Category: Australian News

The Commonwealth Government has today released the second stage of its economic plan to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus and help build a bridge to recovery.
A total of $189 billion is being injected into the economy by all arms of Government in order to keep Australians in work and businesses in business.
This includes $17.6 billion for the Government’s first economic stimulus package, $90 billion from the RBA and $15 billion from the Government to deliver easier access to finance, and $66.1 billion in today’s economic support package.
Our economic support package includes:

• Support for households including casuals, sole-traders, retirees and those on income support
• Assistance for businesses to keep people in a job
• Regulatory protection and financial support for businesses to stay in business

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was acting to cushion the blow from the coronavirus for businesses and households to help them get through to the other side of the crisis.
“We want to help businesses keep going as best they can and for as long as they can, or to pause instead of winding up their business. We want to ensure that when this crisis has passed Australian businesses can bounce back,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our focus is on cushioning the blow and providing hope to every Australian that we will get through this and come out the other side together.  “We know this will be temporary.
That’s why all our actions are geared towards building a bridge, keeping more people in work, enhancing the safety net for those that aren’t and keeping businesses alive so they can get to the other side and stand up their workforce as quickly as possible.
“We know Australia’s more than 3 million small and medium businesses are the engine room of our economy. When they hurt, we all hurt.
“The next few months are going to be a difficult journey but we all have a role to play to adapt to the changes we’re facing, to cushion the impact of what is happening and to pull together so we can bounce back when we get to the other side.”
The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the $189 billion economic support package was the equivalent of 9.7 per cent of GDP.
“The Government is taking unprecedented action to strengthen the safety net available to Australians that are stood down or lose their jobs and increasing support for small businesses that do it tough over the next six months.   “These measures build significantly on what we have already announced.   “These extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures.”
Support for workers and households
Coronavirus supplement
The Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight.  This will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit.
The Coronavirus supplement will be paid for the next 6 months. Eligible income support recipients will receive the full amount of the $550 Coronavirus supplement on top of their payment each fortnight.
This measure is estimated to cost $14.1 billion over the forward estimates period.   An increase of up to 5,000 staff for Services Australia will assist to support delivery of new Government measures.
Payments to support households
In addition to the $750 stimulus payment announced on 12 March 2020, the Government will provide a further $750 payment to social security and veteran income support recipients and eligible concession card holders, except for those who are receiving an income support payment that is eligible to receive the Coronavirus supplement.
This second payment will be made automatically from 13 July 2020 to around 5 million social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. Around half of those that benefit are pensioners.
The first payment will be made from 31 March 2020 to people who will have been on one of the eligible payments any time between 12 March 2020 and 13 April 2020.
This measure is estimated to cost $4 billion over the forward estimates period.
Early release of superannuation
The Government will allow individuals in financial stress as a result of the Coronavirus to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21.   Eligible individuals will be able to apply online through myGov for access of up to $10,000 of their superannuation before 1 July 2020. They will also be able to access up to a further $10,000 from 1 July 2020 for another three months. They will not need to pay tax on amounts released and the money they withdraw will not affect Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs payments.   This measure is estimated to cost $1.2 billion over the forward estimates period.
Temporarily reduce superannuation minimum drawdown rates
The Government is temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account based pensions and similar products by 50 per cent for 2019-20 and 2020-21. This measure will benefit retirees by providing them with more flexibility as to how they manage their superannuation assets.
Reducing social security deeming rates
On top of the deeming rate changes made at the time of the first package, the Government is reducing the deeming rates by a further 0.25 percentage points to reflect the latest rate reductions by the RBA. As of 1 May 2020, the lower deeming rate will be 0.25 per cent and the upper deeming rate will be 2.25 per cent.
The change will benefit around 900,000 income support recipients, including Age Pensioners.   This measure is estimated to cost $876 million over the forward estimates period.
Assistance to business to keep people in a job

• Boosting Cash Flow for Employers

The Government is providing up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not‑for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000.
These payments will help businesses’ and not-for-profits’ cash flow so they can keep operating, pay their rent, electricity and other bills and retain staff.
Under the enhanced scheme from the first package, employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld (up from 50 per cent), with the maximum payment being increased from $25,000 to $50,000. In addition, the minimum payment is being increased from $2,000 to $10,000. The payment will be available from 28 April 2020.
By linking the payments to business to staff wage tax withholdings, businesses will be incentivised to hold on to more of their workers.
The payments are tax free, there will be no new forms and payments will flow automatically through the ATO.   This measure will benefit around 690,000 businesses employing around 7.8 million people, and around 30,000 NFPs (including charities).
Small and medium business entities with aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and that employ workers are eligible. NFPs entities, including charities, with aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and that employ workers will now also be eligible. This will support employment at a time where NFPs are facing increasing demand for services.
An additional payment is also being made from 28 July 2020. Eligible entities will receive an additional payment equal to the total of all of the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments received.
This measure is estimated to cost $31.9 billion over the forward estimates period, including the value of the measure announced in the first package.
Regulatory protection and financial support for businesses to stay in business
Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme
The Government will establish the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme which will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to get access to working capital to help them get them through the impact of the coronavirus.   Under the Scheme, the Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SMEs.   The Government’s support will enhance lenders’ willingness and ability to provide credit to SMEs with the Scheme able to support $40 billion of lending to SMEs.
The Scheme will complement the announcement the Government has made to cut red-tape to allow SMEs to get access to credit faster. It also complements announcements made by Australian banks to support small businesses with their existing loans.
This builds on the investment the Government is making to enable smaller lenders to continue supporting Australian consumers and small businesses, through providing the AOFM an investment capacity of $15 billion to invest in wholesale funding markets used by small authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADI) and non-ADI lenders.
It further supports the Reserve Bank of Australia’s announcement of a $90 billion term funding facility for ns ADIs, that will reduce the cost of lending, with particular incentives to lend to small and medium enterprises.   The measures the Government is announcing today, along with the previous announcements, will deliver a total of $125 billion to support Australians get through the impact of the coronavirus.
The Government will guarantee up to $20 billion to support $40 billion in SME loans.
Providing temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
The Government is temporarily increasing the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands they receive. The package also includes temporary relief for directors from any personal liability for trading while insolvent.
The Corporations Act 2001 will be amended to provide temporary and targeted relief for companies to deal with unforeseen events that arise as a result of the Coronavirus.

• This builds on the support for business and business investment provided in our first economic support package, which included:
• increasing the instant asset write off
• backing business investment by providing accelerated depreciation deductions
• supporting apprentices and trainees
• targeted support for Coronavirus-affected regions and communities

Support for the aviation industry
As previously announced, the Government is also providing up to $715 million in support for Australian airlines and airports, which will ensure that our aviation sector receives timely cash flow support through an unprecedented period of disruption to international and domestic air travel.   While these are challenging times, Australians can rest assured that the Commonwealth Government will do all that is necessary to support them and build a bridge to ensure that all Australians can get to the other side of this crisis.

The Greens say the Government’s proposed changes to mutual obligations miss the point. Many people on Newstart don’t have or are unable to afford the infrastructure to just “go online”.
“The changes to mutual obligations are not good enough, people can request online interviews and meetings but that doesn’t account for people who don’t have or just can’t afford the infrastructure to enable this.
“People on Newstart (now Jobseeker payment) are living on $40 a day. How can the government be sure they have access to a home computer and the internet at home?
“In addition there is going to be an influx of people onto Jobseeker payment who will be subject to mutual obligations who employment providers may struggle to support.
“The only responsible thing at a time like this is to suspend mutual obligations to flatten the curve of infections and minimise the risk to our health system. The arrangements for work for the dole are confusing and it should just be halted.
“The Government needs to stop punishing and demonising people on income support now.”

The Australian Government will provide $13 million to fast-track research into treatments for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
The funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) aims to support rapid development of safe and effective treatment options for COVID-19, and will be awarded via two open competitive grant opportunities:

• $8 million to identify and develop antiviral therapies for people infected with COVID 19.
• $5 million for clinical trials to better treat and manage COVID-19 patients with severe acute respiratory distress, which can be fatal.

This funding is in addition to the $2 million already allocated from the MRFF for research into a vaccine against COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health emergency, which continues to escalate. Australian researchers have outstanding capacity to contribute to global efforts to control the outbreak and save lives.
In the antiviral development grant opportunity, $3 million will initially be provided to test up to 10 antiviral therapies to test proof of concept.
A further $5 million will then be available for rapid advancement of the most promising candidates to clinical practice, for example through human clinical trials in, progression through regulatory pathways and commercialisation.
The respiratory medicines grant opportunity will support clinical trials for the treatment of severe acute respiratory distress in patients infected with COVID-19.
These treatments are crucial to saving the lives of people affected by COVID-19, especially vulnerable people such as the elderly, people with compromised immune systems and people with chronic illnesses.
The funding announced today is part of the Government’s $2.4 billion COVID-19 National Health Plan announced by the Prime Minister on March 11.
The COVID-19 National Health Plan provides support across primary care, aged care, hospitals, research and the national medical stockpile to increase protection against COVID-19 for all Australians.
These grant opportunities are funded from the MRFF, the Government’s $20 billion investment to support vital health and medical research that we can use to react swiftly to emerging health issues.
Australia has produced some of the world’s best medical research. This is another example of us contributing to address important health challenges for Australians and for the global population.
Research plays a critical role in ensuring Australia maintains its world-class health system and is particularly important as the world responds to COVID-19.
The respiratory medicine grant opportunity will open on Monday 23 March 2020, and the antiviral grant opportunity will open on Wednesday 25 March 2020.
For more information on these grant opportunities and how to apply, visit GrantConnect.
Both grants will be managed by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Further information on the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff.

The Australian Government is investing more than $2.6 million in cutting-edge diagnostics research at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, to tackle the evolving novel coronavirus health emergency.
The funding, from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), will be used to help maximise Australia’s capacity to test patients for the coronavirus.
Four projects will be funded:

• The development of a new simpler Australian coronavirus pathology test that will address forecast extraction reagent supply issues through a technique that uses locally manufactured reagents and a different chemistry to current testing methodologies. This new methodology would enable a result within 30 minutes of receipt of a specimen with minimal manual handling.
• The development of new coronavirus testing protocols to enable more individuals to be tested simultaneously, while minimising the number of consumables used and maintain the current turnaround times. This is a one-step test which can be produced and carried out in Australia.
• The development of a deployment framework for newly approved coronavirus serology tests. Serology tests can be used to retrospectively diagnose patients who have recovered from the coronavirus or who have an asymptomatic infection.
• Post-market assessment of new coronavirus rapid screening tests to inform their best use.

These projects will increase Australia’s ability to conduct widespread testing for the diagnosis and clearance of the coronavirus.
The Doherty Institute houses Victoria’s two public health reference laboratories—the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory and the Victorian Infections Diseases Reference Laboratory.
These labs will provide the critical support needed to increase coronavirus testing capability in Australia.
The funding announced today is part of the Government’s $2.4 billion Coronavirus (COVID 19) National Health Plan announced by the Prime Minister on 11 March.
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) National Health Plan provides support across primary care, aged care, hospitals, research and the national medical stockpile to increase protection against coronavirus for all Australians.
These grant opportunities are funded from the MRFF, the Government’s $20 billion investment to support vital health and medical research that we can use to react swiftly to emerging health issues.
The Government’s priority is the health and wellbeing of all Australians. Working together, we will beat this coronavirus outbreak.
Further information on the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff.

This morning’s decision by the big four banks to do nothing for homeowners risks putting families out on the streets, Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, and Housing spokesperson, Mehreen Faruqi, said today, calling for the government to get big banks to give vulnerable homeowners a residential ‘mortgage holiday’ to make sure families don’t lose their homes.
At a time of unprecedented financial stress and rapidly rising unemployment, the decision by the big four banks to limit their deferred loan repayments to small business customers is insufficient and risks furthering workers’ budgeting woes.
The Greens today called for the national cabinet to impose a ban on mortgage foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a freezing of homeowners’ credit ratings. The Greens also called on the government to get the big 4 banks – who have just been the beneficiaries of significant support from the Reserve Bank – to give vulnerable homeowners a mortgage holiday, just as they have with business.
Adam Bandt, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“Thanks to COVID-19, millions of workers are wondering if they’ll have a job tomorrow, and this cowardly inaction from the big banks will now have them wondering if they’ll be able to pay their mortgage too.
“People expect the banks not to be bastards through this crisis, but they’re leaving homeowners out in the cold.
“By deferring payments for small business, banks have shown they recognise the scale of the financial crisis ahead of us. Deciding to leave homeowners out in the cold is either greed or laziness.
“No one should be forced out onto the streets during a global pandemic.
“The national cabinet must look at making the big banks give vulnerable homeowners a mortgage holiday. If banks won’t show compassion, the government must step in.”
Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Housing Spokesperson said:
“Banks have reaped huge profits for years. If they want to keep what little is left of their social license after the Royal Commission they have to do the right thing by families at risk during this crisis.
“Housing is a human right, no matter the circumstances. Not one person should be made homeless during this crisis, and the banks have a big role to play in that.
“This crisis highlights how messed up housing in Australia is. Urgent action now needs to be followed by massive investment in rebuilding social housing, an expansion of crisis housing and reforming the tax loopholes that advantage wealthy investors over the community.”

After seeking advice from medical professionals, my colleagues and my family, I have made the decision to stay in Western Australia – I won’t be travelling to Canberra for Parliament next week.
We’re all in this together and all of our lives have been disrupted. For at risk people, including disabled people, we’re having to re-evaluate and adapt, balancing our usual routines with minimising the risk to ourselves and those we love.
During this time, I’ll be working remotely and I am committed to ensuring that we hold the government to account so that everyone in our community can access the support and information they need to get through this crisis.
In this time of uncertainty, we are here and we will continue to support everyone in our community. You can continue to reach my team and I by calling 08 6245 3310, emailing senator.steele-john@aph.gov.au or contaccting me on social media via my facebook, instagram or twitter.
I’m in regular contact with my Greens colleagues, some of whom will be travelling to Canberra next week, and we will all continue to work towards making sure the government understands that their response to this crisis must include adequate measures to support everyone in our community.

Every Australian government is focused on slowing the spread of coronavirus to save lives.
The Prime Minister, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers met today for the National Cabinet and agreed to further actions to protect the Australian community from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Chief Medical Officer provided the latest advice on the spread of COVID-19 globally and nationally. Leaders noted that Australia has one of the most comprehensive testing regimes in the world with over 100,000 Australian tests for COVID-19 having been undertaken. While the majority of COVID-19 cases in Australia continue to be from Australians returning from overseas, there have been a number of local outbreaks.
Every Australian has a part to play in slowing the spread of coronavirus.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians strictly adhering to social distancing and self isolation requirements, in particular for those who are unwell and for returned travellers. Not adhering to self isolation requirements when you are unwell puts the lives of your fellow Australians at risk.
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia Dr Phil Lowe and the Treasury Secretary Dr Steven Kennedy provided an overview of the economic situation facing Australia as the world responds to COVID-19. Leaders welcomed the decisions by Australian banks to defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 by 6 months.
The National Cabinet agreed that putting budgets together at this time, with the great uncertainty that exists, is not something that any Commonwealth or State Government should be doing. The Federal Budget will be on Tuesday, 6 October 2020.
COVID-19 means that the way we go about our day to day lives is going to be different. The National Cabinet encourages Australians and businesses to adapt to the measures being put in place. It is vital that Australians adapt so they can go about their lives, run their businesses and work under these arrangements that could run for six months or more.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, the National Cabinet agreed to further detail on limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings designed specifically to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. These measures were not taken lightly and are designed to protect the lives of Australians.
The National Cabinet reiterated there are extensive stocks and strong supply chains of food, groceries and medicine. Australia produces enough food for 75 million people and we are a country of 25 million. People hoarding food and medicines are leaving less available for vulnerable and sick Australians who need it. Police have been assisting to stamp out violent and anti-social behaviour.
Food stores have been limiting purchases of certain products to ensure restocking can meet demand. There are no supply shortages. The Commonwealth Government yesterday also announced restrictions on medicine purchases to ensure pharmacies can restock to meet demand so people can get the medicines they need.
The National Cabinet further noted again that in order to protect older Australians and vulnerable communities in the weeks and months ahead, Australia may see even more restrictions put on social and business movements. We need all Australians to please look out for each other and to follow the medical advice.
The National Cabinet will meet again on Tuesday 24 March 2020 to discuss further arrangements for domestic travel prior to the school holidays, arrangements for commercial and residential tenancies, managing critical health and hospital resources, and localised graduated responses to COVID-19.
Indoor Gatherings
As previously advised, non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people are not permitted.
This does not apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities, medical and health care facilities, pharmacies, emergency service facilities, correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals, Parliaments, food markets, supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centres, office buildings, factories, construction sites, mining sites, freight and logistics terminals, where it is necessary for their normal operation (although social distancing and hygiene practices are required in these settings).
National Cabinet agreed to risk mitigation measures for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people including the following:

• In a given occupied space, there must be a density of no more than one person per four square metres of floor space. The 4 square metre arrangements for venues will come into effect from 20 March 2020 and will be mandated through state and territory regulatory arrangements.
  • For example, there can be 25 people in a 100 square metre room, who should maintain a physical healthy distance between each other of 1.5 metres.
• Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles must be made available, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal taking place.
• The Department of Health recommendations for unwell individuals to isolate at home must be promoted.
• For example:
• Cinemas and theatres will decrease density of patrons, which could include alternate seating, staggered seating and alternate rows, except for family groups who may be seated together.
• Seated restaurants may need to undertake a capacity reduction in order to meet the above density requirements.

Safe food and utensil handling statement for catering
The National Cabinet noted the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice that the primary transmission route for COVID-19 is person-to-person; it may therefore be transmitted via utensils or plates that have been handled by someone who has COVID-19.

• For catering, advise staff if they feel unwell to stay at home, and deny entry to staff who are unwell.
• All food, including pre-packaged foods such as boxed lunches, should be prepared by staff trained in safe food handling practices.

Ensure hand washing facilities are accessible for staff and supplied with adequate soap and paper towels.
Further information is available here: https://www.health.gov.au/committees-and-groups/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc
Outdoor Events
As previously advised, outdoor events of fewer than 500 attendees may proceed. There are general measures that all events should follow:

• In a given occupied space, there must be no more than one person per four square metres of ground space.
• Availability of hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.
• Promotion of the Department of Health recommendations for unwell individuals to isolate at home and not attend.

Food markets are exempt from the 500 person limit, however must undertake additional measures, such as control of patronage level numbers or stall density reduction to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Special exemptions for limitations on indoor and outdoor gatherings
There may be other gatherings that are not specifically mentioned here that are considered essential. The National Cabinet agreed that it is at the discretion of the individual state and territory Chief Health Officers or equivalent to assess each on their merits, and determine whether they can continue if mitigated by social distancing measures.
The development of any guideline requires continual re-evaluation and amendments or new guidelines may be released as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress.
Domestic Travel
As previously advised, all Australians should reconsider the need for unnecessary travel. If people are unwell they must stay at home, unless they are seeking medical care.
The National Cabinet previously agreed that public transport is essential and that AHPPC advice should apply in relation to public transport (trains, trams, buses, ferries), taxi and ride share vehicles and transport of vulnerable populations, with particular attention given to cleaning and hygiene.
The National Cabinet previously agreed that domestic air travel is low risk.
The next meeting of the National Cabinet will consider further arrangements for domestic travel.
International Travel Restrictions
The National Cabinet noted the AHPPC’s advice on high-risk countries for COVID-19 importation risk and its continued support for the 14 day self isolation requirement for all returning travellers.
The National Cabinet welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s decision to stop the entry of non-citizens and non-permanent residents and their immediate families into Australia after 9pm AEDT on Friday 20 March 2020 in order to align international travel restrictions with the risks. Limited exemptions will be available under the authority of the Australian Border Force Commissioner, focussed on individuals providing critical or essential services or on compassionate grounds.
Remote Communities
Isolation and remoteness offer opportunities for delaying or potentially preventing an outbreak of COVID-19 in remote Indigenous communities. However, high mobility of community members and a reliance on visiting and outreach activities and services increase the risk of COVID-19 occurring in these communities.
The National Cabinet provided in-principle agreement to the Commonwealth Minister for Health taking action under the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act 2015 to restrict travel into remote Indigenous communities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Under this measure, states and territories will nominate areas in consultation with Indigenous communities, and an emergency requirement determined under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will restrict persons from entering or leaving those nominated areas.
This follows the decisions of a number of Indigenous communities and the Western Australian Government to implement similar measures, and considerations by the Northern Territory Government to phase up their response by restricting access to remote communities.
Under this proposal an emergency requirement determined under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will restrict persons from entering or leaving areas as nominated by states and territories.
The emergency requirement will also allow jurisdictions to nominate a decision maker who will be empowered to permit additional classes of people to enter or leave the community in certain circumstances (e.g., to provide services that are essential for that particular community, such as child care support or mental health services).
Consistent with AHPPC guidance, individuals will be required to undergo a minimum period of isolation (currently 14 days) before entry or re-entry into the area will be allowed.
These rules are aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in remote communities and to rapidly address outbreaks. Enforcement of these restrictions will be the responsibility of each jurisdiction. The National Cabinet agreed that these measures would be implemented as soon as possible.
Supermarkets and retailers
The National Cabinet reiterated that Australia’s food and medicine supplies are secure and there is no need to panic buy. Australians must stop hoarding from supermarkets, chemists and other retail outlets. There is no need to do this and it is depriving elderly and vulnerable Australians of essential supplies.
Criminal or violent behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly by police. This behaviour is un-Australian.
A Supermarkets Taskforce has been established to work with all levels of government, industry and the community to ensure supermarkets can continue providing essential daily supplies and to rapidly resolve issues that may prevent this such as trucking curfews, home delivery arrangements and workforce safety.
Schools, Early Learning and Childcare
Arrangements for schools have not changed.
Consistent with earlier advice on schools, the National Cabinet agreed to the AHPPC advice regarding child care centre closures and noted that “pre‑emptive closures are not proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time.”
AHPPC also provided a series of risk mitigation measures for early learning and child care, including:

• exclusion of unwell staff, children and visitors;
• reduce mixing of children by separating cohorts (including the staggering of meal and play times);
• enhanced personal hygiene for children, staff and parents;
• full adherence to the NHMRC childcare cleaning guidelines;
• excursions other than to local parks should be discouraged; and
• influenza vaccination for children, staff and parents.

AHPPC also noted that, “there may need to be consideration of alternative arrangements for highly vulnerable children” and recommended “these parents seek medical advice.”
Strategies to reduce transmission in schools were included in AHPPC’s advice on 17 March and include reducing public gatherings and mixing of students. Further information is available here : https://www.health.gov.au/committees-and-groups/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc
Criminal Justice System
State and Territory leaders agreed that from 20 March 2020 each State’s and Territory’s adult correctional system will restructure personal prison visits to help manage the risk posed to prisoners and staff by the introduction of COVID-19 into custodial facilities. Depending on their operational needs, this may include stopping visits in some jurisdictions.
Other measures
Aged Care Workforce Continuity
As the transmission of COVID-19 increases rapidly, it is our priority to protect and support elderly and vulnerable Australians.
Aged care is a critical sector that faces staffing challenges as existing staff are either subject to self-isolation requirements due to COVID-19 or are unable to attend work.
Building on the package of measures announced earlier this week, the Commonwealth Government is announcing four temporary measures designed to support the aged care workforce with $444.6 million worth of funding from the Commonwealth to:

• Provide $234.9 million for a COVID-19 ‘retention bonus’ to ensure the continuity of the workforce for staff in both residential and home care.
• Provide $78.3 million in additional funding for residential care to support continuity of workforce supply.
• Provide $26.9 million to supplement the viability of residential aged care facilities (including National Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Program and Multi-Purpose Services and homeless providers).
• Deliver $92.2 million in additional support to home care providers and organisations which deliver the Commonwealth Home Support Program, including for services such as meals on wheels
• An extra $12.3 million to support the myAgedcare service to respond to the needs of older Australia.

The National Cabinet agreed that states and territories will issue nationally consistent public health directions on visitor restrictions for aged care facilities to complement regulatory standards adopted by the Commonwealth.
Consistent legal directions across states and territories will support public confidence and reduce confusion. Australians are receiving their advice through a range of channels, including national and local media, therefore consistency of messaging and language across jurisdictions is important.

The Morrison Government congratulates the announcement by the Australian Banking Association (ABA) that their members will defer loan repayments for six months for small businesses who need assistance because of the impacts of the coronavirus.
This unprecedented move by the banks is a game changer. It will provide a big boost to the confidence of small businesses at this difficult time.
The banks have stepped up to the plate and are playing their role as part of Team Australia.
Small businesses are the back-bone of the economy employing more than more than 5 million Australians who stand to benefit from this relief.
This relief will allow more than $100 billion of existing small business loans to be deferred and in doing so provide repayment relief of up to $8 billion over the next six months.
Today’s announcement will also help small businesses build a bridge to the other side of this health crisis.
It follows the announcement yesterday by the Federal Government and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to inject $105 billion into the economy to support lending to small and medium sized businesses.
The Morrison Government will continue to work closely with the banking industry and our financial regulators to support Australian jobs and businesses during this challenging time.
Today’s announcement is another demonstration of the strength and resilience of Australia’s financial system.

Australia is closing its borders to all non-citizens and non-residents.
The entry ban takes effect from 9pm AEDT Friday, 20 March 2020, with exemptions only for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, including spouses, legal guardians and dependants.
New Zealand citizens who live in Australia as Australian residents are also exempt, as are New Zealanders transiting to New Zealand. Exemptions for Pacific Islanders transiting to their home countries will continue to apply.
Australian citizens and permanent residents and those exempt from our entry restrictions will continue to be subject to a strict 14 days self-isolation.
Our number one priority is to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives.
Our government has taken this unprecedented step because around 80 per cent of coronavirus cases in Australia are people who caught the virus overseas before entering Australia, or people who have had a direct contact with someone who has returned from overseas.
Our previous travel and entry restrictions have already meant that daily travel to Australia by non-citizens has been reduced to about one third of what it was this time last year.
We also strongly urge Australians looking to return home to do so as soon as possible. This follows our upgraded travel advice for all Australians not to travel overseas, at all.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will provide consular advice and assistance, but the capacity for DFAT to provide consular services may be limited by local restrictions on movement, as well as the full scale of the challenges posed by coronavirus.
Australians who cannot, or do not want to, return home should follow the advice of local authorities and minimise their risk of coronavirus exposure by self-isolating.
The government is in discussions with airlines about the continuance of some international flights for the purpose of bringing Australians home and continuing the movement of goods and freight.
These challenges vary and the situation is changing rapidly.
Our government will continue to act on the best available information to keep Australians safe.

The Morrison Government today announced an investment of up to $15 billion to enable smaller lenders to continue supporting Australian consumers and small businesses.
The Government’s actions will enable customers of smaller lenders to continue to access affordable credit as the world deals with the significant challenges presented by the spread of coronavirus.
Small lenders are critical to Australia’s lending markets, often driving innovation and providing competition for larger lenders.
This funding will complement the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) announcement of a $90 billion term funding facility for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) that will also support lending to small and medium enterprises.
Combined, these measures will support the continued ability of lenders to support their customers and in doing so the Australian economy.
The Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) will be provided with an investment capacity of $15 billion to invest in wholesale funding markets used by small ADIs and non-ADI lenders.
The $15 billion capacity would allow the AOFM to support a substantial volume of expected issuance by these lenders over a 12 month period.
Importantly the assets being purchased by the AOFM will not be limited to residential mortgage backed securities. The AOFM will also be able to invest in a range of other asset backed securities and warehouse facilities. The Government will provide the AOFM with investment guidelines that will outline the basis on which the AOFM is to undertake these investments.
Enabling legislation will be introduced in the week commencing Monday, 23 March 2020. The AOFM is expected to be able to begin investing by April.