Month: November 2018

From today, the Morrison Government will make a new medicine available for free for an extremely rare and potentially life-threatening disease, saving patients hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
The new medicine Galafold® (migalastat) for the treatment of Fabry disease will be listed on the Life Saving Drugs Program, which provides free access to highly specialised medicines to treat patients with rare and life-threatening diseases.
Patients with Fabry disease have a rare enzyme deficiency, which means their bodies have trouble breaking down a fatty substance called globotriaosylceramide.
The condition usually presents in childhood with episodes of severe pain. Others symptoms include skins rashes, headaches, fatigue, vertigo, fever and vomiting and diarrhea.
It can result in potentially life-threatening complications including kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. It can have a major impact on patients and their families.
Currently, there are around 100 Fabry patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy through the LSDP.
Galafold® is a new oral medicine alternative for the treatment of Fabry disease patients aged 16 years and older.
It provides greater treatment choice for Fabry patients, reduces disease symptoms and dramatically improves quality of life, whilst also allowing patients to manage their own treatment at home without the need to have painful injections or infusions.
Without subsidy, Australian Fabry patients would pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for this treatment, putting them beyond the reach of most families who have to fight this extremely rare condition.
This is the first medicine included on the Life Saving Drugs Program following the implementation of our reforms to make the process more timely, transparent and improve patient access through the program.
Our Government currently funds fourteen different life-saving medicines for nine very rare diseases through the program, providing physical, emotional and financial relief for 400 Australian patients.
These medicines are very expensive and would be too high of a financial burden on patients.
Medicines funded through this program include high cost medicines that do not meet the criteria to be funded on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Only in 2017-18 our Government invested $128 million in the Life Saving Drugs Program.
The new the Life Saving Drugs Program medical expert panel was announced in August. The panel, chaired by Australia’s former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Hobbs, supports the evaluation of medicines for funding on the program and provides advice to the Chief Medical Officer.
Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including life-saving medicines, Medicare, hospitals and vaccination programs.

Some of Australia’s most remote communities will be better connected to vital supplies, transport and medical services thanks to Round six of the Liberal and Nationals’ Government’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, which opened for applications today.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program was about improving the safety and accessibility of airstrips across remote Australia to better connect communities to the services they need to survive and thrive.
“It is important for all communities to have great transport links and even more so in our remote areas where local airstrips are crucial pieces of community infrastructure,” Mr McCormack said.
“For many Australians living in remote communities, airstrips are needed to get essential supplies, mail deliveries and potentially lifesaving medical services, as well as connect with education and employment opportunities and travel long distances.
“The Liberal and Nationals’ Government has committed $28.3 million to improve safety and access at airstrips to ensure those living in the most remote parts of our nation continue to remain connected to the essential services they need.”
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Andrew Broad said 31 projects had been approved for funding in the previous round, highlighting the importance of the program to local communities and the Australian Government’s strong commitment to supporting remote and regional Australia.
“Last round we invested more than $500,000 to improve drainage and sealing at Camooweal in Queensland, $225,000 to re-sheet and regrade the runway at Bulla Camp in the Northern Territory and $55,000 to repair fences at the Flinders Island aerodrome in Tasmania, to name just a few,” Mr Broad said.
“These kinds of projects benefit thousands of Australians living in remote communities and surrounding regions, whether through job creation, more reliable transport access or improved service delivery.
“I encourage all owners and operators of remote community airstrips who can see a real need for an upgrade to apply under Round 6.”
Royal Flying Doctor Service Chief Executive Dr Martin Laverty welcomed the new round.
“The Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program saves lives,” Dr Laverty said.
“It delivers safety improvements such as night lighting or navigation aids for the Flying Doctor to land in health emergencies at otherwise unserviceable airstrips. Our remote Australia health service simply couldn’t operate without this essential funding program.”
Applications for Round 6 are open until 29 November 2018 and can be lodged by owners/operators of remote airstrips including community groups, Indigenous organisations and local governments.
To apply, visit www.business.gov.au/raup.

A new version of the Express Plus Centrelink app is now available for people to download who use an Apple device.
We’re encouraging people to update it today.
Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said the update is needed to keep using the iOS version of the app.
“We’re urging people to update to the new version to keep doing their Centrelink business via the app”,  Mr Jongen said.
“Once people have updated to the new version of the Express Plus app they can continue to report as they normally would.
“Anyone using the Express Plus Centrelink app on Android devices can continue to use their existing version.
“People can still report using their Centrelink online account through myGov or phone self-service.”
The new Express Plus Centrelink app for iOS devices is available on the App Store.

Australians are invited to provide comment on exposure drafts of the Native Title Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 and the Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate Legislation Amendment Regulations 2018, released today by the Morrison Government.
The exposure drafts have been developed following a consultation process undertaken earlier this year on an options paper for native title reform, released last November.  That consultation involved more than 40 stakeholder meetings across the country as well as technical assistance from an Expert Technical Advisory Group comprised of nominees from the National Native Title Council, National Native Title Tribunal, government and industry.
There were more than 50 submissions received on the options paper.
Interested parties are encouraged to provide give their feedback on the proposed amendments.
The amendments contained in the exposure drafts are intended to improve the native title system for all parties by:

• streamlining claims resolution and agreement-making processes;
• supporting the capacity of native title claimants through greater flexibility around internal decision‑making;
• increasing the transparency and accountability of prescribed bodies corporate (the corporations set up to manage native title) to the native title holders;
• improving pathways for dispute resolution following a determination of native title; and
• ensuring the validity of section 31 agreements in light of the Full Federal Court of Australia’s decision in McGlade v Native Title Registrar & Ors [2017] FCAFC 10.

A consultation paper sets out the policy objectives of the proposed reforms and provides detailed guidance on the amendments. This paper can be accessed here.
More information on the reforms process, including the exposure drafts, is available on the Attorney-General’s Department website and on indigenous.gov.au.
Submissions close on 10 December 2018.

Australia’s Indigenous young people generally consider themselves to be happy and in good health or better, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent and youth health and wellbeing: in brief will be launched today by the Hon. Ken Wyatt AM, MP, Minister for Indigenous Health, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care at the NACCHO Members’ Conference & Annual General Meeting.
About 1 in every 20 young people in Australia is Indigenous. This report provides a snapshot of their health and wellbeing in a range of areas including social and economic determinants, health risk factors, and health services.
The report shows the majority (63%) of young Indigenous people aged 10–24 rated their health as either ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ in 2014–15.
In the same year, more than 3 in 4 (76%) of those aged 15–24 said they felt happy all or most of the time in the previous month and nearly 7 in 10 (69%) were involved in cultural events in the previous 12 months. More than half (53%) identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
For young Indigenous Australians aged 20–24, there was an increase in year 12 or equivalent attainment from 47% in 2006 to 65% in 2016.
Most young Indigenous people aged 10–24 had access to a GP in their local area (83%) in 2012–13. Between 2010 and 2016, the proportion of young Indigenous people aged 15–24 who had health checks rose from 6% to 22%.
AIHW spokesperson, Dr Fadwa Al-Yaman noted that although young Indigenous Australians generally have good health based on a range of measures, not all are as healthy as they could be.
‘Experiences of unfair treatment or racism, mental health, injuries and experiences of violence were areas of concern,’ she said.
In 2014–15, about 1 in 3 (33%) young Indigenous Australians reported experiencing high to very high levels of psychological distress in the previous month. In 2011, the leading contributors to the disease burden for Indigenous 10 to 24-year-olds were suicide and self-inflicted injuries (13%) and anxiety disorders (8%).
Tobacco smoking, alcohol and substance use were also areas of concern. Despite an increase in the number of young people who never smoked—44% in 2002 to 56% in 2014–15, 3 in 10 were still daily smokers.
Although the death rate for young Indigenous Australians aged 10–24 has fallen over the last 10 years, around 490 (83%) of these deaths in 2011–15 were classified as potentially avoidable, such as deaths from suicides, transport accidents and assault.
Dr Al-Yaman said that these challenges are complex, with social factors—such as education, employment and housing—playing an important role in health and wellbeing.
‘In 2016, 2 in 5—or 42%—young Indigenous Australians aged 20–24 were not engaged in education, employment or training. For young Indigenous people aged 10–24, not being able to get a job was the leading cause of personal stress,’ she said.
Dr Al-Yaman said that the report was an important step in understanding how Australia’s young Indigenous people are faring and provides an opportunity to celebrate their successes and identify areas where they need support.
The report was overseen by an advisory group of experts in fields including Indigenous health, children, adolescent, and youth health, Aboriginal healing, culture and spirituality, mental health, injury, sexual and reproductive health, and education. The group was chaired by Professor Sandra Eades, a leader in Indigenous health research and Associate Dean (Indigenous) from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne.
Today’s summary report will be followed by a more comprehensive report next month.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent and youth health and wellbeing 2018—in brief 

Li Da Weight Loss Capsules pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has tested a product labelled Li Da Weight Loss Capsules and found that:

• the capsules contain the undeclared substance sibutramine.

Consumers are advised that sibutramine is a prescription-only medicine (which was the active ingredient in Reductil). It was withdrawn in October 2010 after a study showed an increased risk of major cardiac events.
The supply of Li Da Weight Loss Capsules containing undisclosed sibutramine is illegal.
Li Da Weight Loss Capsules have not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy as required under Australian legislation, and the place of manufacture is not approved by the TGA.
TGA investigations have shown that a number of people in Australia may have bought the product online.

Chapter Plus+ By Backslim Capsules pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has tested a product labelled Chapter Plus+ By Backslim Capsules and found that:

• the capsules contain the undeclared substance sibutramine.

Consumers are advised that sibutramine is a prescription-only medicine (which was the active ingredient in Reductil). It was withdrawn in October 2010 after a study showed an increased risk of major cardiac events.
The supply of Chapter Plus+ By Backslim Capsules containing undisclosed sibutramine is illegal.
Chapter Plus+ By Backslim Capsules have not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy as required under Australian legislation, and the place of manufacture is not approved by the TGA.
TGA investigations have shown that a number of people in Australia may have bought the product online.

In a highly significant public health accomplishment for Australia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified that Australia has eliminated rubella, a contagious viral illness that can result in miscarriage or stillbirth.
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious viral illness that causes a fever, rash and swollen lymph glands.
If contracted by pregnant women during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, the disease can result in miscarriage or stillbirth or cause life-long problems for their babies.
The elimination of rubella is a great day for public health in Australia and sends a powerful message that vaccinations work.
I commend the efforts of Australia’s health professionals over the decades and the millions of parents who ensure their children are always vaccinated.
Our National Immunisation Program played an essential role this huge achievement by ensuring high levels of vaccination coverage for rubella.
Only last week I announced the nation-wide immunisation rates for five year olds was 94.62 per cent, which is the highest figure on record.
The science is in and the medical experts’ advice is absolute – vaccinations save lives and protect lives and they are an essential part of a healthy society.
Australia has high-performing surveillance systems to rapidly detect and respond to rubella cases and today’s confirmation this disease has been eliminated is testimony to the success of our National Immunisation Program.
Australia has had rolling epidemics of rubella with the largest number of cases reported in 1958 with over 5,000 notified cases, 1963-64 with over 3,000 notified cases and in the early 1990s with more than 4,000 notified cases.
The current National Immunisation Program provides free vaccination for protection against rubella for children aged 12 months with a booster at 18 months.
The WHO has confirmed Australia has also maintained its measles elimination status, after being verified in 2014.
Measles and rubella are very contagious and remain endemic in many countries so we need to remain vigilant and keep our vaccinations up to date.
The Morrison Government has invested $446.5 million in the National Immunisation Program this financial year.
Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including Medicare, hospitals and vaccination programs.

The live export industry will be reset following the completion of the Moss Review into the culture, capability and investigative capacity of the regulator of live exports – the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
“Australians were appalled in April when they saw footage of sheep dying on voyages to the Middle East during a shipment in August 2017, and further angered at their assessment the report of the incident did not match the footage,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Australians need to be confident the independent regulator of the live export industry will hold the industry to account. It was clear we needed an independent inquiry into the culture and capability of the regulator.
“I said in April I was determined to clean this industry up and make it sustainable, because so many farm families and rural towns rely on it. I followed through on the McCarthy Review into the northern summer trade and today I follow through on the Moss Review into the regulation of the industry, accepting all recommendations. The live export industry needs a tough cop on the beat and the Department must become a capable, trusted and effective regulator.
“Today I reset the live export industry to make it sustainable. I announce:

• An external, independent Inspector General of Live Animal Exports who will oversee the Department’s regulation of live export and report to the public and the Minister
• A Principal Regulatory Officer within the Department to improve regulatory practice, compliance and its culture as regulator
• An animal welfare branch within the Department and the development of animal welfare indicators to be used as part of compliance systems
• That the Department will improve systems to allow concerns raised by staff members to be addressed transparently and promptly.

“I specifically asked Mr Moss to consider an Inspector General in his review, and I said at the time I don’t care who thought of the idea. Mr Moss recommends it so I’m doing it. I don’t give a stuff who claims the credit.
“The Principal Regulatory Officer will be key in driving cultural change within the Department as well as improving compliance and investigations.
“I accept Mr Moss’s recommendation the regulator of the live export trade have an animal welfare branch and introduce animal welfare indicators along the supply chain as part of the regulatory framework. Compliance and regulation should not be a bureaucratic tick box – to change culture, the light needs to be shone onto animal welfare andthe threat of being caught and punished needs to be real.
“Employees of the Department need to be confident their concerns about animal welfare will be taken seriously and the Department will improve systems that encourage this.
“I thank Mr Moss for his review and look forward to implementing his recommendations.
“I call on Labor to give a written guarantee they’ll support my Bills to double penalties for live export animal cruelty without political amendments, through both houses of Parliament.”
Minister Littleproud will bring forward legislative amendments to establish the Inspector General position.
These actions follow Minister Littleproud’s move to put independent observers on each sheep vessel to the Middle East and changes implemented after the McCarthy Review, which included a 28 per cent reduction in stocking densities and speeding up the new Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock to the end of 2018.
The Government’s official response to the Moss review can be found at www.agriculture.gov.au/moss-review
Background: The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources acts as the regulator of live exports in Australia, independent of the Minister’s direction and unlike the relationship between most departments and Ministers.
Legal advice from the regulator in 2013 says:
“The powers available to you as Minister under live export legislation can be described as ‘rule making’ or ‘standard setting’ as opposed to the Secretary of the Department, who has ‘regulatory’ and ‘decision making’ powers.”
Legal advice from the regulator on July 11 this year:

1. The Minister has the power to make orders under the Export Control Act 1982. 
2. The Minister also has the power determine principles relating to the export of livestock from Australia that must be taken into account by persons exercising or performing functions under the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997. 
3. These are both rule making powers of general application, not the power to give directions in relation to individual decisions or regulated entities.​