Category: Australian News

The latest figures put beyond any that doubt who calls the shots of Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party.
Political donation data released by the Electoral Commission shows that in 2019-20, unions provided almost $5 million to Labor.
“At a time when Australians most need cooperation rather than partisan politics, not even a global pandemic has slowed down or caused any rethink at all to the massive amounts of money the union movement has funnelled to its mates in the Labor Party,” Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Christian Porter, said.
“Surely that money would have been better spent with a focus on the real and immediate needs of workers during the last year.
“At a time when union members are most in need of practical assistance, the unions still seem to be focused on business as usual – transmitting of huge amounts of membership fees to Labor politicians. That there are better ways to spend money for workers benefit during a pandemic is evidenced by the fact that at the same time millions in membership fees goes direct to Labor and political campaigning, the ACTU continues to ask government for funding to support awareness campaigns for workers. How does that work?
“The CFMMEU is one of Labor’s biggest source of funds, providing $568,000 to Labor.
“This is the union that has had fines of more than $19 million dollars by courts for breaking industrial laws.
“Whilst Anthony Albanese seeks to make a virtue of publicly rebuking the CFMMEU’s John Setka, he’s happy to keep taking the cash from a union that the Federal Court has labelled the most recidivist corporate offender in Australia’s history and is still pledging to scrap the regulator which is keeping the militant union in check.
“Labor’s hypocrisy on these issues is stark. It says one thing when publicly under pressure over the CFMMEU’s bullying, intimidation and coercive tactics on building sites, but is still happy to accept the union’s cash and do its bidding on IR policy.
“In the previous year, 2018-19, the CFMMEU put almost $2 million into Labor’s coffers at the same time it was securing the vote of every Labor MP and Senator against a Bill designed to end the CFMMEU’s stranglehold on the construction industry.
“In addition to the $5 million pumped into Labor coffers from unions, the union movement spent almost $2.5 million on its own campaigns against the Government in support of Labor. And just in the last 24 hours we have see even more union funds in support of Labor in a campaign using some of the most disgraceful and insensitive, violent imagery ever seen used in an Australian political campaign.
“It’s time for Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party to stand up to the CFMMEU and reject the union’s cash. That’s would be a real show of leadership”.

Data released today reveals the true impact the Coronavirus pandemic had on life-saving organ donation and transplantation rates in 2020, prompting calls for more people to register as a donor.
National organ donation and transplant data for 2020, released by federal Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority, Mark Coulton, shows while Australia’s donation rate has doubled over the past decade, the national program took a hit in 2020 due to COVID-19.
“Australians from all walks of life faced great challenges and adversity in 2020 and those waiting for life-changing organ transplants were no different,” Minister Coulton said.
“Last year saw a 12 per cent reduction in the number of people receiving a transplant and a 16 per cent decrease in organ donors, compared to 2019.
“Most significantly, 18 per cent fewer kidney transplants were performed, resulting in 153 fewer renal patients receiving the kidney transplant they need.”
Minister Coulton said the 2020 data exceeds earlier predictions, which serves as a testament to the highly-skilled DonateLife teams, as well as dedicated donation and transplantation staff across the country.
Organ and Tissue Authority CEO, Lucinda Barry, said at the start of the pandemic, the transplant sector took precautionary steps and suspended kidney transplant programs from late-March through to mid-May.
This was due to the concern about hospitals being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and also to prevent transplant patients at high risk being exposed to the virus. Urgent heart, lung, liver and paediatric transplants continued during this time for critically ill patients.
“It’s not surprising to see that the 2020 outcomes have been impacted, but minimising the risks to transplant and waiting list patients has been the priority for everyone involved,” Ms Barry said.
“To minimise the impacts, our DonateLife teams worked hard with transplant teams to navigate the challenges facing hospitals and with logistics — including with COVID-19 restrictions, flight reductions and border closures — so that patients received the best possible outcomes.”
Minister Coulton said despite the obvious impacts, 1,270 Australian lives were saved in 2020 through an organ transplant thanks to the generosity of 463 deceased organ donors and their families.
“Families have continued to show their strength and generosity in agreeing to donation, even with the added COVID-19 complexities in intensive care units,” Minister Coulton said.
“Around 1,650 Australians are waitlisted for a transplant and more than 12,000 others are on dialysis — many of whom may need a kidney transplant.
“The best chance we have to address the challenge of a longer waitlist is to have more Australians say ‘yes’ to donation.”
Minister Coulton said data shows that registering to become a donor and talking to your family about your decision has a direct influence on consent rates, so encouraged people to have the chat and register today.
To register to become a donor or to double-check your registration, visit: donatelife.gov.au .
Living organ donation and eye and tissue donation outcomes will soon be released in the Organ and Tissue Authority’s 2020 Activity Report.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth continue to closely monitor the situation in New Zealand. The Commonwealth and AHPPC are receiving daily briefings on the matter.
Based on updated information from New Zealand today, Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd has recommended the Commonwealth not extend the pause in safe travel zone flights from New Zealand beyond 2pm, 31 January 2021. The Commonwealth has accepted this advice, meaning green zone flights will commence this afternoon.
In making this recommendation, the Acting CMO noted there have been no further confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community in New Zealand since the initial three cases originated from transmission within hotel quarantine. The Acting CMO also noted all close contacts of the three New Zealand cases have returned negative test results, and there have been no further cases found to date in the casual contacts, previous residents of the hotel or hotel staff.
The Acting CMO notes flights from New Zealand are sufficiently low risk given New Zealand’s strong public health response to COVID-19. Given there is still a small risk of further associated cases being detected in New Zealand, with an abundance of caution, the Acting CMO has recommended pre and post flight screening be implemented for the safe travel zone flights for the next ten days. The screening will check that travellers have not been identified as close contacts, or have not visited any of the contact tracing areas of interest in New Zealand, and if they have, that they have been tested and have received the negative test results required by the New Zealand authorities.
Currently, to be eligible to fly on a safe travel zone flight, passengers must have been in New Zealand for the previous 14 days. The Acting CMO recommends that time spent in hotel quarantine does not form part of the required 14 days in New Zealand.
The AHPPC will continue to monitor the situation in New Zealand very closely, and will receive daily reports from the New Zealand health authorities on the results of the continuing contact tracing related to this outbreak.

Australian adults living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will soon have more affordable access to a life-changing treatment option, thanks to its expanded listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
On 1 February, the Government is expanding the listing of Vyvanse® (lisdexamfetamine) to include patients who are diagnosed with ADHD after they turn 18 years old.
The PBS listing extension means Vyvanse® is now subsidised for Australians diagnosed as adults, rather than as children.
Around 20,000 patients accessed a comparable treatment for this condition and could benefit from this new treatment option. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $1,200 per year for treatment. They will now pay $41.30 per script, or $6.60 with a concession card.
ADHD can look different in adults, with some symptoms overlooked. This medicine may help to increase a patient’s ability to pay attention, stay focused, and stop fidgeting.
Some studies suggest that up to three per cent of Australian adults have ADHD.
The Australian Government continues to make important medicines available to Australians at affordable prices.
This listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,550 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $12.4 billion.
The Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

Australians with a rare, fatal heart condition will soon have subsidised access to a ground-breaking medicine for the first time, thanks to its new listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
From 1 February, Uptravi® (selexipag) will be PBS listed for the first time to treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), for use in combination with existing PAH therapies.
It is estimated over 700 Australians could access Uptravi® for PAH through the PBS each year. Without subsidy, patients might pay more than $41,000 per year to access this medicine.
As a result of this listing, patients will now only pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 for concessional patients.
This listing can provide some patients with improvement in daily activities and quality of life, as well as delaying the need for injectable treatments and reducing the risks associated with IV infusions.
PAH is caused by narrowing or blockage of the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. The heart needs to pump against this higher pressure to keep blood flowing through the lungs, making it work harder which can eventually cause heart failure.
PAH is a complex disease and can advance quickly if left untreated. Uptravi® can delay the progression of PAH for some patients.
The Australian Government continues to make important medicines available to Australians at affordable prices.
Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,550 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $12.4 billion.
The Government’s commitment to ensuring that Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

Pharmacies in Dubbo will for the first time receive $3,000 per year from the Federal Government’s Regional Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA) program.
Federal Regional Health Minister and Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said changes to the Coalition’s RPMA program will help maintain access to medicines and pharmacy services in Dubbo.
“Community pharmacies, like Orana Mall Pharmacy, play a vital role delivering medicines and essential health services for the third of Australians who live in regional, rural and remote areas,” Minister Coulton said.
“They continue to do a tremendous job supporting the health and wellbeing of regional patients and this is certainly evident during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Government recognises the importance of maintaining the pharmacy network to provide a steady and reliable supply of medicines and other pharmacy services, in particular to people in the regions.”
Minister Coulton said the changes are a key outcome of the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) signed with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in June 2020.
Co-owner of Orana Mall Pharmacy in Dubbo and an elected official of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Simon Blacker, said the RPMA was a vital support in helping community pharmacies meet the needs of patients in regional, rural and remote areas.
“Under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement signed last year, the substantial increase in funding under this important program has resulted in 400 more pharmacies across regional, rural and remote Australia now being eligible for support,” Mr Blacker said.
“This means they can provide more services to patients in these areas, which at times have been may have been left at a disadvantage compared with urban pharmacies.”
Mr Blacker said the new arrangement brought regional pharmacy classifications in line with the same rurality model used for GPs.
“Overall, this provides a fairer and more equitable outcome for pharmacies and patients in regional, rural and remote Australia, with the potential for further opportunities into the future which would improve health outcomes in these local communities,” Mr Blacker said.
Minister Coulton said the Coalition Government boosted its investment in the RPMA program from $16 million per year to $21 million per year under the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement. Across regional Australia the RPMA program will support more than 1,200 pharmacies, which includes 400 new eligible pharmacies to participate in the program.

An alarming new report showing a drastic decline in shark and ray populations is yet another reason shark nets and lethal drum lines must be removed from Australia’s beaches and oceans.
Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Whish-Wilson, said action was needed urgently.
“Fixed-drum lines and mesh-nets are designed to entangle and kill sharks but are also indiscriminate killers and weapons of mass destruction to protected marine life.
“There is no evidence that nets and drum lines make ocean-goers safe. They are merely designed to provide a sense of security.
“Australia is the only country in the world to utilise these lethal and unjustified measures, making us an international embarrassment.
“Failure from the Federal Government to take action to reverse the decline in shark and ray populations in light of such a damning new report would be inexcusable.
“The Greens have been campaigning for over a decade to replace and transition away from lethal shark nets with measures that both help protect human life and marine life.
“The issue of shark mitigation needs to be a federally coordinated approach that advocates for evidence-based programs and consistency across states.
“As a start The Greens urge the Federal Government to end exemptions granted to state governments that allow them to conduct trials of lethal shark control measures.
Senator Whish-Wilson chaired the 2017 Senate inquiry into shark mitigation and deterrent measures that recommended NSW and Queensland phase out shark nets, immediately replace lethal drum lines with SMART drum lines and increase funding and support for the development and implementation of non-lethal mitigation measures.
“The Greens have a plan to manage the risk of shark encounters and strike the right balance, in both public debate and policy, between the role of government and personal responsibility.
“The Greens would seek to end federal government exemptions for lethal shark mitigation measures and use the COAG Meeting of Environment Ministers to push for state governments to end lethal measures that are within their jurisdictions.
“The Greens would also put $50 million over ten years towards research and development of non-lethal shark mitigation measures including establishing a national sharks working group.”

The Greens are calling on the Morrison Government to implement stronger environment laws before we lose our precious nature and wildlife for good, after the release today of a scathing major review.
Responding to the release of the final report from the once-in-ten-year review of Australia’s environment laws led by Professor Graeme Samuel, Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Samuel Report sounds the alarm that Australia’s environment is under unprecedented stress. Without urgent action and a full reform package we risk losing our native wildlife and iconic natural places for good.
“After sitting on the report for 90 days, the Morrison Government needs to respond with a genuine commitment to a full reform package that makes our environmental laws stronger, with an independent watchdog to hold corporations and governments to account.
“We need environment laws that are fit for protecting nature in the face of climate change.
“There is one path forward for the Morrison Government and that is to accept the warnings in the Samuel Report of the dire straights our environment is in and commit to action.
“Our environment laws are too weak and are failing to do the job of protecting our environment.
“Professor Samuel says at the outset of his report that ‘The EPBC Act is out dated and requires fundamental reform’. He warns that ‘Governments should avoid the temptation to cherry pick from a highly interconnected suite of recommendations’.
“What is needed is stronger laws and an independent cop on the beat to enforce them. Anything less and there will be more dead koalas, our forests and bushland will be destroyed and our oceans polluted.
“The Government must scrap its Tony Abbott reforms of 2014 and implement a full reform agenda informed by the advice of their own expert.
“The rest of the world is working out how to save the planet – Australia needs to join them with urgent action.
“As Professor Samuel said ‘To shy away from the fundamental reforms recommended by this Review is to accept the continued decline of our iconic places and the extinction of our most threatened plants, animals and ecosystems’.”

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) discussed the COIVD-19 situation in New Zealand and the current 72 hour travel pause on green safe travel zone flights from New Zealand to Australia at its meeting on 28 January 2021. The AHPPC was joined by representatives from the New Zealand Government including the New Zealand Chief Medical Officer.
The AHPPC has been advised that all three confirmed COVID-19 cases in the community in New Zealand have been genomically linked to an international traveller in hotel quarantine in Auckland.
The AHPPC was also advised that all close contacts of the first New Zealand case have returned negative test results, and that five of the 11 close contacts of the subsequent two cases have also returned negative results, with the remainder awaiting their results.
Based on updated information from New Zealand, including that there have been two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community in New Zealand since the initial case, and involving the variant of concern B.1.351, the AHPPC has recommended to the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer (CMO) that the Commonwealth extend the pause in safe travel zone flights from New Zealand to Australia.
The AHPPC recommendation is to extend for a further three days, to 2pm on Sunday January 31.
The Federal Government has accepted the recommendation of the AHPPC and Acting CMO to extend the pause for a further three days.
The B.1.351 variant of concern has been shown to have higher transmissibility and so presents a heightened level of risk.  It has spread to 26 countries, including in people who have arrived in Australia who are in mandatory hotel quarantine.
It is estimated to be 50% more transmissible based on the available evidence. This extension of the pause for a further 72 hours affords continued protection of Australians while the extent of the situation in New Zealand is clarified.
Quarantine arrangements are a matter for each state and territory government. As a result, any recent arrivals from New Zealand during paused green safe travel zone flights from New Zealand to Australia will be advised on any changes to their quarantine arrangements by the relevant jurisdiction.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the December quarter Consumer Price Index data released today by the ABS has revealed “out-of-pocket [childcare] expenses have now returned to pre-COVID levels in all capital cities.”
Senator Faruqi said:
“These latest numbers put us back to where we were before Covid-19 – with one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world.
“The new Minister, Alan Tudge, has an opportunity here to set a different course when it comes to early learning. We urgently need new investment to fully subsidise childcare and make it truly universal.
“Early learning costs in Australia are out of control. High fees make our society less equal, and limit choices for women, who have to give up study, career and work opportunities.
“Last year, the government briefly flirted with providing fee-free childcare for all. There is no reason we can’t have this again. This is a choice the government has to make: will it allow business-as-usual when we know free childcare is possible?”