Month: December 2020

A significant lung cancer treatment option that costs approximately $88,000 a year will soon be available for as little as $6.60 per script, thanks to its expanded listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
From 1 January 2021, Australians living with non-small cell lung cancer who have not had prior therapy will benefit from the listing of Tagrisso^® (osimertinib).
Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay close to $8,000 per script or almost $88,000 per year for this treatment. An average of 1,120 patients per year could now pay as little as $41.30 per script, or $6.60 with a concession card.
Tagrisso^® is a ‘targeted therapy,’ which works on specific types of cancer cells where a specific mutation is present, to block the growth and spread of these cancer cells.
Following expert medical advice the Government is expanding access to this breakthrough medicine for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, who have a certain type of mutation in the lungs, known as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) positive.
Tagrisso acts by blocking the activity of the EGFR, which causes growth and uncontrolled division of cancer cells.
An oral therapy, Tagrisso will help patients experience an improved quality of life, and see them able to access the treatment at home and not in the hospital.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that more than 13,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in 2020. It is the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia.
This listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
Since 2013, the Australian 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 close to $12 billion.
The Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that Alan Tudge’s appointment as Education Minister is a disturbing development.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Anyone who a federal court judge has found to have acted criminally is not fit to be a minister of the government.
“It’s no surprise that this is the sort of ‘talent’ the Prime Minister wants to elevate in the government’s efforts to defund and privatise education.
“This disturbing appointment shows how little the government values the education system.
“While many educators will be glad to see the back of Dan Tehan, sadly his replacement is no better.
“What we need is a return to free and universal early learning, fully-funded public schools, well-funded and fee-free TAFEs and universities, and serious government commitment to a world-class education system to drive our rebuild after the pandemic,” she said.
 

The Greens recognise the potential role of e-cigarettes in tobacco harm reduction but support a precautionary approach in the regulation of e-cigarettes.
The Greens support the recommendations of the majority Select Committee on Tobacco Harm Reduction report and have made some additional comments.
It is recognised that e-cigarettes can assist some to quit, but can also prolong smoking in others, and that further research of the benefits across a population, rather than on an individual-to-individual basis, is required.
The Greens share the view of many academics and public health officials that there is not enough evidence at a population level to claim that nicotine containing e-cigarettes have, on average, a positive benefit for all.
The Greens support calls to take a precautionary approach in the regulations of e-cigarettes to ensure we do not undo many years of outstanding public health campaigns to reduce the levels of tobacco smoking in Australia.
There remain deep concerns with the tobacco industry’s predatory tactics, particularly in encouraging and normalising vaping for young people and there are significant concerns about the active involvement of the big tobacco in the debate around regulatory reform of e-cigarettes in Australia.
It is very clear that e-cigarettes present an emerging market to the big tobacco industry, and subsequently they have an obvious interest in any regulatory reform that may restrict access and consumption.
The Greens support a prescription-based model for e-cigarettes containing nicotine until further research on the long-term impacts are completed.
The Greens recommend that GPs be urgently provided with opportunities to upskill in smoking cessation options, including the use of e-cigarettes, to ensure they are fully informed of all options when assisting patients.
The Australian Greens support the recommendations of the Majority Report and further recommend:
1. That any decision-making on e-cigarettes by the Australian Government be based on public health principles as part of a harm reduction approach, rather than commercial considerations.
2. The Australian Government continue to invest in evidence-based harm reduction strategies, incorporating new approaches as evidence of their long-term effectiveness becomes available.
3. Should the TGA recommend that nicotine containing e-cigarettes and nicotine liquids for use in e-cigarettes be available only via prescription, the Australian Government implement that decision and commit to reviewing that decision in two years’ time as more research and data becomes available.
4. GPs urgently upskill in smoking harm reduction and cessation options, including the use of nicotine containing e-cigarettes, to ensure they are fully informed of all options when assisting patients.
5. Prohibit the sale of nicotine containing e-cigarettes and nicotine liquids for use in e-cigarettes in convenience stores.
The full report can be found here.

“The economy continues to be underpinned by Government spending, with state governments’ investment in social housing and public transport responsible for a lot of the improved outlook,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“But wages growth has been revised down following the Government’s announcement that they will reduce public sector wage increases.”
“Unemployment, underemployment and insecure work will continue to be persistent problems.”
“Tax cuts are not going to save the Australian economy. Instead Australia needs to get on board a green recovery with government spending on clean energy.”
“The transition is happening around the world, whether the Liberals and their fossil fuel donors like it or not.”
“MYEFO also shows that coal is doomed economically, with falling global demand as the world moves away from fossil fuels at a much faster rate than Australia.”
“It beggars belief that the Liberals are throwing taxpayers money at opening up new gas fields without the consent of Traditional Owners, rather than investing in renewables and helping fossil fuel communities to transition.”
“A $50m subsidy to the fracking industry is simply a crime against our climate.”
Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said:
This is yet another opportunity squandered to do what is best for our community and the economy and put money in the hands of those who need it most.
People in our community are facing Christmas and the new year with a cut to their JobSeeker payment that is dropping people further below the poverty line.
This is cruel and it is not good economic management. There is no economic ‘recovery’ unless no one is left behind.
People on JobSeeker, including single parents, disabled people and older women are being ignored, left behind in this so-called economic recovery.
We urgently need a permanent increase to Jobseeker that is above the poverty line.
The Greens are extremely worried about the impact the uncertainty of the Jobseeker rate is having on the mental health of Australians with the Christmas and New Year periods already difficult for so many people.

Today I am announcing changes to my Ministry which I propose to recommend to the Governor-General. The decisions reflect a strong focus on stability in key portfolios, together with a commitment to bring forward new talent as Australia continues its comeback from the COVID-19 crisis.
Stability and consistency are key at this time.
Key portfolios geared to Australia’s prosperity and security remain unchanged. These include the Treasury, Finance, Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Home Affairs portfolios. The representation of the Nationals in the Ministry and associated portfolio responsibilities also remain unchanged under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack MP. The Ministry maintains record representation of women in Cabinet.
Following the appointment of Simon Birmingham as Minister for Finance in October, the Hon Dan Tehan MP will become the new Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Dan brings strong credentials to this role as a former officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as a keen sense of the particular interests of regional Australia in an open, rules-based trading system.
The Aged Care portfolio will be brought into Cabinet with the Hon Greg Hunt MP as Minister for Health and Aged Care responsible for the Government’s response to the Aged Care Royal Commission. Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck will retain responsibility for aged care services, including delivery of residential and home care packages, aged care sector regulation and Senior Australians. He will also continue as Minister for Sport.
The Hon Alan Tudge MP will become Minister for Education and Youth with a clear brief of improving education outcomes and helping younger Australians navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world. In recognition of the importance the Government places on driving down unemployment, the Hon Luke Howarth MP will become Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services.
The Hon Paul Fletcher MP will take on responsibility for urban infrastructure as Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts.
The Hon David Coleman MP will become Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for mental health and suicide prevention, a critical focus of the Government only heightened by the expected legacy of COVID-19.
Strengthening the economic team and in recognition of the growing importance of digital technology to Australia’s economic future, Senator the Hon Jane Hume will join the Ministry and take on expanded responsibilities as Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy.
Building on the demonstrated success of the Government’s housing policies in maintaining construction jobs during the COVID pandemic, the Hon Michael Sukkar MP will have expanded responsibilities as Minister for Housing, Homelessness, Social and Community Housing.
To further drive Australia’s pursuit of new economic opportunities in a post-COVID economy, Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam will become Assistant Minister for Industry Development.
The Hon Alex Hawke MP will become Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs. Australia has yet again proven in 2020 that we are the most successful multicultural nation in the world and my Government will make every effort to ensure our country remains cohesive and united into the future.
Senator the Hon Zed Seselja will become Minister for International Development and the Pacific. The Government’s demonstrated commitment to our Pacific family extends far beyond the Pacific ‘step up’ with our vaccine strategy expected to be a key part of building even closer ties in 2021.
As part of bringing new talent into the executive, I am delighted to announce that Senator the Hon Amanda Stoker will become Assistant Minister to the Attorney General.
The Hon Ben Morton MP will continue in his role as Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet and will add responsibilities as Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.
I thank the Hon Steve Irons MP for his work and passion and appreciate his making way for Andrew Hastie MP to enter the executive and become Assistant Minister for Defence.
An updated Ministry list is available at https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/ministry-list-proposed-20201218.pdf