surrounding regions have access to additional mental health support.

“This partnership between the Commonwealth and ACT will have a significant impact on many thousands of peoples’ lives and it will also save lives,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“This is particularly true for aftercare services – we know the risk of suicide is greatest in the days and weeks following discharge from hospital due to a previous suicide attempt, yet not everyone in this group receives appropriate follow up support.

“These people are amongst our most vulnerable, and through this agreement we are committing to do everything we can to support them.”

The bilateral agreement with the ACT will form part of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, which is now in effect.

The National Agreement considers key mental health reports and inquiries including recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Mental Health and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s Final Advice. It outlines actions to build a comprehensive, coordinated, consumer focused and compassionate mental health and suicide prevention system to support all Australians. 

The National Agreement will clarify roles and responsibilities; progress improvements in the mental health services available to adults, children and youth; improve data collection, sharing and evaluation; reduce gaps in the system of care; expand and enhance the workforce, including the peer workforce; and work to improve mental health and suicide prevention for all Australians, across a range of settings.

The Government continues to make mental health a national priority, investing a record $6.5 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021-22, doubling since 2012-13.

This includes $2.3 billion in the 2021-22 Budget for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform of the mental health system.

Australians who need support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au 

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 467or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

The Morrison Government is backing Australia’s future tradies, plumbers, tilers and chefs with a $365.3 million investment that will support an extra 35,000 apprentices and trainees get into a job.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the extension of the successful Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidies would build on the record number of Australians currently in trades training.

“By backing 385,000 apprentices in their training we’re boosting the pipeline of workers Australia is going to need for a stronger economy and a stronger future,” the Prime Minister said.

“These programs deliver certainty for business so they can go and hire another apprentice chef, another apprentice hairdresser, another apprentice plumber. It is about getting Australians skilled and into jobs right now.

“I’ve met trade apprentices across the country supported by these programs and we want to help even more Australians take advantage of the skills and jobs that come with learning a trade.

“Trades training shores up our skills pipeline, gets people into work, drives down unemployment and gives businesses the confidence to keep on hiring.

“Learning a trade doesn’t just give you skills for a job, it gives you the skills and opportunities for your future. Out of a group of students studying trades I met just last week, more than half told me they were planning to one day open their own businesses and they know they can do that because they’re learning skills that people need.

“Right now, there are more than 350,000 apprentices and trainees in-training and a record 220,000 of these are trade apprentices, and these investments are about making those numbers go even higher.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this continued strong support for the skills sector would help lock in Australia’s economic recovery by delivering opportunities for apprentices and certainty for businesses.

“The 2022-23 Budget will outline the Government’s long term economic plan to create more jobs,” the Treasurer said.

“Through the Government’s plan to skill young Australians, there are 120,000 more young Australians in work compared to under the previous Labor government.”

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said the Morrison Government was investing record funding in the skills sector, $7.8 billion this financial year alone, which is helping secure the futures of tens of thousands of skilled workers.

“The Morrison Government’s record investment in skills and training is seeing hundreds of thousands of Australians – including a record number of women trade apprentices – getting skilled and taking up jobs,” Minister Robert said.

“Our investment in Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements has seen almost 75,000 women supported to get skilled since it was launched 18 months ago.

“Australia can’t afford to lose the momentum we have created on skills. Australians know the Morrison Government stands for getting more Australians skilled and into jobs, while at the same time Labor are proposing to cut skills funding and have no plan for apprenticeships.”

Enrolments for the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement wage subsidy, which provides employers with 12 months of wage subsidy support, are being extended to the end of the 2021-22 financial year (30 June 2022).

Any business that receives the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement (BAC) wage subsidy will also then be eligible for extended support through the Completing Apprenticeship Commencements (CAC) wage subsidy for the second and third year of a Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement-supported apprenticeship.

As of 24 March 2022, over 73,000 businesses have been supported to put on an apprentice or trainee through Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements subsidy.

Any employer who takes on an apprentice or trainee up until 30 June 2022 can gain access to:

• 50 per cent of the eligible Australian Apprentice’s wages in the first year, capped at a maximum payment value of $7,000 per quarter per Australian Apprentice,
• 10 per cent of the eligible Australian Apprentice’s wages in the second year, capped at a maximum payment value of $1,500 per quarter per Australian Apprentice, and
• 5 per cent of the eligible Australian Apprentice’s wages in the third year, capped at a maximum payment value of $750 per quarter per Australian Apprentice.