Month: October 2020

Yesterday I sought the support of the Senate to disallow the reintroduction of the liquid assets test waiting period for new claims for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance and Austudy made from 25 September.
I am very disappointed that the Senate did not support the Greens disallowance motion to ensure that people who lose their jobs can get access to income support as soon as possible during this crisis.
It is very unfair to make people use up almost all of their savings before they can access income support. It leaves them in a very precarious position.
For many people the only way they can survive on JobSeeker is by supplementing that income with what little savings they have. This could be the difference between hanging on with the mortgage or rent until they find more work – or losing the family home.
Making people wait before accessing that safety net during these uncertain times is not only unfair, but also irresponsible and it will have a chilling effect on the wider economy. Over the long term, this system entrenches poverty and disadvantage.
It is particularly difficult for older workers who lose work and who will have to use up their retirement savings before they can get JobSeeker. It’s particularly tenuous for older women who have found themselves out of work.
We will see thousands retire into poverty because the government has made them wear down their savings in a job market with very limited opportunities.
Reintroducing the liquid asset test is mean spirited and unfair in the midst of a recession.

The Government has today introduced legislation that will make the Cashless Debit Card permanent in the current trial sites and introduce it to the Northern Territory and Cape York.
“This is a toxic piece of legislation. The Cashless Debit Card is denying people their dignity and quality of life”,  Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.
The Cashless Debit Card is a punitive program that punishes people simply because they are on income support.
Just because people are without employment it does not mean that they cannot manage their finances. It is insulting and paternalistic.
This Government has an agenda and it is stigmatising and demeaning people who need to access the social safety net.
This Bill also removes the cap on the number of people who could be placed on the Cashless Debit Card which is currently capped at 15,000 people. The Minister needs to come clean about whether the pause on Jobseeker recipients being placed on the Cashless Debit Card will continue or not.
It is highly likely that people newly on income support will now be put on the card.
The Northern Territory has been devastated by the impacts of income management brought in with the Intervention.
The ANAO found that there was no evidence that there had been a reduction in social harm in the so-called trial sites. Similarly the final evaluation of income management as part of the NT Intervention found that it met none of its objectives. The ORIMA evaluation and the Evaluation by the University of Adelaide have been called into question by numerous experts because no baseline data was collected to make any comparison to and they relied heavily on hand picked anecdotal reports, flawed methodology and a push polling type approach.
Compulsory Income Management in all its various forms should be abandoned and the resources invested in approaches that are therapeutic, individualised and are genuinely supported by the community.
 

Mental illness is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century and access to treatments should be universal. People in our community should be able to get easy access to treatments in the same way they would for a broken leg or the flu,” Australian Greens spokesperson on mental health Senator Rachel Siewert said.
Mental ill health is the leading cause of sickness and long term work incapacity in the developed world.
There has been under-investment in the mental health sector by successive governments, which has resulted in the system failing to meet the needs of thousands of Australians.
Three quarters of mental health issues begin before the age of 25, it is critical that we support the mental health of children and young people.
Services are too often fragmented and difficult to access and so people fall through the cracks.
We need investment in community-based assertive outreach programs, and more dedicated funding for First Nations peoples.
We need timely and on going evaluation of programs to make sure we are providing quality services that meet community needs. Funding needs to be properly targeted and evaluated so there is transparency around funding and whether outcomes are being achieved.
We are calling on the Government to urgently release the final Productivity Commission report into Mental Health and the final report of the MBS Taskforce’s recommendations regarding Medicare-funded mental health care items.
It is important that any recommendations, for long-term, systemic change, and the Government’s response to these recommendations, be made public and reforms implemented. It is unclear why the Minister is not releasing these reports.
This pandemic will have long-lasting effects on the mental health of many people in our community.
The impact of job losses, economic hardship, lock downs, daily anxiety, reduced social connectedness and long periods of uncertainty have only added to the challenges that our mental health system was experiencing before the pandemic.
And let’s be real. Living in poverty is a contributor to poor mental health and anxiety.
The Government needs to realise that social services policies that push people into poverty cause stress and anxiety and part of looking after mental health in this country is ensuring that we keep people out of poverty and look after their wellbeing.
The global theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health for All. Great Investment – Greater Access. Everyone, everywhere.”

A new model to boost access to GPs in the Murrumbidgee region and make rural generalist training more attractive for young doctors begins today.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said the Murrumbidgee Model would show how new approaches can address gaps in health care and improve the attractiveness of rural medical training.
The model, launched today in Wagga Wagga, will give junior doctors, interested in working in rural general practice in the Murrumbidgee region, the experience, exposure and qualifications they need to become rural generalist doctors – GPs with additional skills such as obstetrics or emergency medicine.
“This new locally-driven model is an important step in our commitment to delivering better healthcare for rural communities and ensuring rural practice is more appealing for doctors,” Minister Coulton said.
“It aims to improve the availability of quality health services where people live and means trainee rural generalist doctors can work in private practices and local hospitals to provide a greater range of care.
“This model will be used to test how new employment models for rural doctors can make working in rural and regional Australia an even more attractive career option – here in Murrumbidgee and across the nation.
“Building a stronger health workforce is key to strengthening rural communities. A big focus of mine as Rural Health Minister is demonstrating that rural areas are a land of opportunity for young doctors, and shouldn’t be seen as second prize.”
Joining Minister Coulton for the announcement, Senator for NSW, Perin Davey said the Murrumbidgee Model will see up to 20 new doctors trained over four years in the region. Sites include Cootamundra, Young, Deniliquin, Temora, Narrandera, Gundagai and an Aboriginal Medical Service in Wagga Wagga.
Dr Joe Murphy will be the first registrar to receive a Murrumbidgee Rural GP training contract through the model. Dr Murphy grew up on a sheep and wheat farm near the small village of Bribbaree, on the outskirts of Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
“Being able to stay with the one employer while I continue my training reduces the administrative burden of moving between employers and facilities,” Dr Murphy said.
“It allows me the flexibility to continue with my GP training in the community as well as do shifts as an Obstetrics Registrar at Wagga Base Hospital. I can also upskill in different areas such as emergency and paediatrics – areas that play a big role for rural GPs.
“Most importantly I have support in terms of being able to maintain and develop professional relationships.”
The model will be evaluated, to assist the Government to roll out the National Rural Generalist Pathway and approaches that work to support Australians living in other rural, regional and remote areas.
“Each rural community is different and requires a local solution to meet the needs of that area, which is why the Federal Government strongly supports this locally-led approach in partnership with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District,” Minister Coulton said.
“This new and innovative model is supporting the Australian Government’s efforts to improve health service delivery through the $550 million Stronger Rural Health Strategy and the $1.2 billion in last week’s Federal Budget earmarked to improve rural health.”
Under this model, rural generalist trainees will be employed as ‘state employees’ through the Murrumbidgee Local Health District and be able to bill Medicare for their work within participating primary care locations.
The training organisations, GP colleges and health services will ensure the standards of education and achievement remain at the highest level. The pathway is aligned with National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Ruth Stewart’s focus on implementing the National Rural Generalist Pathway.

The NSW Government’s new 10-year strategy released during National Carers Week will ensure the states 850,000 carers will receive better support and recognition to improve their financial and physical wellbeing.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the strategy aims to help carers overcome the challenges involved with caring for loved ones.
“National Carers Week is a significant time to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution unpaid carers make to our communities,” Mr Ward said.
“Under the strategy, the NSW Government will make it easier for carers to access information and services, reduce financial stress and look after their own health and wellbeing.”
This includes a new landing page for carers on the Service NSW website and an awareness campaign, It’s Caring, to help carers self-identify and seek help.
Action plans, released every two years, will set out the steps NSW Government agencies and the sector are taking to better support and recognise carers.
In NSW, carers provide care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, alcohol or drug dependency, long-term health condition or the elderly.
Carers NSW CEO Elena Katrakis said the strategy will provide an important framework and direction for supporting carers over the next 10 years and help to overcome the many challenges carers face.
“Carers are providing more hours of care than ever before and this new strategy will make it easier for carers to access the information and support that they need to continue their vital caring roles,” Ms Katrakis said.
To access the NSW Carers Strategy 2020-2030 please visit https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/inclusion/carers
Information on National Carers Week is at https://carersweek.com.au/