Australia will share its successful approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and the pathway ahead as the host of the virtual Global Innovation Summit 2020.
Held over the next two days, the theme of this year’s summit – Crossing the chasm: Health, Innovation and the Future Economy. Participants will explore the impact of COVID-19 from a health, social and economic perspective, and the pivotal role innovation will have as we recover.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the global sharing of ideas, successes, challenges and plans was more important than ever as the world responds to the pandemic.
“Globally, Australia is in an enviable position – both financially and in our health response to COVID-19,” Minister Hunt said.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen monumental change to the way Australians can take care of their health. This includes the introduction of telehealth, which has revolutionised the way Australian patients can receive care.”
“This summit gives us the opportunity to outline how we have approached the most challenging of times, and allows us to work with other global leaders to develop the innovative health solutions we need in the months and years ahead.”
The summit will provide an opportunity to showcase Australia’s innovation breakthroughs and technology to leaders across the health, science, industry, investment and technology sectors.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, said the virtual conference will bring together some of the brightest minds from around the world to discuss how economies can emerge from COVID-19 pandemic with increased resilience and competitiveness.
“Manufacturing will be critical to our nation’s economic future, and the Morrison Government is strategically investing in areas of manufacturing where we know we have an edge, so that Australian manufacturers can scale up and create new jobs,” Minister Andrews said.
“Through the Modern Manufacturing Strategy, we are boosting the role of science and technology in industry, which will allow us to open up new markets and take more Australian products to the world.
“To prepare for the post-COVID economy, we are also investing in additional support for Australian businesses to use digital tools to enhance their processes, as part of our goal to become a leading digital economy by 2030.”
The Global Innovation Summit is co-hosted by the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils – a network of organisations and 35 countries with shared principles, to enhance regional, national and global prosperity.
The two-day event will include international leaders’ perspectives, interactive panel discussions and presentations highlighting key innovation breakthroughs assisting the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual event is free and you can register online.
Month: November 2020
New health care model improves access for patients in Snowy Valleys
The communities of Tumut Tumbarumba, Batlow and Adelong will benefit from a new primary health care model to improve access to local health care and provide better continuity of care for rural patients.
Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said the Coalition Government is investing in first-of-a-kind primary care models as part of a broader effort to improve health outcomes for rural Australians.
The 2020-21 Budget invests $3.3 million in new models of primary care to help pioneer local solutions to team based care and provide better healthcare services across sub-regions in western and southern NSW.
“The challenge of delivering health services in small communities is well known, and it is clear the existing one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working for every rural community,” Minister Coulton said.
“The trial of a new collaborative model of health care in these four communities aims to create more efficient and co-ordinated networks of GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals to deliver local services.
“We know that rural, regional and remote Australians can face difficulty accessing health care. Creating more flexible settings as part of this approach is an important step in creating a rural health workforce to service the needs of the region.”
The new Snowy Valleys model will investigate if viable practices may be better sustained by having a team of GPs, nurses and allied health professionals deliver integrated health services to a number of smaller, connected communities.
Senator for New South Wales, Perin Davey said The Nationals in Government want people living in these communities to benefit from continued access to essential health services as well as reduce the time it takes to travel for primary care.
“Community is at the core of this approach and we want local communities maximise their local health services and co-design solutions that are tailored to meet the needs of their communities,” Senator Davey said.
“In addition, we want more health professionals to choose a career in the bush. The rollout of the new model is a good example of how we can improve the scope of practice for doctors and health professionals and provide rewarding lifestyle and career opportunities.
Minister Coulton said this new model provided a further incentive for young doctors to come to the region and built on the recent Murrumbidgee Model for Rural Generalist GPs that was providing a training pipeline and improved support for young trainee GPs.
Director Service Delivery at NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN), Mike Edwards, said Tumut was an ideal location to trial innovative approaches to health workforce solutions.
“A key enabler of success for this trial will be aligning community and health sector expectations and goals,” Mr Edwards said.
“Through consultation with community-based working groups already in place in Tumut, we can agree on approaches that may work best for the trial.
“NSW Rural Doctors Network sees this Collaborative Care project as the start of a model that could hopefully be scaled-up to support similar sub-regional approaches in remote and rural areas across Australia. We look forward to starting work early in the new year.”
The models are part of the Coalition Government’s broader primary care reforms including a 10-year plan to support patient centred care and equitable access to the best available primary health care services. Minister Coulton said rural and remote primary care is a key focus of the reforms.
“If we want to make an impact to tackle health access issues in our communities, we need to understand the local needs and look at more flexible and practical solutions to delivering healthcare in the bush,” Minister Coulton said.
The trial will last 18 months and is a practical solution developed with extensive community consultation and support.
Supporting South Australians through COVID-19
The Australian Government will lift mutual obligation requirements for job seekers in South Australia from today 18 November 2020 until Sunday 29 November 2020.
This follows an announcement by the South Australian Government that the state will undertake a six-day shutdown to curb a COVID-19 outbreak in the state.
No South Australian job seeker will face payment suspension or financial penalties for failing to meet their mutual obligation requirements – such as not being able to attend appointments or activities.
Job seekers are still being encouraged to remain connected to employment services to ensure they are supported to access the full range of assistance including mental health services, if required.
This will apply to job seekers in jobactive, Online Employment Services and Disability Employment Services and participants in ParentsNext,
The Australian Government will continue to closely monitor the situation in South Australia.
More information is available at https://www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/job-seekers
Help shape the future of Newcastle’s National Park
With an extra 4,000 homes expected in Newcastle City Centre by 2036, City of Newcastle is calling on feedback to shape how the city’s largest community open space can be improved.National Park is a 20 hectare multi-purpose reserve stretching between Union and Parry Streets in Newcastle West and includes Newcastle’s largest and oldest sportsground No. 1 Sportsground.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said community input is important to make National Park a space that locals and visitors continue to enjoy into the future.
“The long-term future of the area will be shaped through community consultation on the review of National Park’s Plan of Management and will also take into consideration recommendations made from the Strategic Sports Plan which is nearing finalisation.
“The Office of Sport has also identified strategies to establish No. 1 Sportsground as a Regionally Significant Sports Facility within the Draft Hunter Sport and Active Recreation Plan (2018-2023).
“National Park is a unique site in Newcastle and will play an important part in the liveability of our city centre as the population grows and the CBD moves westward.
“We’re looking forward to working with the community on the future of National Park, with people given the opportunity to have their say in person at stakeholder workshops, a community drop-in session and via an interactive online map and survey.
“National Park is an essential greenspace in the heart of the city for passive reaction and also caters for a variety of sporting codes including netball, football, cricket, rugby league, rugby union, AFL, athletics and croquet.
“It is also a popular venue for school sports and a hub where recreational activities such as walking and casual play or games take place.
“The City manages and maintains a diverse network of community and Crown land, such as bushland, parks and sporting fields, for the benefit of our residents and visitors.”
The northwest corner of National Park was formerly home to tennis courts and a bowling club, which was later occupied by charity Life Without Barriers until 2017.
In 2019 City of Newcastle commenced a process to provide safe public access to the northwest corner of the park, including demolishing the Life Without Barriers building and turfing the area for passive recreation.
In September City of Newcastle opened new basketball courts near the corner of National Park and Parry Streets to activate the formerly unused corner of National Park.
Community engagement is open until 7 December with the National Park Plan of Management draft plan to be publicly exhibited in early 2021.
SYDNEY METRO WEST CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY
Work has officially started on the Sydney Metro West mega project, which will create tens of thousands of jobs and transform Greater Sydney for generations to come.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance officially marked the start of work at The Bays Station site, which is being prepared for the arrival of tunnel boring machines.
“Sydney Metro West is a life changing mega project which will transform how we get around Sydney and ensure we have the right transport in place to accommodate the city’s growth,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This project will help cut crowding on three major train lines and take tens of thousands of cars off the roads every day.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest record amounts in public transport projects, like Metro West, because we know improving transport makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs.”
Mr Perrottet said the project will create more than 10,000 direct new jobs and around 70,000 indirect jobs, delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Investing in crucial job-creating infrastructure projects is a key focus of this year’s State Budget,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The NSW Government is investing tens of billions of dollars into delivering a new Metro network to connect Greater Sydney, including $2.1 billion in 2020-21 to get the construction of Sydney Metro West underway,” Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Constance said the city-shaping project will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.
“Sydney Metro West will deliver new fully accessible stations at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays and the Sydney CBD,” Mr Constance said.
“This once in a century infrastructure investment will have a target travel time of about 20 minutes between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, link new communities to rail services and support employment growth and housing supply.”
The road works at The Bays, assessed and approved earlier this year, will allow the first of four mega tunnel boring machines to be in the ground before the end of 2022.
Sydney Metro is continuing to work through the shortlist process to appoint a consortia to deliver the first tunnelling package, the Central Tunnelling Package, which includes 11 kilometres of twin tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park.
Due to the scale of this city-shaping mega project, the tunnelling and excavation works have been separated into geographically-specific contract packages between Westmead and the Sydney CBD.
The first tunnelling contract is expected to be awarded by the middle of 2021.
BUDGET TO BOOST JOBS, KICK-START THE ECONOMY AND CONTINUE KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE
Creating and supporting jobs through targeted stimulus measures, billions of dollars for infrastructure and maintenance, tax cuts for business and record health funding are at the centre of today’s 2020-21 NSW State Budget.
The Budget reinforces our world-class health system that has made NSW a global leader in tracking, tracing and containing COVID-19 to keep our people safe, as part of a record $29.3 billion health budget.
Job creation is front and centre with a record $107 billion infrastructure pipeline targeting shovel and screwdriver-ready projects, while a skills and training blitz will help people get back into the workforce after this year’s significant job losses.
Hip-pocket support will give families peace of mind, with 15 hours of free preschool per week extended to the end of 2021, and $100 worth of Out & About vouchers for every adult resident to inject new energy into the economy, help businesses doing it tough and encourage employment.
More assistance is being fast-tracked to help those most affected, with the biggest mental health budget in NSW’s history, and a major investment to provide intensive tutoring in schools to help students overcome the challenges of a rollercoaster school year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Budget takes decisive action to meet the needs of people across NSW, as we emerge from an unprecedented health and economic crisis.
“The people of NSW have done it tough over the past 12 months, faced with the triple crises of drought, bushfires and COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are doing whatever it takes to stay ahead of the pandemic and provide the support our households, businesses and communities need to get back on their own two feet.”
The NSW economy contracted by 1 per cent in 2019-20, with negative growth of ¾ per cent projected for 2020-21, followed by a projected return to growth of 2½ per cent in 2021-22.
The Budget will make targeted investments to turbo-charge jobs over the next five years with the unemployment rate projected to fall to 5¼ per cent by June 2024 as up to 270,000 people return to the workforce.
“With so many people out of work this year and more predicted to become unemployed, we’re in a race against time to help create as many new jobs as we can,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This Budget has workers at its heart, with temporary, targeted stimulus to generate jobs and get businesses booming again.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said nine years of strong financial management had put the Government in a strong position to deploy its fiscal firepower, which would be coupled with record low interest rates, to stimulate a strong recovery through responsible borrowing.
“The risk of long-term economic damage is too great if we do not take action, so we are taking advantage of record low interest rates and a strong balance sheet to turbo-charge our recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“That doesn’t mean abandoning our firm commitment to fiscal responsibility. This Budget includes measures to chart a course back to surplus by 2024-25, and a strong economic recovery will support that goal.”
The Budget takes the next steps to secure greater prosperity for current and future generations, continuing to deliver large-scale infrastructure to build a better future, investing in our people through education and skills, and securing the quality services everyone in NSW can rely on.
Employers will get a major recovery boost with $2.8 billion in payroll tax cuts including increasing the threshold to $1.2 million to lower the cost of creating jobs, and businesses that are under the payroll tax threshold will receive $1,500 vouchers to cover government fees.
A new push to cut red tape will make it easier to run a business, and through the Government’s Jobs Plus initiative we will support companies who want to relocate their head offices to NSW or expand their jobs footprint in NSW.
The Budget also supports a broad-ranging reform agenda including planning, education and digital reform, and examining reform to the state’s property tax system.
The record investment in this Budget sets us up for a prosperous, post-pandemic NSW
Life-saving SMA medicine to be made available to Australian babies
Access to a life-saving and life-changing medicine will soon be expanded for Australian children and infants with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), thanks to a breakthrough medicines listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
From 1 December, subsidised access to the life-changing medicine Spinraza® (nusinersen) will be expanded to include children and infants genetically diagnosed with the most severe types of SMA before the onset of symptoms (pre-symptomatic).
SMA is a rare inherited genetic muscle wasting disease characterised by a loss of motor neurons. It causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting, and its most severe forms can cause paralysis and death.
Without the subsidy, families would pay more than $367,000 a year for treatment. From 1 December families and their children will be able to access this life changing medicine for $41 or $6.60 per script with a concession card.
Approximately 18 children and infants, and their families, are expected to benefit from this expanded PBS listing per year.
The expanded listing of Spinraza will allow infants and children, diagnosed with SMA through a genetic test, to start treatment prior to the onset of symptoms.
This means children and infants diagnosed with SMA will be able to commence treatment with this medicine from birth and up to three years earlier, which is so critical to address the impact of this debilitating condition.
The least amount of damage to a child’s motor neurons occurs when they are pre-symptomatic.
The medicine works by slowing progression of the disease. In many cases, it can halt the progression of the disease or significantly improve motor function.
Starting treatment early is critical to halting the impact of this significantly debilitating and life-threatening condition, and preventing irreversible impacts.
Left unaddressed, infants with SMA struggle to meet the simplest of development milestones such as holding their head up, sitting up by themselves, walking and standing.
One in 10,000 live births in Australia are affected by SMA and the disease is the number one genetic cause of death of babies under two in Australia. There is no known cure for SMA.
One in 35 people in Australia unknowingly carry the faulty SMA gene. Being a carrier does not mean you are affected by the condition.
Spinraza is the first and only treatment of its kind to be listed on the PBS for SMA. It was first listed on the PBS in June 2018, and so far over 160 Australians per year are being treated with this medicine.
This PBS listing was recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
Since 2013, the Government has approved more than 2,500 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.
The Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines when they need them, remains rock solid.
The independent medical experts on the PBAC have been considering an application to expand the listing of Spinraza for the treatment of adults. An update on these deliberations will be provided on 18 December on the PBS website at: https://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/home.
Further information on SMA can be found at: https://smaaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/SMA_2020_A4_Information_Guide-compressed.pdf
City to complete more than 2,000 metres of new and upgraded footpaths by end of financial year
City of Newcastle has completed a 400-metre section of new footpath in front of Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus, and is on track to deliver over two kilometres of new footpath by the end of the financial year.
The $800,000 Jesmond project has replaced previously unpaved sections of nature reserve, making the trip to and from school safer and easier for Callaghan Jesmond’s 700 students.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the footpath upgrade improves the accessibility and liveability of the city.
“City of Newcastle maintains nearly 1,000 kilometres of footpath across the local government area, which is roughly the distance between Newcastle and Melbourne.
“The City’s annual footpath upgrade and maintenance program will deliver over two kilometres of new paths across Newcastle by the end of this financial year, including a 515-metre footpath on Minmi Road, Maryland, and a 200-metre path on Young Road in Lambton.
“This Janet Street upgrade is a significant project which is going to be great for those at Callaghan College and importantly, many residents in this busy part of Jesmond.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen inspected the works with Callaghan College Principal Roger Macey outside campus today and said these types of works are very beneficial for pedestrians and other road users.
“Our focus is on improving public safety through improved infrastructure such as more pedestrian refuges and crossings particularly in high traffic areas such as school zones,” Cr Clausen said.
“It’s great to see these works now complete at Jesmond and I hope it makes life easier for the students and teachers who walk or ride scooters or skateboards to school every day.”
Principal of Callaghan College Roger Macey said the improvements along Janet Street will make it safer for the broader school community.
“The footpath and pedestrian crossing right in front of the school will no doubt make a difference to everyone who comes to Callaghan College, not just our students and teachers.
“These are significant improvements which will be great for us, and I want to congratulate all City of Newcastle staff involved in getting this project planned and delivered.”
For more about pedestrian and traffic improvement projects in your neighbourhood visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works
NSW LAUNCHES OUT & ABOUT VOUCHER SCHEME TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES RECOVER FROM COVID-19
NSW residents will be given $100 worth of digital vouchers that can be used at eateries and on arts and tourism attractions across NSW as part of a flagship $500 million program to help business, stimulate the State’s economy and support local jobs.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the $500 million Out & About program was designed to boost businesses hit hard by the pandemic, by encouraging people to get out and enjoy the best of NSW.
“No industry has felt the economic impacts of COVID-19 more than the hospitality, arts and tourism industries,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW acted swiftly to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 and we want to help businesses by encouraging spending within local communities, especially within the hospitality, arts and tourism sectors.”
Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total – with the program designed to encourage people to spend multiple times to support their local businesses.
Two vouchers can be used for eating in at venues such as restaurants, cafes, clubs and other food service venues, and two vouchers can be used for entertainment and recreation, such as cultural institutions, performing arts, cinemas, and amusement parks.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said Service NSW would operate a pilot of the scheme throughout December in the Sydney CBD.
“Applying for a voucher will be simple and easy and made available via the Service NSW app. We must be COVID smart as well as COVID safe and the success of this program will depend upon people continuing to follow the rules,” Mr Dominello said.
“This program is ambitious and the first of its kind in Australia. The Government will run a pilot scheme to make sure we can iron-out any issues before launching Out & About across NSW in the new year.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the introduction of a four-voucher scheme was to encourage people to open their wallets and spend across a wider range of businesses over an extended time period.
“It’s almost time to open the door on 2021 and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by encouraging people to support their local businesses through this program,” Mr Tudehope said.
Vouchers will not be redeemable for tobacco, alcohol or gambling. For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au.
To become a COVID Safe business, please register via www.nsw.gov.au.
EDUCATION WIN WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECH BOOST
From our youngest learners to those in their final years of high school, students across NSW are set to benefit from new infrastructure and schools, and upgrades to technology as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said more than $19.7 billion would be invested into providing world-class education to students right across the state in 2020-21.
“We are investing in our students who will be our future mechanics, doctors and small business owners. We’re laying the foundations and boosting the facilities that our kids need to have the best success in life,” Ms Mitchell said.
“NSW’s students, teachers and parents have faced the state’s triple crises of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 head on, adapting to how education is delivered across the state.
“We’re investing $120 million in our future generations by providing 12 months of free community preschool for our littlest learners to ensure they are well prepared to start school.
“We’re also spending $337 million to provide tutors to every public school and selected non-government schools for 2021 ensuring no student’s education suffers as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said supporting the education system and investing in boosting outcomes were paramount to a prosperous, post-pandemic economy.
“Schools have seen a year like no other, and this budget will support students from their very first years to their last. Making sure our students in preschool, primary school and high school have not fallen behind during the pandemic is key to our recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We recognise the importance of schools in the wider community, which is why we are investing $240 million over two years into regional and metropolitan school building programs.
“The programs will help schools across NSW fund projects like canteens, administration buildings and outdoor learning areas. These projects will be completed by local business, with local employees, supporting local jobs, delivering a win for the school and the wider community.”
Ms Mitchell said the budget would support students and families right across the state with a $366 million investment into the Rural Access Gap program.
“The program will connect students and teachers from some of the most remote parts of the State with the technology and tools they need to access and leverage educational opportunities,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We are also pushing on with our major reforms in education ensuring our students are prepared for life after school.
“Our history making $6.7 billion school building program grows to $7 billion. Progress continues uninterrupted with 50 new or upgraded schools already delivered this year as part of our record building program delivering 200 new and upgraded schools.”
Other education investments in the 2020-21 NSW Budget includes:
- More than $100 million for an Education Campus in Murwillumbah;
- $320 million for new primary schools at Edmondson Park, Googong and Murrumbateman; and upgrades to Carlingford West Public School, North Sydney Public School, and Picnic Point High School;
- $366 million for digital upgrades in regional schools starting with $85 million being delivered immediately;
- $158 million to install LED lights in public schools over the next two years; and
- More than $1.3 billion in flexible needs-based funding for schools for the 2021 school year.
Non-government schools will receive $1.5 billion in grant funding in 2020-21, including the Government’s commitment to provide $500 million over four years for the Building Grants Assistance Scheme for capital works projects to support enrolment growth, and $31 million towards tutors for low SES, low fee schools.