The Australian Government has signed a $3.7 million contract with a Melbourne company to supply sterile nasal swab kits to the National Medical Stockpile.
3DMeditech will supply Australian made, 3D printed nasopharyngeal swab kits. The kits will be issued from the stockpile to general practitioners, private pathology providers and state and territory governments according to their need for ongoing coronavirus testing.
The kits will include a nasopharyngeal swab, viral transport “media” (salt solution), and a bio hazard bag.
The swabs are the first sterile 3D printed swabs to be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
The kits will make it easy and safe for healthcare professionals to collect clinical specimens from people presenting for COVID-19 testing, and for the samples to be transported to testing laboratories.
3DMeditech, based in Port Melbourne, will deliver the first swabs this week, with further deliveries continuing weekly until early March 2021.
The National Medical Stockpile is a strategic reserve of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medicines maintained by the Australian Government for use in a public health emergency, such as the current pandemic.
Finding an Australian supplier of sterile nasal swabs is another positive move for the nation’s health security. Reliance on overseas suppliers can make it difficult to source vital health resources, such as virus testing materials and PPE, when global demand is high.
In recent weeks, our Government has signed major agreements worth over $1.7 billion to ensure Australia can mass produce vital vaccines, including a COVID-19 vaccine.
The production and supply agreements that form part of our Government’s COVID-19 response plan, means Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a vaccine, after trials have proven it to be safe and effective.
Month: September 2020
Restarting Australia’s Business Events Sector
Thousands of jobs across the tourism and hospitality industry will be backed through a $50 million injection to help restart Australia’s vital business events sector.
Businesses will be encouraged to attend events, trade shows and conferences within Australia through grants to help cover the costs associated with exhibiting such as the hire of exhibition spaces, the design and manufacture of displays, travel and accommodation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s lucrative $36 billion business events sector had virtually ground to a halt during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Getting business events up and running again will be a critical part of the recovery of our tourism industry, but will also have huge flow-on effects through the entire economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“This is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ – whether it’s accommodation providers, those who build exhibitions, caterers, cleaners or those offering audio-visual services.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program would provide opportunities and encourage businesses from regional Australia to attend events in their own backyard.
“With many international trade shows out of reach for the time being, making it less expensive and easier for regional businesses to attend events in Australia will also present new opportunities to connect with and secure new customers,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Business events encourage domestic travel and the more events we can lock in, the more people we can get flowing through our airports, on planes and staying in hotels around the country.”
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the sector had been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with around 95 per cent of business events for 2020 either cancelled or postponed.
“Our business events sector is doing it incredibly tough at present and getting events put back into the calendar will help this key part of our tourism industry which supports around 230 000 jobs turn the corner,” Minister Birmingham said.
“By incentivising attendance by exhibitors this should give event companies and organisers across Australia the confidence they need to move ahead with the planning of business events.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the investment would also make businesses more resilient.
“Many Australian businesses are looking to each other to strengthen their supply chains, to prevent the shocks they experienced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Andrews said.
“Connecting businesses through trade shows and conferences will help unlock widespread collaboration and boost domestic capability by creating and expanding local supply chains.”
Under the Business Events Exhibitor Grants program, Australian businesses exhibiting at an approved business meeting, convention, conference and incentives event in 2021 will be able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50 per cent of their costs ($10,000 – $250,000).
This initiative is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, which is supporting regions, communities and industry sectors severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, go to: www.austrade.gov.au/australian/tourism/tourism-and-business/grants
Backing Australian exporters to go global
The Morrison Government is backing Australian businesses to grow their exports and create jobs through reforms to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme, after an independent review of financial assistance for small and medium enterprise exporters.
The EMDG scheme is a key Government financial assistance program to help aspiring and current exporters increase their marketing and promotional activities in international markets. Last year alone over 4000 Small and Medium Enterprises accessed the EMDG scheme, employing almost 69,000 Australians and generating exports worth $3.7 billion
Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said better assisting Australian exporters to enter new markets or expand their presence in existing markets would be critical to boosting export activity and supporting Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
“The EMDG scheme has played a critical role in helping hundreds of thousands of Australian exporters to expand into international markets, develop brand recognition overseas and form relationships with potential customers,” Minister Birmingham said.
“COVID-19 has presented new hurdles for Australian exporters including the disruption to supply-chains and loss of markets, and it is more important than ever that they have the support mechanisms in place to help them their reach their export potential.
“Maximising support to Australian businesses as they look to go global or expand their overseas footprint will be vital to continue growing the number of Australian exporters and the total value of Australian exports into the future which will help create more jobs.”
In October last year, the Government commissioned the independent review into the administration of the EMDG scheme. It was led by Ms Anna Fisher, co-owner of Zontes Footstep who was assisted by Australia Post CEO Ms Christine Holgate and Aspen Medical CEO Mr Bruce Armstrong.
Minister Birmingham said the Government accepted in-principle all ten recommendations from the review which centered on cutting red tape, increasing awareness of the scheme and giving exporters more funding certainty.
“Whilst the review found many businesses were overwhelmingly positive about the EMDG scheme, it did find the current reimbursement model provided a lack of funding certainty and that administrative processes were too complex,” Minister Birmingham said.
“By shifting away from a reimbursement model to a grants scheme, eligible exporters will now receive funding closer to when they incur costs, giving more confidence that EMDG funding will genuinely boost their international marketing and promotional activities.
“At the same time, simplifying application processes and reducing the administrative burden on exporters whilst still maintaining integrity in the scheme will allow recipients to focus on boosting export activities and ensure maximum return on taxpayer’s investment.
“I would like to thank Ms Fisher, Ms Holgate and Mr Armstrong for their work in ensuring the scheme remains fit for purpose and will support exporters to be competitive on the world stage into the future.”
Legislation to give effect to these changes to the EMDG scheme is scheduled for introduction into Parliament this year. The new scheme is intended to commence on 1 July 2021 once the new legislation has passed Parliament and associated rules are in place.
Consultations on scheme design and program rules will occur prior to changes coming into effect.
For further information, including the Reviewer’s report, go to: www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-Grants
Enhancing Suicide Prevention on R U OK? & World Suicide Prevention Day
Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day, the Australian Government is officially launching vital suicide prevention aftercare services in six states and territories, as well as providing a further $19 million to extend leading national suicide prevention services.
Suicide prevention is a key priority for the Australian Government. In 2018, 3,046 Australians lost their lives to suicide. Each death is a national tragedy and has a devastating effect on friends, families and communities.
This year, World Suicide Prevention Day recognises our shared responsibility for suicide prevention and urges us to engage with others and join together to spread awareness.
I encourage all Australians to take a minute to think about mental health and how they and the people around them are coping with life’s demands.
It is ok to talk about suicidality, and to assist others reach out for support. Our Government is investing in a range of innovative programmes to make sure that help is available.
One of these programmes is the Way Back Support Service. This initiative, delivered by Beyond Blue, offers vital follow up contact and assistance to people for several months after a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.
People who have self-harmed or attempted suicide are among the most at risk of dying by suicide. Non-clinical care during this vulnerable time is effective in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
To support The Way Back, the Australian Government has committed $44.6 million over four years, matched by states and territories, to deliver the service in selected regions across Australia.
The Government has now signed bilateral agreements with the ACT, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria, making the service available in six states and territories. We are continuing to engage with the other jurisdictions.
To further ensure that services and support are available to all Australians, an extra $19 million will be provided for 18 projects, to continue their work as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This funding, through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program, will sustain important support, awareness and stigma reduction activities, research, and leadership until June 2022. This announcement brings the total investment in the programme to over $100 million.
Under the program, organisations such as the OzHelp Foundation and MATES in Construction, are funded to provide training and support to higher risk populations, building wellbeing and resilience in workplaces across Australia.
With so much change and so many challenges this year, the work of organisations like OzHelp and MATES is Construction is critical to supporting mental health and preventing suicide.
Also among the organisations receiving funding though the program is R U OK? Ltd.
R U OK? Day is a day when Australians are asked to connect and have conversations about their wellbeing. In recognition of this year’s theme of “there is more to say after R U OK?”, Australians are also all encouraged to follow up on the initial question, to reach out to someone who looks like they may need help.
Like many of our other activities, R U OK? Day will look different this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. Whether through technology or in person, we can still connect and show we care, in our friendship or family groups, workplaces, schools and community.
As well as urging Australians to reach out to others, I encourage anyone going through tough times to reach out for help, whether in person, through telehealth or a phone or online services.
To ensure that help is available when it is needed, the Australian Government has committed more than $500 million for expanded mental health services since January this year. This builds on record funding for mental health, expected to reach an estimated $5.7 billion this year alone.
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline
(13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.
If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or on their website.
National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program – Funding Breakdown
| Organisation | Project description | Funding | |
| Extension 2021-22 |
TOTAL 2016-17 to 2021-22 |
||
| Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Ltd | Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is funded to deliver mental health and suicide prevention messaging over radio stations nationally and develop materials for groups that may be high risk. | $384,525 | $2,114,887 |
| Everymind | Everymind is funded for three key media and communications projects – the Mindframe National Media initiative, support to PHNs, and the Life in Mind initiative. | $2,218,521 | $11,625,756 |
| MATES in Construction Australia Ltd | Funding supports the national delivery of the MATES in Construction suicide prevention program targeted at male dominated building and construction industries. | $1,680,489 | $9,242,689 |
| Mental Health First Aid Australia | Mental Health First Aid Australia is funded to support and improve the capacity of its network of instructors, work with communities to implement training in priority areas and update and evaluate course resources. | $982,802 | $5,405,412 |
| National LGBTI Health Alliance | Funding for the MindOUT! Project supports the National LGBTI Health Alliance to work with LGBTI organisations and mainstream mental health organisations to improve mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for LGBTI people. | $484,292 | $2,663,605 |
| Orygen – The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health | Orygen is funded to develop guidelines regarding safe youth peer-peer communication about suicide, to develop a suite of evidence-based messages and educational resources and to disseminate messaging and resources via a national social media campaign targeting young people. | $400,000 | $2,200,000 |
| OzHelp Foundation Ltd | Funding for the OzHelp project delivers a suite of evidence-based mental health and suicide awareness, prevention and intervention programs to support ‘hard to reach’ men in male dominated workplaces. | $1,318,168 | $7,002,112 |
| R U OK? Ltd | Funding to R U OK? supports campaign activity designed to build the confidence and capacity of Australians to connect and have conversations about mental health. | $374,976 | $2,062,367 |
| Reach Out Australia Pty Ltd | Reach Out Australia is funded to deliver a youth suicide prevention national media campaign and promote digital support for Australians aged 14-25 years. | $249,886 | $1,374,373 |
| Roses in the Ocean | Roses in the Ocean is funded to provide a range of capacity building workshops and training opportunities for people with a lived experience of suicide. This support will help enable people with lived experience to better engage and contribute to program and policy development undertaken by PHNs and other similar organisations. | $709,000 | $2,485,500 |
| Suicide Prevention Australia Ltd | Suicide Prevention Australia provides a national leadership role for the suicide prevention sector in Australia with a strong focus on building partnerships, including with people with a lived experience of suicide, to change behaviours and attitudes to suicide prevention. | $600,000 | $3,300,000 |
| The University of Melbourne | The University of Melbourne, with its consortium partners, is funded to ensure knowledge and research on evidence based suicide prevention activity is shared and translated into best practice. | $600,000 | $3,300,000 |
| The University of Western Australia | The University of Western Australia is funded to establish and run a Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. | $700,000 | $3,850,000 |
| United Synergies Ltd | Funding to United Synergies supports the StandBy Response after Suicide service to deliver nationally coordinated on the ground support to individuals and communities bereaved by suicide as well as training front-line emergency response services. | $5,105,594 | $26,804,368 |
| Wesley Community Services Ltd | Wesley Community Services is funded for two key projects. Funding supports suicide prevention networks in communities throughout Australia and the delivery of LifeForce suicide prevention training nationally. | $3,161,476 | $17,264,783 |
| TOTAL | $18,969,729 | $100,695,852 | |
Remediation of former Shortland tip to protect local environment
City of Newcastle will protect the RAMSAR-listed Hunter Wetlands by improving environmental management of the former Astra Street landfill site in Shortland.
The site operated as a tip from 1974, taking waste from across the Hunter including from the clean-up of the Newcastle Earthquake, before it was closed and capped in 1995.
The City has worked with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to monitor and assess the site, with expressions of interest called tomorrow, Saturday 12 September for contractors to enhance the 25-year-old capping and improve drainage.
Director Infrastructure and Property Ken Liddell said the project would protect the local environment and aid in future management of the 37-hectare site.
“City of Newcastle is committed to not only ensuring today’s waste is managed with the environment front-of-mind, but that historic sites like Astra Street at Shortland are not forgotten,” Mr Liddell said.
“Environmental management and monitoring standards have come a long way since 1995, which is why we’re investing in upgrades that will protect the local environment well into the future.”
The proposed works will commence in early 2021 and include final capping and reprofiling of the site, and drainage improvements to aid in management of surface water and sediment runoff.
The works are intended to maintain the local protected environment, increase and safeguard water quality of surrounding wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, increase biodiversity values, and promote long term native vegetation growth.
City’s New Year’s Eve Foreshore fireworks event cancelled
City of Newcastle will not proceed with its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks and concert event at Newcastle Foreshore due to the ongoing risks associated with mass gatherings and COVID-19.
The event attracted an estimated 30,000 people to the Foreshore last year.
The City has made the difficult decision in the interest of the community’s safety and will now focus on planning for smaller alternative celebrations.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said while a major event on the Foreshore will not go ahead, the City is investigating a once off different New Year’s celebration with a series of smaller events throughout the city, pending any public health measures in place in late December.
“The decision to not go ahead with this year’s fireworks and concert event is a sad one to make, but it has been made with our community’s safety in mind,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“As we have seen both in Australia and overseas, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to worsen quickly, so we naturally have concerns around the delivery of an event that attracts between thirty and forty thousand people into the Foreshore.
“Our New Year’s Eve fireworks event is one of the City’s most vibrant and exciting occasions with activities and entertainment for the whole family.
“Through liaison with key stakeholders including NSW Police, the City has determined that the transport of thousands of people into and out of the Foreshore precinct would almost certainly lead to pinch points constituting a mass gathering where social distancing is impossible to maintain.
“We look forward to announcing a different way to come together as a community and welcome 2021 with a variety of activations throughout the city and suburbs.
“This revised program will allow us to plan safer opportunities for the community to celebrate together with more space and smaller crowd numbers.”
Newcastle City Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey APM says the risk of large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic remains of a high concern.
“New South Wales Police will respond to whatever decision the council makes regarding the event.
“However, the dangers posed by moving tens of thousands of people into and out of the Foreshore precinct for the 9pm fireworks display remains quite high in the current pandemic conditions.”
City of Newcastle encourages Novocastrians to enjoy New Year’s Eve in a COVID Safe way and will continue to work with NSW Police to prioritise public safety.
With a high number of COVID safe businesses operating through the city, this cancellation will provide the capacity in the transport network for people to access hospitality venues safely and encourages celebrations in smaller controlled groups over the evening.
“We hope people come together to enjoy themselves at restaurants and bars as well as at smaller home gatherings on New Year’s Eve,” Cr Nelmes said.
The City will release more information about the 2021 New Year’s events soon.
Museum offers more to discover
Newcastle Museum is expanding its services and preparing for two new exhibitions after a period of reduced offerings due to COVID-19.
From Friday 25 September, Museum visitors will be required to use a smart phone to scan in via a QR code to provide their contact details for contact tracing purposes.
Not only will smart phones assist with keeping the community safe, people can experience the interactive attractions brought to life through their phones.
As with all of City of Newcastle’s facilities, careful planning has gone in to being able to safely reintroduce staff and visitors into the Museum space.
Visitors are asked to continue to practise social distancing, follow the floor markers and direction of Museum staff.
Due to safety reasons, the Museum’s interactive exhibitions Supernova, Mininova will remain closed for now and the BHP Gallery will close for refurbishment from September 25.
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday each week and open on Mondays during NSW public and school holidays. Entry is free, with tickets to Questacon’s Colour Exhibition available online.
From 26 September, Fort Scratchley will also be open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday.
A series of Frequently Asked Questions are available at newcastlemuseum.com.au to assist the community with further information about the changes they may experience during their visit.
Take a trip down memory lane to help shape the future of Gregson Park
The community is invited to share memories, stories and ideas about Gregson Park to help guide the renewal of the historic park in Hamilton.
City of Newcastle has commenced community engagement on the Gregson Park Masterplan, focusing on values and aspirations to inform how the much-loved park is managed and renewed.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said community input is vital to make Gregson Park a place for locals and visitors to enjoy now and into the future.
“Gregson Park is steeped in history, so we want to ensure that as we plan for its future, we consider its past and pay tribute to the heritage of the site,” the Lord Mayor said.
“From its origins dating back to the late 1880s when the park was gifted to the community by the then Hamilton Council, Gregson Park has become an iconic part of Hamilton, and the broader City.
“We encourage the community to have a say on the future of Gregson Park through our online survey and share photos, ideas and memories via our online mapping tool. We’re also eager to hear what our community loves about the park and what could be improved.”
Chairperson of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Carol Duncan said the Gregson Park Masterplan would help shape the future of Hamilton.
“Hamilton is a unique, diverse and iconic Newcastle suburb with Gregson Park the green space at its heart, “Cr Duncan said.
“How Gregson Park is maintained, preserved and enhanced in the future will play an important part in how Hamilton as a suburb grows for the next generation, which is why we’re seeking feedback from a broad spectrum of our community.”
The Masterplan will consider the existing infrastructure at the park, community priorities for facilities such as the former bowling club site, a new play space and amenities, potential use of the park for events and activities, and heritage interpretation of the site.
Community input will help inform the development of the draft Gregson Park Masterplan which will be placed on public exhibition in early 2021.
Community Engagement is open until Wednesday, 30 September. To have a say or to share memories, stories and ideas, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/gregsonpark
$200M WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS HUB FAST-TRACKED
The development of a new industrial business hub in Eastern Creek will provide an initial 230 new construction jobs for Western Sydney while injecting $213 million into the economy.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government has approved the Concept Proposal and Stage One development of the 39 hectare Light Horse Interchange Business Hub.
“This business hub is a huge win for the people of Western Sydney with the creation of 230 construction jobs now and more on the way,” Mr Ayres said.
“The development of the full facility will create a further 1,000 construction jobs and up to 430 operational jobs once complete.
“This is the latest development to be approved under the NSW Government’s fast-tracked planning assessment program, aimed at keeping the economy moving and people in jobs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To date, the Planning System Acceleration Program has seen more than 80 projects determined, creating the potential for more than $22 billion in economic activity, almost 50,000 new jobs and almost 25,000 new homes and more than four million square metres of new public space, parklands and environmental conservation land.
The Light Horse Interchange Business Hub is one of nine existing or upcoming business parks located in the Western Sydney Parklands that together make up two per cent of the Parklands.
Revenue generated from leasing sites within the business hubs helps Western Sydney Parklands Trust manage and improve the remaining 98 per cent of the Parklands.
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said a thriving Western Parkland City means more opportunities, more jobs and more choice for the people of Western Sydney.
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in the nation and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring the Western Parkland City reaches its full potential,” Ms Davies said.
“By using vacant land with low recreational and ecological value, we can create and improve new recreation facilities and cycling and walking tracks while regenerating bushland and improving wildlife movement across Western Sydney.”
As a result of the fast-tracked approval, Stage One work – including site preparation and demolition of existing structures, remediation, provision of infrastructure and the subdivision of land – can begin within six months.
For further information visit: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/10631
LABOR BACKS CALLS TO FREE THE FLAG
On the back of a number of legal stoushes that have seen Aboriginal organisations charged or served with Cease and Desist notices for reproducing the Aboriginal flag, Labor has called on the Morrison Government to find a solution.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon spoke in the Federal Parliament on the issue yesterday, saying that Aboriginal people and organisations had been prohibited from using the flag, which has been copyrighted by a privately owned clothing company.
“Tragically, Aboriginal people are finding themselves unable to use this important cultural symbol because the licensing rights now belong to a private company, WAM Clothing,” Ms Claydon said.
“The idea that something so deeply symbolic as an official flag of Australia could be sold or licensed to a private company is profoundly troubling.”
Ms Claydon said WAM Clothing was a for-profit company founded by a Queensland businessman, Ben Wooster, who is one of two non-Indigenous owners.
“Mr Wooster’s previous business venture was Birubi Art, which last year made history for all the wrong reasons. Now defunct, Birubi Art was found to be misleading consumers and was fined a record $2.3 million for selling thousands of Indonesian-made items as so-called genuine and authentic Aboriginal art,” Ms Claydon said.
“Regretfully, WAM is now strongly enforcing its legal rights by registering ‘cease and desist’ orders for those who use the Aboriginal flag.”
Ms Claydon said the Aboriginal flag conveys deep historical meaning.
“The Aboriginal Flag was born out of resistance and struggle – it remains a powerful symbol of unity, pride and identity,” Ms Claydon said.
“No other official “Flag of Australia” is licensed to a private, for-profit company – a company that is clearly determined to stop the very same people this flag represents from using it without cost or the need for consent.”
Labor has called on the Morrison Government to step in and find a solution.
“The Aboriginal Flag is an iconic national symbol that should always be about people and pride, not profit,” Ms Claydon said.
“This amendment calls on the Government to do everything in its power to free the Aboriginal flag so it can be used by all Australians, while also respecting and protecting the rights of the flag’s original designer, Harold Thomas.”