The Morrison Government will invest an additional $1.2 billion to support Australian businesses to employ 100,000 new apprentices or trainees as part of our COVID-19 economic recovery plan.
Starting tomorrow, 5 October 2020, businesses who take on a new Australian apprentice will be eligible for a 50 per cent wage subsidy, regardless of geographic location, occupation, industry or business size.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said apprenticeships are an important pathway to get young people into jobs and to ensure there is a skills pipeline to meet the future needs of employers.
“During this pandemic the Federal Government has been focused on supporting and creating jobs as well as identifying the skills we need in the economic rebuild,” the Prime Minister said.
“Already 760,000 jobs that were either lost or reduced to zero hours as the COVID crisis hit, have come back into our economy. We want to continue to recover what has been lost and get young people into work.
“Whether it’s the manufacturing, housing and construction, arts or mining sectors – this new wage subsidy gives businesses certainty to hire and provides a career path to aspiring, young tradies.”
The subsidy will be available to employers of any size or industry, Australia-wide who engage an Australian apprentice or trainee from 5 October 2020 until the 100,000 cap is reached.
Under the new measure, employers will be eligible for 50 per cent of the wages for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for the period up to 30 September 2021, up to $7,000 per quarter.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the measure builds on the existing $2.8 billion Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy that is helping employers to retain their apprentices and trainees.
“The Australian Government has already invested significantly to ensure that apprentices are retained where possible and supported to re-engage if they lose their job,” Minister Cash said.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the new measures we are announcing today will build on the already significant investment to support apprentices and trainees.
“Through the existing Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure, as many as 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices throughout Australia will continue to be supported,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
More information on the measure is available at: https://www.employment.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements
Month: October 2020
NSW PUBLIC SERVICE TO LEAD OFFICE RETURN
Public Servants across the NSW Government will begin returning to work in the office in coming weeks as part of a COVID Safe transition.
Flexible working arrangements, including staggered start and finish times, will be in place to allow as many workers to return to their offices in a COVID Safe manner, providing a major boost for the Sydney economy.
Due to COVID-19 public health orders and the application of the four-square metre rule the number of employees returning to work across Government will differ depending on the office spaces available.
As has been the case for the past few months, employees will be urged to travel outside of peak times where possible to help maintain social distancing on public transport and where unable to social distance to consider wearing a face mask.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said public servants returning safely to the office was an important step in the State’s recovery but warned we couldn’t afford to become complacent.
“The health and safety of the people of NSW has always been our number one priority, however we are also focussed on firing up the economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are now encouraging public servants to physically return to work in their offices in a COVID Safe way, which will help stimulate city-based businesses and create more jobs across the state.
“The Government will continue to review health advice and aim to ensure we keep people safe and at the same time allow them to return to their normal lives as much as possible.”
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said public servants returning safely to the office was an important economic signal for not just the State but the country.
“Our top-class health response and contact tracing has managed to help contain COVID-19 and we now need to begin returning our city safely to a more normal footing,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is an important step, and as workers return safely to the city it will help boost confidence and support businesses who have suffered over the past six months.”
Department managers will be tasked with ensuring staff follow a COVID-19 Safety Plan and utilise flexible rostering where possible to allow travel on public transport outside of peak hours.
These arrangements for returning to work will comply with the current Public Health Orders:
- The Gathering and Movement Order requires employers to allow their employees to work from home if reasonably practicable.
- While office gatherings are generally exempt from the public health orders, NSW Government offices adopt the 4 square metre rule voluntarily in line with COVID-safe practices.
The move follows the recent Summer Summit of business and industry leaders, organised by the Treasurer and Planning Minister Rob Stokes, which heard about the importance of CBD office workers returning safely to the city to help boost business.
TAFE NSW ACCELERATES VOLVO APPRENTICES
TAFE NSW has partnered with MSX International as the national training provider for Volvo apprentices.
Through the partnership, Volvo apprentices will study a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology in the state-of-the-art automotive training facilities at TAFE NSW Campbelltown and receive hands-on experience with Volvo’s advanced automotive software technology.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the agreement with MSX International is an example of how TAFE NSW is partnering with industries to bolster the practical skills of employees and maximise business potential.
“This is a significant step towards strengthening Australia’s automotive industry and building a pipeline of mechanics with specialised skills and knowledge to meet the needs of global companies like Volvo,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“An important aspect of the State’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is to reskill, retrain and redeploy the workforce to industries where there are skills shortages and emerging employment opportunities.”
Minister for Skills Geoff Lee said the NSW Government was thrilled a global name such as Volvo has partnered with TAFE NSW to deliver state of the art training for apprentices.
“TAFE NSW’s reputation as a training provider enables partnerships such as this to be developed for the benefit of apprentices and industry. Partnerships create a unique opportunity to work together at the cutting edge of training,” Mr Lee said.
Volvo Managing Director Nick Connor said the training partnership is an integral part of the company’s future.
“Volvo is proud to provide our apprentices with access to leading industry training that will meet the skills needs of the automotive jobs of the future. Having Volvo apprentices trained on Volvo products, by highly-skilled TAFE NSW teachers, also ensures that the needs of our customers are always at the forefront of our business,” Mr Connor said.
MSX International Training Academy Manager Ian Roberts said: “The partnership between MSX and TAFE NSW has already seen more than 36 apprentices excel through this customised training program.”
Four arrested at Ourimbah after Castle Hill carjacking
Four men have been arrested after a carjacking in Sydney’s Hills District early yesterday.
Police have been told a 29-year-old woman parked her BMW 428i in The Hills Showground Metro car park about 8.35am (Sunday 4 October 2020), when she was approached by a man who told her he had a knife and demanded the keys to her car.
The Kellyville woman handed over the keys, however, she was assaulted when she tried to run away and sustained minor injuries. The man drove away in the BMW.
An investigation commenced by detectives attached to The Hills Police Area Command and a description of the car was disseminated.
Following inquiries, about 9:30pm the same day, officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling the Junction area when they saw the stolen vehicle parked in Kemp Street. Police will allege the driver accelerated away and a pursuit was initiated. It was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns.
About 10:20pm, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Proactive Crime Team noticed the vehicle driving west along the New England Highway, Hexham, and followed it into Tarro.
With assistance from PolAir, the car was monitored through local streets, before it joined the M1, where it was seen travelling south.
About 1am today (Monday 5 October 2020), the vehicle stopped at police roadblocks at the Palmdale Road overpass at Ourimbah.
Four men – two aged 18 and two aged 19 – were arrested and have been taken to Wyong Police Station.
The operation involved police districts including Newcastle City, Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Water, as well as Traffic and Highway Patrol, the Dog Unit, and PolAir.
Budget to deliver better access to life changing medicines for liver cancer, eye conditions and Parkinson’s disease
Australians suffering from liver cancer, myopia and Parkinson’s disease will soon have new treatment options, with amended PBS listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) coming into effect.
In Tuesday’s Budget, the Morrison Government will provide significant investment for new medicines including over $230 million to expand the listing Tecentriq® and Avastin® (atezolizumab and bevacizumab) on the PBS for use in combination to treat patients with advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer, which often occurs in people with other chronic liver diseases. It also has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancer types.
From 1 November, more than 500 patients per year could benefit from PBS listing of this treatment, which would otherwise cost more than $170,000 per course.
Australia will be the first country in the world to have this combination treatment publically funded for this type of liver cancer.
This PBS listing has been implemented only two months after TGA registration, after it was assessed through the new TGA provisional approval pathway and considered for funding in parallel by the expert Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
The PBAC recommended this treatment be funded because of its significant benefits for patients with liver cancer and the high clinical need for this targeted therapy.
As at 1 October, PBS listings are now helping Australians living with eye conditions and Parkinson’s disease:
- Eylea® (aflibercept) will be expanding the listing for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation due to pathologic myopia. This condition is associated with unwanted growth of new blood cells in the eye that impact vision through a type of extremely acute near-sightedness. Without PBS subsidy, approximately 500 patients could benefit and would otherwise pay more than $5,000 per year of treatment
- Apomine Solution for Infusion® and Apomine Intermittent® (apomorphine) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease will be extended, to include access to maintenance treatment through community pharmacy in addition to hospitals. Without PBS subsidy, patients could pay more than $7,500 per script for this medication.
These listings were all recommended by the independent PBAC.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,450 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $11.8 billion.
Also from 1 October, treatments for high cholesterol and almost 20 other widely used medicines will be cheaper as a result of price disclosure policy, designed to ensure the PBS is sustainable and affordable for decades to come.
Under our Government’s price disclosure policy, 18 medicines sold as 224 brands listed on the PBS will be up to $6.02 cheaper for general (non-concessional) patients as at 1 October 2020.
Two medicines for high cholesterol, ezetimibe and rosuvastatin, are among the medicines which will be cheaper.
Around 60,000 patients per year will now pay $25.69 per script for 10 mg tablets of ezetimibe, a saving of up to $5.21 per script.
Around 300,000 patients per year will now pay $15.42 per script for 10 mg capsules of rosuvastatin, a saving of up to $2.13 per script.
In total, Australians will save $40 million for medicines priced below the general patient co‑payment of $41.
Unlike Labor, we are listing all medicines recommended by the medical experts on the PBAC. In 2011, Labor stopped listing medicines on the PBS because they could not manage the economy.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring that Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.
New 'leash' on life for two retired police dogs
Life is far from ruff for former police dogs, Otis and Mickey, following their retirement from the NSW Police Force.
Mickey, an English springer spaniel, joined the force in 2010 as an explosive detection dog and has worked at several major events, including the State of Origin, Rugby League World Cup and City2Surf. He also showed off his impressive skills for several years at the Sydney Royal Easter Show before his retirement in June 2018.
Otis, a German Shepherd, worked as a general purpose police dog; helping to track offenders and locate missing people since 2012. He continued to serve the community until his retirement in December 2019.
Both dogs are in the care of police dog handler, Senior Constable Andrew Bennett, who used to work with the pair at the Dog and Mounted Command.
“They’re coping really well as retired police dogs – they’ve just become part of the family. We all go for walks together and they like to eat the leftover bread crusts,” S/Cst Bennett said.
“It’s not common to have a dog handler take on two retired police dogs but I’m more than happy to look after them as they’ve helped look after me for so long.
“I think being a dog handler in the NSW Police Force is one of the most rewarding jobs because you get to come to work with your best friend every day.”
S/Cst Bennett said Mickey still loves to chase a tennis ball while Otis has become more easy-going in his older age. Both dogs are also good friends with S/Cst Bennett’s current police dog, Boss.
Dog and Mounted Unit Commander, Superintendent Peter McErlain, said he was glad to see these former police dogs enjoying the simple life.
“Both Mickey and Otis have served their community well – going above and beyond to keep us safe for a decade,” Supt McErlain said.
“It’s only right they now get to relax, enjoy an extra treat or two and have a well-deserved nap in the sun.”
Helping an additional 10,000 first home buyers
As part of the Morrison Government’s economic recovery plan to create jobs, rebuild our economy and secure Australia’s future, an additional 10,000 first home buyers will be able topurchase a new home sooner under our First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.
Our First Home Loan Deposit Scheme has already helped almost 20,000 first home buyers purchase a home this year with a deposit as low as 5 per cent.
An additional 10,000 places will be provided from 6 October 2020 to support the purchase of a new home or a newly built home.
The Government recognises that saving a deposit has become a more significant barrier to entering the housing market than the ability to service a home loan.
Under the existing First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, eligible first home buyers can purchase a modest home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent.
Building on the success of the existing scheme, an additional 10,000 first home buyers will be able to obtain a loan to build a new home or purchase a newly built home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent.
The additional guarantees will be available until 30 June 2021 and will drive more construction and support jobs as part of our Economic Recovery Plan.
Eligible first home buyers will also be able to take advantage of the Morrison Government’s First Home Super Saver Scheme and HomeBuilder, and first home buyers may also be eligible for state and territory grants and concessions.
Combined, the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, Homebuilder and First Home Super Saver Scheme represent an unprecedented level of Government support for home buyers and the construction industry alike.
Government must meet the deadline for implementation of Aged Care Royal Commission special report recommendations and fund them in the budget
The Greens say that the Government has no excuse not to urgently act on the recommendations of the Aged care and COVID-19: a special report.
Let’s face it, these recommendations are really the bare minimum of what the Government should have already done when this pandemic started, extra support for the workforce, infection prevention and control training, mental health support for residents and of course a national coordinating body.
It’s shambolic that we have no national coordinating body to address the COVID crisis in aged care, Greens spokesperson on Ageing Senator Rachel Siewert said.
The buck stops with the Commonwealth on Aged Care and so far they have failed dismally.
We knew about the need for infectious control prevention and accreditation after Newmarch.
Given that the Royal Commissioners have made the unusual step of releasing a special report so close to when the final report is due indicates how serious the failures of the system to deal with COVID are.
A commitment to fund these recommendations adequately must be included in next week’s budget.
The funding that the Government has announced today is not enough and there needs to be more in the budget.
Environment Minister doing Rio Tinto's bidding
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has serious questions to answer about the influence mining giant Rio Tinto has had on the Morrison Government’s proposed environmental law reforms, the Greens say.
Through FOI documents and responses to questions on notice through a Senate Inquiry, it has been revealed Rio Tinto wrote to the Morrison Government before the 10-year Samuel Review into Australia’s environment laws commenced last year, asking for states to have approval powers for major projects and the Minister has held a number of subsequent meetings with the company in relation to changes to the EPBC Act. Drafting of new laws had also commenced before the interim report of the Samuel Review had been released.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Environment Minister should come out and tell us if she is simply under orders to do the bidding of Rio Tinto and other mining giants by smoothing their path for environmental approvals of their environment-wrecking projects.
“It seems the Minister not only failed to intervene before Rio Tinto devastatingly blew up Juukan Gorge, she continues to help them pursue even more destruction of our environment and heritage sites.
“The Morrison Government needs to stop its pursuit of its rehashed Tony Abbott bill that hands power for approvals of projects of national environmental significance to the states. The mask has slipped and everyone can see the Liberal Party is just helping its fossil fuel donors get exactly what they want and at any cost to our environment.
“Sussan Ley will be remembered as the Environment Minister who put koalas on their final path to extinction, allowed sacred Indigenous sites to be destroyed and trashed our precious natural world instead of protecting it.
“The Samuel Review should be completed before any legislative change is even proposed and strong standards with an independent cop on the beat to enforce them must established to help protect our environment not trash it even further.”
Safe Travel Zone With New Zealand
The Australian Government is establishing a Safe Travel Zone with New Zealand.
This is the next step for a COVID-safe Australia that will reunite families and friends, offer opportunities for businesses looking for workers, and back the communities that depend on tourism.
Australia and New Zealand have worked closely together since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
We are committed to opening up both domestic travel within Australia and travel with New Zealand, as well as other low risk countries as soon as the health advice says it is safe to do so.
The Australian Government’s Department of Health has undertaken a public health risk assessment of COVID-19 in New Zealand, which indicated that New Zealand posed a low risk of COVID-19 transmission to Australia.
Passengers from New Zealand will be able to travel to Australia, quarantine-free, from Friday, 16 October, provided they have not been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot in New Zealand in the preceding 14 days.
As has been announced already, the Australian Government is defining a hotspot using a three-day rolling average of three locally acquired cases per day.
There are currently no COVID-19 hotspots in New Zealand. The last locally acquired case with an unidentified epidemiological source occurred on 21 August 2020. We are working closely with New Zealand authorities to ensure we are notified promptly of any outbreaks there.
Any state or territory that imposes travel restrictions consistent with the Australian Government-defined hotspot, as advised by the acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, will be able to participate in the Safe Travel Zone.
After offering these arrangements at the latest National Cabinet, we have reached agreement for this first stage of quarantine-free travel with New South Wales and the Northern Territory. We welcome those jurisdictions’ commitment to reopening Australia to the world.
Normal visa requirements will apply and travellers returning to New Zealand from Australia will be required to comply with New Zealand’s travel requirements.
The Australian Government will provide increased Australian Border Force support at airports to support the establishment of green lanes of travel for New Zealanders and collecting information on arrivals to assist with contact tracing if required.
We expect the establishment of quarantine-free travel to Australia from New Zealand will also free up space for around an additional 325 passengers a week to enter quarantine in Sydney.
More information will be available at www.smartraveller.gov.au