Today the NSW Police Force released a summary of its review into mental health incidents in the community, more than eleven months after it was first foreshadowed by the Police Commissioner. In a Media Release (attached) the Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Yasmine Catley and Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson both agreed Police should not be first responders to mental health crises, and that the Government would explore other options, but stopped short of committing to an alternative.
Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said, “NSW Labor continues to echo what the experts have known for years, and yet makes no commitments to make critical changes that will save lives. Something is going very wrong in the Minns Labor Government,”
“This Government is inert and asleep at the wheel when it comes to delivering health professionals as first responders to mental health incidents in the community,”
“The review that has been released today is 5 months old and identifies, in no uncertain terms, that police should not be responding to mental health incidents. Involving the Police increases the risk of adverse outcomes for people experiencing mental health issues and no amount of training for Police will change this,”
“Police are not supposed to do this work, and they don’t want to either. Yet this Government has no plan to change things. This review feels like a lead balloon, it does nothing other than talk about the problems,”
“The Government have their finger on the failing pulse of the problem, but they refuse to respond with the right remedy and urgency required. The families of people who were killed by the police deserve better, and we won’t stop until the Government understands this,”
“In the UK, they just did it. The Police there threatened to stop showing up to mental health call outs, which saw the introduction of the Right Care, Right Person model, which from all accounts is a good system. When the next Wrong Care, Wrong Person results in the wrongful death by Police, it will be squarely on the Minns Labor Government,” Ms Higginson said.
The Australian Government will provide Vietnam with $3 million for humanitarian relief, emergency supplies and other essential services in response to the devastating Typhoon Yagi.
Typhoon Yagi is the most powerful storm to hit northern Vietnam in over three decades. Ongoing heavy rainfall in the mountainous regions has led to severe flooding and landslides causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
More than 150 deaths have been reported and more than 9,500 houses and 550 health facilities damaged. Around 19 million people live in the affected provinces. Two million school children are at risk of disruption to learning.
Australia’s assistance will include services delivered through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership in concert with local organisations supporting the most affected communities and the most vulnerable.
Last night Australia delivered emergency relief supplies on a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster, including essential provisions for families such as shelter and hygiene kits.
Our contribution complements the Vietnam Government’s efforts and will be guided by local needs and priorities. Our support will focus on rapid response and early recovery for the most vulnerable, including women, children and people with disabilities, and communities in isolated rural and remote regions.
The Albanese Government will deliver historic aged care reforms to ensure the viability and quality of aged care, and support growing numbers of older Australians choosing to retain their independence and remain in their homes as they age.
Around 1.4 million Australians will benefit from a new Support at Home program by 2035, helping them remain independent, in their home and their community for longer.
$5.6 billion will be invested in a reform package which represents the greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years, and includes these major changes:
A $4.3 billion investment in Support at Home, to come into effect on 1 July 2025.
Essential changes to improve the funding, viability, and quality of residential aged care.
A no worse off principle will provide certainty to people already in aged care and they won’t make a greater contribution to their care.
The treatment of the family home won’t change.
New laws to protect older Australians in aged care, with stronger powers to investigate bad behaviour and civil penalties for breaching standards
The net impact of the changes is a $930 million spend over four years and a $12.6 billion save over the next 11 years.
The reforms respond to the recommendations of the Aged Care Taskforce, which brought together older Australians, experts and residential aged care providers and recommended that Australians make a reasonable means tested contribution to the cost of their care.
The reforms have bipartisan support.
Better support for Australians to age at home
Older Australians increasingly want the freedom, support and choice to remain in the home and community they love. In the past 10 years, the number of Australians in home care has increased fourfold.
To cater to the changing preferences of older Australians, the Albanese Government will invest $4.3 billion in a new system of home care, called Support at Home, which will come into effect on 1 July 2025, and will help Australians remain independent, in their home and their community for longer.
By 2035, Support at Home will help around 1.4 million people stay in their homes as they age.
Support at Home will provide support for:
Clinical care (e.g. nursing care, occupational therapy)
Independence (e.g. help with showering, getting dressed or taking medications)
Everyday living (e.g. cleaning, gardening, shopping or meal preparation)
The Government will pay 100 per cent of clinical care services, with individual contributions going towards independence and everyday living costs.
Classification level
Medium (budget around $22,000)
Highest (budget around $78,000)
For every $1 contributed by a…
the Government will contribute, on average…
Full pensioner
$12.70
$19.80
Part pensioner
$6.10
$8.50
Self-funded retiree and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card eligible
$1.60
$2.20
How much someone contributes will be based on the Age Pension means test and highly dependent on their personal circumstances, from the level of support they are assessed to need, to their combination of income and assets.
A lifetime contribution cap will apply across the aged care system and means no one will contribute more than $130,000 to their non-clinical care costs – whatever their means or duration of care – with every Support at Home contribution counted towards the cap.
Some of the benefits of Support at Home include:
Support for 300,000 more participants in the next 10 years.
Shorter average wait times from assessment to receive support.
More tailored support, with 8 ongoing classifications all the way up to around $78,000 a year.
Support for home modifications, with up to $15,000 to make homes safer.
Fast access to assistive technology, like walkers and wheelchairs, including a new equipment loan scheme.
Support at Home participants will also have expanded access to restorative support to get back on their feet after an illness or injury, through a 12 week program that works with a team of allied health and other professionals.
According to the Productivity Commission, up to 70 per cent of Australians would prefer to die in the comfort of their own home, but fewer than 10 per cent actually do. Support at Home participants will be eligible for up to $25,000 in additional support to spend their final 3 months at home, so they can be surrounded by loved ones in an environment they cherish, instead of rushing precious moments into hospital visiting hours.
Essential changes to improve the funding, viability, and quality of residential care
As the Aged Care Taskforce Report made clear, by 2050 the residential aged care sector will need $56 billion in capital funding to upgrade existing aged care rooms and build the additional rooms that growing numbers of older Australians will need.
In the next 40 years, the number of Australians aged over 65 is expected to more than double, with those aged over 85 to more than triple.
Current funding arrangements are not sufficient: in 2022-23, 46 per cent of providers made a loss from accommodation.
A range of reforms will help ensure residential aged care providers can attract the investment they need to keep current facilities open, improve quality, and build new facilities.
No worse off principle for Australians already in aged care
A no worse off principle will provide certainty to people already in aged care and they won’t make a greater contribution to their care.
Support at Home
When Home Care participants transition to Support at Home, from 1 July 2025, they will maintain the same level of funding and retain any unspent funds.
Everyone who, as of 12 September 2024, is receiving a Home Care Package (a package), on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package, will make the same contributions, or lower, as they would have under Home Care arrangements. They will stay on the existing contribution arrangements when they move to residential care, unless they opt to move to the new program
Residential aged care
The new contributions and accommodation arrangements will only apply to new entrants to residential aged care from 1 July 2025. Everyone in residential care on 30 June 2025 will maintain their current arrangements until they leave care.
Budget impact
Aged care is one of the biggest pressures on the Budget and, without action, spending is expected to more than double as a share of GDP over the next 40 years.
The Government currently pays 76 per cent of residential care costs and 95 per cent of home care costs.
This package improves aged care and strengthens the Budget at the same time. It is a combination of new investments and new contributions but with generous transitional arrangements.
The net impact of the changes is a $930 million spend over four years and a $12.6 billion save over the next eleven years.
As a result of the reforms, by 2034-35:
Annual growth in spending on aged care is expected to moderate. Average annual growth over the decade to 2034-35 was 5.7 per cent at Budget and will come down to 5.2 per cent.
Aged care spending as a share of GDP is projected to moderate, from 1.5 per cent of GDP to 1.4 per cent, even as the number of participants and the quality of care increase.
Government investment in aged care will continue to grow, year on year, every year, growing more sustainably over time.
Under the reforms, the Government will pay:
100 per cent of clinical care costs, regardless of individual means, and
The majority of aged care costs overall, including:
73 per cent of residential care costs and
89 per cent of Support at Home costs.
For every $1 an older Australian contributes, the Government will contribute an average of $3.30 to residential care, and $7.80 to Support at Home.
New laws to protect the rights of older Australians.
The new Aged Care Act legislation, which will enable the reforms, will soon be introduced to Parliament. It includes:
A Statement of Rights for older Australians in aged care, with a positive duty for providers to uphold those rights.
New duties to hold providers and people in positions of leadership accountable, along with a compensation pathway.
New Quality Standards to drive continuous improvement and high quality care.
Stronger regulatory powers to protect people from harm.
New whistleblower protections.
A regulator with stronger investigative powers.
A new, independent statutory Complaints Commissioner.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“At the heart of my government is a simple principle: putting the “care” back into aged care.
“Older Australians built this country, shaped our economy, did the hard yards. They embody the strength and the spirit of our nation.
“Our government is working to ensure that the aged care system that supports them is stronger now and sustainable into the future.
“Reforms like this do not happen every day. They are once-in-a-generation, and my Government is proud to deliver them, as we said we would.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers:
“This is how we Budget for better care.
“This is how we fund the care Australians need and deserve as they age.
“This is how we improve aged care and strengthen the Budget at the same time.
“These reforms are all about delivering better care for more people in a more sustainable way.
“It’s a step change in care, and a structural reform to the Budget.”
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells:
”We’ve heard the message from older Australians: they want support to stay in the homes and communities they love.
“Support at Home will help around 1.4 million older Australians do just that, with shorter wait times, more levels of support, and funding for home modifications.
“The Government will pay 100 per cent of clinical care services, with people contributing towards their support services like help with showering, gardening or meal preparation.
“Older Australians will get support to spend their final weeks at home, surrounded by loved ones in an environment they cherish, instead of rushing precious moments into hospital visiting hours.”
Public housing tenants and low-income renters and owner occupiers have reported improvements to wellbeing, comfort, climate resilience and energy costs in an evaluation report, released today, on the ACT Government’s Home Energy Support Scheme.
The ACT Government’s Home Energy Support Scheme started in March 2022, providing a range of rebates and support for lower-income tenants and homeowners on the pathway to electrification.
This program is part of the ACT Government’s commitment in 2020 to implement a 5-year $50 million program to improve energy efficiency and sustainability for community and public housing, low-income owner occupiers and the lowest energy efficiency performing rental properties.
Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction Shane Rattenbury:
“We want everyone to have a comfortable home that is affordable to heat and cool.
“Low-income households spend a relatively high amount of their income on energy and feel the brunt of rising energy prices more than most.
“It is important that we support Canberrans most in need to transition their homes, so we can make sure all Canberrans experience the benefits of the energy transition.
“We’re hearing great feedback from participants that they are saving money and feeling more comfortable in their homes and are protected from extreme temperatures.
Ada, a participant of the Home Energy Support Scheme – Community Housing Program:
“Last winter I spent most days confined to one small room of my house with a newborn, as it was simply too expensive to heat the main living areas. This winter I was able to play with my son in the living room without worrying about breaking the bank.
“My energy bills this winter are 35% of what they were last winter (from $1,100 to less than $400), and the house has been considerably warmer throughout.”
“Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn are pleased to have been recipients of energy upgrades across 13 properties housing diverse and vulnerable Canberrans, including the installation of insulation and replacing gas appliances with electric appliances.
“As a Community Housing Provider with the interests of meeting community need at the heart of everything we do, this has helped to make our homes the most comfortable environments possible; has further tailored our homes to the individual health and accessibility needs of tenants and has reduced energy costs.”
The Greens say Labor is dancing to the Opposition’s tune on aged care with reports that the Coalition is putting the brakes on a deal for a new Aged Care Act.
Greens spokesperson for Older People Senator Penny Allman Payne:
“Labor is letting the Coalition dictate terms on aged care. They caved on care minutes, they caved on criminal penalties and now they’re letting the opposition delay a long overdue reform.
“Labor is boxing at shadows. They’re so desperate to avoid Peter Dutton’s attacks that they’re letting him set the policy agenda – from the census questions debacle, to pulling the plug on promised religious discrimination reforms, and now keeping millions of older Australians waiting for a new Aged Care Act.
“This is a government that’s lost its way, and older Australians and the LGBTQI+ community are paying the price.”
The Greens are urging Treasurer Jim Chalmers to use his powers to bring down interest rates, which continue to smash mortgage holders and renters across Australia.
“High interest rates are crushing mortgage holders and renters. Jim Chalmers needs to step in now to give them relief,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“According to Jim Chalmers himself, the Reserve Bank has smashed the economy. Dr Chalmers has the power to reduce interest rates, and he must act before more damage is done.”
“Given the Coalition’s decision today, and Dr Chalmers’ comments, the Greens are ready to engage in good faith with the Treasurer.”
“We are very motivated to see Section 11 of the RBA Act and Section 36 of the Banking Act retained.”
“While the Greens are willing to work with the Treasurer, it’s crucial for the power of a democratically elected government to override decisions of the RBA to be maintained.”
“Removing democratic oversight over the RBA would be Labor’s final capitulation to the power of capital, and to the neoliberal agenda.”
“Section 11 gives the Treasurer the ability to intervene to override the Reserve Bank when necessary. Dr Chalmers should use that power now to reduce interest rates and retain it so it can be used in the future.”
“Section 36 allows the RBA to direct funds to productive areas of the economy like clean energy, rather than just the continued pumping of money into housing speculation.”
”Labor’s Future Made in Australia will involve the Government direct capital into productive parts of the economy, so the Treasurer should be comfortable with the Reserve Bank using its levers to do the same.”
The Greens have criticised the Prime Minister’s plan to ban teenagers from social media, labeling it “knee jerk politics that lacks evidence and expert support”.
They have called on the Federal Government to instead better regulate the tech giants and ban their use of predatory algorithms, data harvesting and advertising that target young people.
Greens Spokesperson for Communications and Deputy Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Greens do not support banning young people from social media because we have listened to the experts. Parents are worried about the safety of their kids, but the Government’s knee jerk policy lets the big tech giants off the hook.
“We have participated in the Government’s own Inquiry set up to examine an age limit ban in good faith. The PM on the other hand hasn’t bothered to listen to any experts and instead is following Peter Dutton’s lead once again.
“We urge the PM, stop following Dutton and his dangerous policies and be a leader in real reform that tackles the scourge of unregulated global platforms profiting off the suffering of everyone, not just our kids.
“Expert after expert is coming out today warning that a ban will not keep our young people safer or make platforms safer, and may actually cause more harm.
“Not even the e-Safety Commissioner supports a ban – the Government’s own online safety expert.
“We don’t ban kids from going to the beach – we teach them how to swim and make sure they swim between the flags. There are safety measures put in place to keep them safe – flags, lifeguards, adult supervision and swimming lessons.
“We need to teach children how to use social media and understand there are many positive benefits, particularly for marginalised kids, to being online.
“If the PM wants to make social media safer then he should get on with tackling the harmful business practices of the digital platforms.
“Social media giants should be banned from targeting our kids with algorithms and advertising, and from data harvesting, especially of private information.
“Our online spaces should be safe for everyone and they should be safe whatever age young people get online. The EU and other countries have led the way and it’s time Australia followed. This is the evidence the Inquiry has overwhelmingly heard so far and it should be listened to.
Labor and the Coalition have today voted together to block Greens’ legislation to end logging of Australia’s native forests.
The Greens’ legislation sought to repeal Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs), which have allowed logging corporations to continue destroying native forests without having to comply with federal environmental laws.
“Labor and the Coalition have turned their backs on Australia’s forests, our wildlife, and our future,” Greens forests spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“Today’s vote – which had the support of key crossbenchers Senator Pocock and Senator Payman – shows that the only thing standing in the way of ending native forest logging is the Labor Party.”
“They’re choosing to protect the interests of logging corporations over the environment and the long-term survival of threatened species like the Leadbeater’s possum and the Swift parrot.”
“The evidence is clear – native forest logging has to end if we are serious about protecting biodiversity and addressing climate change.”
“These forests are home to endangered species, and their destruction is accelerating the extinction crisis and driving climate change.”
“The fact that Labor and the Coalition can continue supporting these destructive exemptions is indefensible, reckless, and completely out of touch with community expectations.”
“The Greens won’t stop fighting until native forest logging is history.”
“Nature is under unprecedented attack around the world, and there is simply no excuse to continue logging precious native forests while the climate is breaking down and ecosystems are crumbling.”
“We’re standing up for Australia’s forests and the species that rely on them, and we’ll keep building pressure to ensure these crucial ecosystems are protected for future generations.”
The Albanese Labor Government will introduce legislation this year to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms.
A Commonwealth-led approach to this important social issue will ensure Australian children are better protected from online harms and parents and carers are supported.
Federal legislation will be informed by engagement with States and Territories through National Cabinet and draw upon recent work by former Chief Justice, Robert French.
It also builds upon the Albanese Government’s work to address online harms for young people. In particular, the $6.5 million age assurance trial which is testing different implementation approaches to help inform policy design.
the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese
“We know social media is causing social harm, and it is taking kids away from real friends and real experiences.
“Australian young people deserve better and I stand with them and with all Australian parents in protecting our kids.
“The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount.
“We’re supporting parents and keeping kids safe by taking this action, because enough is enough.”
the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland
“As a mother of young daughters, and Minister for Communications, I fully understand concerns around harmful online environments and addictive social media behaviour of children.
“Parents want real solutions and we are taking decisive action to identify and implement these very solutions to help ensure young people can use the internet in a safe and positive way that supports their learning and their lives.
“We are also holding big tech to account because platforms and online services have a key responsibility for the safety of their users.
“We will continue to engage experts, young people, advocates and parents through the age assurance trial which is an important aspect of this journey.”
Today the ACT Government has released a report showing that changes to energy efficiency standards made in April last year have improved living conditions for many renters in Canberra.
Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction Shane Rattenbury said the report is an endorsement of the work being undertaken to make Canberra a fairer place to live for renters.
“Everyone should have access to a safe and affordable home. In a wealthy place like Canberra, nobody should have to live in a home that boils in summer and freezes in winter,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“Last year, we introduced new standards for ceiling insulation so that people who rent their homes are protected from the hot summers and cold winters we can often experience here in Canberra.
“In a cost of living crisis, better insulation standards do more than just keep our homes comfortable, they actually reduce energy bills and help Canberrans use less energy when powering their home.
“Since the new standard was introduced, our monitoring of the program has shown that there has been no impact from the improved standards on rental prices or the number of homes in the market.
“Contrary to the rhetoric of many conservative commentators, our evidence shows that improving rental insulation standards does not lead to landlords taking homes off the market and prices rising. These reforms are making life better for renters.
“In fact, over the past year and a half we have seen landlords getting behind the new standards. There has been strong compliance with disclosure obligations and an increase in ceiling insulation upgrades across the ACT more broadly.
“As a result of this increased demand for ceiling insulation, we are also seeing more certified ceiling insulation installers across Canberra, which is improving competition in the market and reducing overall cost for insulation upgrades.
“I’m thrilled to see the results of this fantastic progressive reform to support young people and renters in Canberra, and I look forward to doing even more work into the future to make Canberra a better and fairer place to live in as a renter.“
The ACT Government offers support to rental property owners through the Sustainable Household Scheme. Eligible property owners can access zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 to upgrade the insulation or install efficient electric appliances in their rental property.
Renters can also maximise their home’s energy efficiency through the free Renters Home Energy Program. As part of this service an expert assessor can either come to your home or call you, and provide tailored draught-proofing and energy saving solutions that are suitable for renters.
Read the monitoring and evaluation report on the first year of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard on the Everyday Climate Choices website.
