The Australian Government is continuing to improve Australia’s world leading vaccination program through the Australian Immunisation Register Amendment (Reporting) Bill 2020, which enters parliament today.
This Bill supports and builds upon the longstanding action of the successive Governments to ensure that Australians have access to safe and effective vaccines and that we maintain world leading immunisation rates.
Currently, not all vaccine providers make a record in the Australian Immunisation Register (the AIR) when a vaccine is administered, which means that individuals or health professionals may not have access to vaccination history. This information could be vital in an emergency, when undertaking medical treatment and in managing an individual’s health and wellbeing.
The effect of the amendments in the Bill is to ensure all vaccination providers report vaccines given, including any COVID-19 vaccine, to the AIR.
These changes will ensure that every Australian can access their vaccine history through this safe and secure register and support the administration of COVID-19 vaccines and other lifesaving vaccines, including those against the flu and meningococcal.
While the Government strongly supports immunisation, it is not mandatory. Vaccination will remain voluntary and individuals will retain the fundamental choice to choose not to vaccinate.
The Australian Government is a strong supporter of immunisation in that it is a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of many diseases in the community that can cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions, or even death.
The Australian Government has acted decisively to secure production and supply agreements to secure early access to 134 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to Australians in 2021-21 and 2021-22 through an investment so far of $3.3 billion.
In addition to the significant investment in COVID-19 Vaccines, the Australian Government invests over $400 million each year though the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to protect Australians against 17 vaccine preventable diseases.
The NIP provides free vaccines to eligible people, including children, adolescents, the elderly, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people against conditions such as pneumococcal, meningococcal, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, shingles, human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza amongst others.
The need for the Australian Immunisation Register Amendment (Reporting) Bill 2020 arose from the need to provide more Australians with information about their immunisation history, to support the roll out of a COVID-19 vaccine and the ongoing administration of the NIP.
Australia continues to have a high level of vaccination reporting and the AIR data entered is sufficiently reliable for the administration of childhood immunisations due to a number of policy and program settings which encourage reporting.
For example, Australia’s immunisation coverage rates for children continue to be at a record high, compared to the rest of the world. As at September 2020: 94.90 per cent of all Australian children aged five years and 97.03 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged five years were fully vaccinated.
However, reporting of adolescent and other adult vaccines is lower and less reliable. For example, the reporting of vaccinations against Herpes Zoster and Pneumococcal for older Australians is around 40 per cent and reporting for seasonal influenza is around 50 per cent.
The AIR provides Australians with an Immunisation History Statement (IHS) which displays all immunisations that an individual has had that are recorded on the AIR. The IHS is can be viewed and printed via Medicare Online, myGov, the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, or My Health Record. Vaccination providers can print an IHS on behalf of their patient.
Public consultation on the proposed changes indicated a high level of community support for these improvements and it is pleasing to note that key stakeholders, including health peak bodies have indicated their public support.
Month: December 2020
Australian Hearing Hub Hosts Minister
Ground-breaking research and world-leading facilities will be on show when the Federal Regional Health Minister visits the Australian Hearing Hub and Macquarie University in Sydney today.
Minister Mark Coulton, who suffers hearing loss due to industrial deafness, said he was thrilled to see first-hand the innovation that is achieving positive outcomes for Australians with hearing challenges.
“The Australian Hearing Hub is an awe-inspiring facility and work conducted here is actively improving the lives of people in each corner of Australia and right across the globe, and the Australian Government is proud to play a key role,” Minister Coulton said.
“Whether it is developing new teleaudiology standards to help tackle the peril of distance for rural and remote Australians or studying the feasibility of cochlear implants for seniors with profound hearing loss, the Federal Government is actively engaged with The Hub to identify future opportunities while delivering services to improve lives.”
Federal Member for Bennelong, John Alexander, whose electorate is home to The Hub, welcomed the Minister’s visit and congratulated the Hub on its work to improve the lives of deaf and hearing-impaired Australians.
“There is no denying the great work of the Australian Hearing Hub and I am particularly pleased to join the Minister to have a good look at Hearing Australia’s facilities here today. It is facilities like these that make Bennelong the Innovation Capital of Australia,” Mr Alexander said.
“I congratulate Macquarie University for their leadership in hosting the Hearing Hub and look forward to continuing to work with Hub Members to ensure this facility continues its world-leading research and education.”
The Hearing Hub unites many of the nation’s brightest researchers, educators, clinicians, and innovators with expertise in linguistics, audiology, speech pathology, cognitive and language sciences, psychology, nanofabrication, and engineering sciences
The 2020–21 Federal Budget invested $21.2 million to fund key initiatives from the sector-developed Roadmap for Hearing Health.
“This investment is delivering a national awareness campaign to prevent unnecessary hearing loss; a research grants programme; workforce initiatives in both the rural and aged care sectors; projects to reduce hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; and forming telehealth standards to ensure consistent and high quality hearing services,” Minister Coulton said.
Nearly four million Australians are currently affected by some form of hearing impairment, with this number expected to increase to 7.8 million people by 2060.
“Delivering the Roadmap will help ensure Australians have access to quality services and support, which is vital to prevent further hearing loss,” Minister Coulton said.
“These measures will assist Australia to continue delivering innovative and efficient hearing services, and keep our country at the forefront of excellence for hearing support.”
Alongside the Roadmap, the Australian Government will also review and improve the Hearing Services Program, which provides hearing tests, assessments, and subsidised devices to vulnerable Australians including pensioners, veterans, indigenous Australians, those with complex needs, and people in rural and remote areas.
Background
The Australian Government continues to implement projects and strategies to improve hearing health, including:
- The national rollout of innovative hearing screening tools for primary health care clinics in remote areas, through a collaboration between Hearing Australia and the Royal Flying Doctors Service
- The development of nationally-consistent clinical standards for paediatric audiology and teleaudiology by the Ear Science Institute and Audiology Australia
- Roll-out of a free sign language interpreting service for senior Australians, being delivered by Auslan Connections
- Funding the National Acoustic Laboratory to examine the clinical and economic benefits of upgrading sound processors in clients aged over 65
- A review of the Minimum Hearing Loss Threshold used under the Hearing Services Program, also being undertaken by the National Acoustic Laboratory
Christmas festivities set to breathe life into city
A family-friendly line-up of free festive activities will spread Christmas cheer across the city throughout December, encouraging Novocastrians into the City Centre whilst supporting local businesses.
To herald the start of the festive season, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes officially lit the City’s signature 11-metre Christmas tree, taking pride of place on Market Street Lawn, adjacent to the Signal Box café.
Funded by City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate program, in collaboration with local businesses, A Very Newy Christmas presents a sleigh-full of free festive activities for families to enjoy.
One hundred and twenty full-sized Christmas trees will form a pop-up maze at Civic Park from Thursday 3 December until Friday 12 December. Entry is free for the whole family between the hours of 7am and 7pm.
Hunter Street Mall and Darby Street will host free beach themed Santa photo sessions. Families are encouraged to make their way to 153 Darby Street from 10 -15 December and 145 Hunter Street from 17 – 22 December, between the hours of 9am and 5pm weekdays, and 9am and 1pm Saturdays.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Christmas is about welcoming the community to the City Centre to enjoy the festive spirit and free activities on offer, whilst supporting local businesses.
“Without a doubt, 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. Our City’s Christmas tree and A Very Newy Christmas programming is about spreading the joy of Christmas amongst families, whilst welcoming visitors back into the City Centre,” said Cr Nelmes.
“COVID-19 has caused major disruption to our City’s events calendar in 2020, with unprecedented economic and social impacts on our community and businesses.
“By activating the City Centre and Darby Street, our goal is to attract people back in a COVID Safe way and to financially inject into local businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors.
“There is no better time than the lead-up to Christmas to shop locally and support Newcastle businesses impacted by COVID-19.
“Come and join in the spirit of Christmas by heading into our City Centre this festive season.”
For the City’s full Christmas programme visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Christmas
City’s westward move delivers new era of modern service
City of Newcastle has now closed out all four projects associated with its move to a new administrative building at 12 Stewart Avenue in Newcastle West.
With the work complete, City of Newcastle can now report to the public on the total cost of each of the four projects.
This decision is in keeping with City of Newcastle’s own long held plans and aligns with NSW Government priorities to shift the CBD west as part of the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan, while also providing modern facilities for its employees.
The Roundhouse itself will reopen in early 2021 as the city’s first five-star hotel after being sold in late 2018 for $16.5 million (plus GST).
The four projects delivered as part of the move to 12 Stewart Avenue include:
- office space for 450 staff (staff worked previously across three properties) ($8,389,994)
- a Local Emergency Operations Centre ($2,173,982)
- a Digital Library ($3,267,465)
- a Council Chamber ($1,041,824).
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the relocation was the first modernisation of the organisation in more than 40 years and had resulted in a better work environment, more efficient systems, greater flexibility and improved staff culture, providing an improved service for residents and ratepayers.
It also enabled 450 staff who had been spread across three separate buildings and 13 floors to be working together under the one roof.
“Relocating our City Administration Centre to Newcastle West has provided our staff with a new fit-for-purpose office featuring modern amenities, a flexible design, community areas and meeting rooms to encourage better communication and collaborative decision-making,” Mr Bath said.
“Our Level 1 Customer Service Centre reflects our move towards enhancing the experience community members have when transacting business with city staff and has been co-located with the most digitally advanced library in NSW to provide our community with access to state-of-the-art technologies.
“This space has been designed to double as the Council Chamber when meetings occur twice each month and is equipped with technology that allows for the community to directly participate in Council meetings without the need to leave their home.
“A purpose-built local emergency operations centre was also created as part of our move to Newcastle West, providing a dedicated space where City of Newcastle can work with emergency services including Police, SES, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance and others to deliver a coordinated response to natural disasters and other incidents.
“All these elements have come together to deliver an environment in which staff can make more collaborative decisions and therefore better serve the residents of Newcastle.”
City of Newcastle was the first of four local councils to bring their administration centre up to contemporary work standards, with a frugal approach that compares favourably to the nearby projects.
“Lake Macquarie City Council is spending $17.8m on their fit-out, Mid Coast Council has budgeted $20m and Maitland’s project is budgeted at $28m,” Mr Bath said.
“The $8.3m spent on our relocation is evidence of the frugal approach we have taken, while the move itself also allowed us to identify cost effective co-locatable opportunities such as the Digital Library and LEOC, which if built elsewhere would have come at a considerably larger expense.”
Mr Bath said the relocation paved the way for the revitalisation of the Civic cultural precinct and the sale of properties including the Roundhouse and the Frederick Ash Building.
“The sale of these buildings has allowed us to direct significantly more funds into projects that benefit the community, with the $16.5 million proceeds from the Roundhouse going directly towards our record $116 million program of upgrading and improving key community assets,” Mr Bath said.
“Another $9.5 million from the sale of three properties including the Frederick Ash building is being used to part fund the much-needed restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths, with the first stage upgrade to the pools and lower promenade starting next year.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the relocation was in line with City of Newcastle’s own long held plans, as well as NSW Government priorities to shift the CBD west as a catalytic site in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan.
“This area is rapidly transforming into Newcastle’s new CBD. We’re pleased to be part of this strategic shift, which is not only revitalising a long dormant part of the city but is also allowing new life to be injected into our civic cultural precinct and some of our most treasured community facilities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Four projects have been delivered as part of the move to 12 Stewart Avenue, including office space for our administrative staff, a brand new, state-of-the-art Digital Library, the new Council Chamber, and the purpose-built Local Emergency Operations Centre.
“This is designed to provide the best value to our residents and a seamless experience for all community members.
“I would like to thank the following Councillors who along with me voted in favour of the decision to relocate the majority of our indoor staff to 12 Stewart Avenue:
- Councillor Matthew Byrne
- Councillor John Church
- Councillor Declan Clausen
- Councillor Carol Duncan
- Councillor Jason Dunn
- Councillor John Mackenzie
- Councillor Andrea Rufo
- Councillor Allan Robinson
- Councillor Emma White
- Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz.
| Project | Final Cost |
|---|---|
| 1. Relocation to 12 Stewart Avenue Project Management (APP) Design (Inc. design & cost consultancies, certification & approvals) Staff relocation Construction (Inc. preliminaries & margin) Carpet rebate under lease terms |
$8,389,994 $273,840 $363,306 $45,384 $8,061,664 -$354,200 |
| 2. Local Emergency Operations Centre Project Management (APP) Design (Inc. design & cost consultancies, certification & approvals) Construction (materials, labour, preliminaries & margin) |
$2,173,982 $154,830 $167,924 $1,851,228 |
| 3. Digital Library Project Management (APP) Design (Inc. design & cost consultancies, certification & approvals) Construction (Inc. preliminaries & margin) |
$3,267,465 $248,483 $261,215 $2,757,767 |
| 4. Council Chamber Project Management (APP) Design (Inc. design & cost consultancies, certification & approvals) Construction (Inc. preliminaries & margin) |
$1,041,824 $83,365 $74,633 $883,826 |
| Contract administration (Graphite Projects) for all four projects, as well as associated costs including signage, flagpoles, etc | $2,749,827 |
Newcastle takes up pole position for 2022 Supercars season
Supercars will return to the city in 2022 when Newcastle hosts the season opener of the Repco Supercars Championship series.
The major motorsport event will be back on the Newcastle street circuit after a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, shifting from its previous position as the final race of the series to become the much-anticipated season opener.
The Newcastle 500 will also mark the start of what is expected to be a fierce racing rivalry between the Chevrolet Camaro and a new-look Ford Mustang, which will be adapted to suit a new ‘Gen3’ control chassis.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the return of the biggest event on Newcastle’s annual calendar, which provides a multi-million fiscal injection into the local economy and helps put the city on the world stage.
“The Newcastle 500 has been shown through independent research to benefit Newcastle’s economy by more than $30 million over the three-day event, contributing to up to 124 full-time jobs,” Cr Nelmes said.
“As part of the Supercars Australia Championship series, the Newcastle 500 also brings widespread exposure for our city. The 2019 event weekend recorded 344 media stories, reaching a domestic audience of more than 14 million people, with an estimated value of over $2 million.
“Our wider community also recognises the benefits of hosting such a landmark event, with 81 per cent of respondents previously indicating in a Hunter Research Foundation Centre survey that they believe Newcastle and the region benefit from hosting the Supercars Newcastle 500.
“We look forward to welcoming Supercars and their fans back to Newcastle in 2022.”
While the dates for the event are still to be finalised, it is expected to take place in early March 2022. As a result of the new timing, no road closures will take place prior to February 2022. City of Newcastle has also stipulated there will be a shortened timeframe for the dismantling and removal of event-related structures and equipment.
Cr Nelmes said the new timing of the Newcastle 500 was a boon for the city’s major events calendar.
“Moving the Newcastle 500 from November/December to March will diversify our major events calendar, drawing new visitors to the city in autumn while freeing up the CBD during the busy Christmas shopping period,” she said.
“The return of the Newcastle 500 cements our city’s reputation as a destination known for hosting major Australian and international events.
“No city anywhere in Australia offers what Newcastle does in terms of providing stunning aerial pictures of some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. The Newcastle 500 street circuit traces both the City’s coastline as well as its working harbour.
“In recent years the shots of Supercars racing in the foreground while our working harbour operates in the background are images that are embedded into the minds of tens of millions of motor racing fans around the world.”
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the five-year agreement to host the Newcastle 500 comes to an end next year.
“The City has varied its agreements with Supercars Australia and the NSW Government to host the 2022 event, with discussions around a longer-term arrangement to be finalised mid 2022,” Mr Bath said.
“As part of the agreement, Supercars has committed to providing a locally based community engagement manager for the event.
“City of Newcastle’s commercial terms with Destination NSW remain unchanged.”
Motorcyclist dies following crash – Lake Macquarie
A motorcyclist has died following a crash in the Lake Macquarie District earlier today.
About 2.35pm (Thursday 3 December 2020), emergency services were called to Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach, after reports a motorcycle had left the road and hit a fence after colliding with a turning vehicle.
The rider, believed to be an 18-year-old man, was treated by Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene.
The female driver of a Ford Territory wagon involved in the crash was taken to Belmont Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police Distrct have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash-cam footage or CCTV footage which might assist police with their investigation is asked to call Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Dog from Yass reunited with owner – Sydney CBD
A woman has been reunited with her dog after she was found nearly 300km from home in Sydney’s CBD this week.
About 11am on Wednesday 2 December 2020, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were called to a carpark on Elizabeth Street after reports a dog had been found in a vehicle.
Upon arrival, police located a black and white cattle dog cross in a Toyota RAV 4 and later spoke to the vehicle owner, a 28-year-old woman.
The woman told police she was travelling through Yass – in the state’s south – earlier that morning when she found the dog on the side of the road, before continuing to Sydney.
The dog was in good spirits when police found her and was examined by vets, with no injuries reported.
After extensive inquires to locate the owner, police were contacted by a woman who had heard from a neighbour via social media that her dog, Speck, had been located and was waiting for her in Sydney.
Police were told Speck had dug her way under a fence and escaped before she was found alone, on the side of the road and was driven three hours to Sydney.
Speck and his owner, a 21-year-old woman, were reunited at Day Street Police Station today (Friday 4 December 2020).
“This little pup has had quite the adventure this week and we want to thank the public for their help in reuniting Speck with her very worried owner,” Detective Inspector David El-Badawi, Crime Manager, Sydney City Police Area Command said.
The one-year old dog will return to Yass with her owner later today.
Motorcyclist dies – Lake Macquarie
Police are at the scene of a fatal motorcycle crash in Lake Macquarie.
About 2.35pm today (Thursday 3 December 2020), emergency services were called to Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach, after reports a motorcycle had left the road and hit a fence.
The rider died at the scene.
Local traffic diversions are in place, as police commence inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
No further information is available at this stage.
Aggravated break and enter – Birmingham Gardens
Police are investigating an aggravated break and enter at a Newcastle home overnight.
About 3.45am (Thursday 3 December 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Moore Street, Birmingham Gardens, after reports the home had been ransacked.
Police have been told a 20-year-old male resident was asleep in his room when he was woken by a man armed with a knife.
The armed man threatened him before taking several items from the room.
The man left through a back door.
It’s believed a mobile phone, a wallet and a silver Nissan Pulsar with NSW registration plates DAT 46B were taken.
Police established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the incident.
The man is described as being aged in his mid to late-20s, with a medium build and an olive complexion. He was last seen wearing dark clothing and a cap.
As police continue their inquiries, police are urging anyone in the nearby area who may have CCTV or dashcam footage of surrounding streets or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious between 3.30am and 4.30am today (Thursday 3 December 2020) to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Warners Bay woman charged over alleged bushfire and COVID-19 assistance fraud – SF Roche
Detectives have charged a woman over alleged fraud relating to bushfire support recovery grants.
Strike Force Roche was established in April 2020 by several police districts within the Northern Region to investigate alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster relief and small business grants through government agencies.
It’s alleged that between April and August 2020, a 27-year-old woman fraudulently applied for four Bushfire and COVID-19 Government Grants.
The woman received almost $21,000 in grants.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested the woman at Belmont Police Station about 3pm today (Wednesday 2 December 2020).
The Warners Bay woman was charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and two counts of attempt dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
She was given conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 20 January 2021.