The Australian Government has extended the capital sensitivity exemption for medical imaging equipment in rural and regional Australia until 1 May 2022.
This extra time for remote practices to replace older medical imaging equipment will ensure that patients in remote areas can continue to receive Medicare benefits for diagnostic imaging.
On 1 May 2020, Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items and rules related to diagnostic imaging services were amended in line with the recommendations of the MBS Review Taskforce and the Medical Service Advisory Committee.
The changes ensure that diagnostic imaging services provided under Medicare are up to date and reflect best clinical practice.
As COVID-19 has impacted on these practices, the extra 12 month’ exemption will allow them more time to accrue finance and arrange new equipment, while ensuring that modernisation does occur.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that all Australians can access to safe, quality Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services, wherever they live.
Month: December 2020
Energy and emissions reduction deal with Tasmania
The Morrison and Gutwein governments have signed a State Energy and Emissions Reduction Deal that will create thousands of jobs and deliver secure, reliable and affordable power to the state and the broader National Electricity Market (NEM).
Under the agreement, the governments will work closely to deliver Battery of the Nation and Marinus Link projects to better connect Tasmania with mainland Australia and the NEM, while improving energy security, keeping prices low and reducing emissions.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said delivering the Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation projects are a key part of the Federal Government’s JobMaker Plan to ensure affordable and reliable energy in the east coast energy grid.
“These two projects will maintain downward pressure on electricity prices, so households can keep more of what they earn,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“They will also develop the backbone of a reliable, lower emissions National Electricity Market for the next decade and beyond.
“These projects will create 2,800 jobs which will be crucial as Tasmania continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said this deal with Tasmania demonstrates the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring households and businesses in every corner of the country can access affordable and reliable power.
“Projects like Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation can help deliver a more reliable energy system, reducing the risk of blackouts and electricity price volatility.
“Marinus Link will provide the additional interconnection needed to export the electricity generated by the Battery of the Nation projects to the mainland. In doing so, it will unlock a pipeline of new renewable energy investment, including pumped hydro energy storage.
“Energy projects like this also represent a massive economic opportunity for Australia as we recover from the COVID-19 recession.”
Premier Peter Gutwein said the MOU between the State and Federal Governments will underpin our plans to rebuild a stronger Tasmania.
“The MOU will help to further unlock Tasmania’s renewable energy potential, with thousands of jobs and over $7 billion in economic activity set to flow as a result,” the Premier said.
“Having already achieved 100 per cent self-sufficiency in renewables, Tasmania is already punching above its weight in generating low cost, reliable, clean energy for the nation, and this will help us achieve our target to double our renewable generation to 200 per cent of our current needs by 2040.”
Tasmanian Minister for Energy Guy Barnett said it confirms Tasmania’s reputation as a global leader in renewable energy.
“The anticipated increased energy interconnection between mainland Australia and Tasmania will also improve energy security and help put downward pressure on power prices, while enhancing our growing reputation for renewable energy production.”
The Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments have previously provided a combined $95 million to advance these projects.
Key components of the Tasmanian State Energy and Emissions Reduction Deal include:
Under the agreement, the governments will work closely to deliver Battery of the Nation and Marinus Link projects to better connect Tasmania with mainland Australia and the NEM, while improving energy security, keeping prices low and reducing emissions.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said delivering the Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation projects are a key part of the Federal Government’s JobMaker Plan to ensure affordable and reliable energy in the east coast energy grid.
“These two projects will maintain downward pressure on electricity prices, so households can keep more of what they earn,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“They will also develop the backbone of a reliable, lower emissions National Electricity Market for the next decade and beyond.
“These projects will create 2,800 jobs which will be crucial as Tasmania continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said this deal with Tasmania demonstrates the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring households and businesses in every corner of the country can access affordable and reliable power.
“Projects like Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation can help deliver a more reliable energy system, reducing the risk of blackouts and electricity price volatility.
“Marinus Link will provide the additional interconnection needed to export the electricity generated by the Battery of the Nation projects to the mainland. In doing so, it will unlock a pipeline of new renewable energy investment, including pumped hydro energy storage.
“Energy projects like this also represent a massive economic opportunity for Australia as we recover from the COVID-19 recession.”
Premier Peter Gutwein said the MOU between the State and Federal Governments will underpin our plans to rebuild a stronger Tasmania.
“The MOU will help to further unlock Tasmania’s renewable energy potential, with thousands of jobs and over $7 billion in economic activity set to flow as a result,” the Premier said.
“Having already achieved 100 per cent self-sufficiency in renewables, Tasmania is already punching above its weight in generating low cost, reliable, clean energy for the nation, and this will help us achieve our target to double our renewable generation to 200 per cent of our current needs by 2040.”
Tasmanian Minister for Energy Guy Barnett said it confirms Tasmania’s reputation as a global leader in renewable energy.
“The anticipated increased energy interconnection between mainland Australia and Tasmania will also improve energy security and help put downward pressure on power prices, while enhancing our growing reputation for renewable energy production.”
The Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments have previously provided a combined $95 million to advance these projects.
Key components of the Tasmanian State Energy and Emissions Reduction Deal include:
- The Morrison Government will contribute a further $93.9 million as part of the agreement for the Marinus link project;
- The creation of a joint special purpose corporate vehicle (62.5 per cent shares to Commonwealth & 37.5 per cent shares to Tasmania) that will progress the Marinus Link transmission through to a Final Investment Decision; and
- The agreement as part of the Morrison Government’s Underwriting New Generation Investments (UNGI) program to a scoping and development process for underwriting the first Battery of the Nation pumped hydro site at Tarraleah that will provide additional dispatchable electricity and energy storage to the mainland.
Battery of the Nation and Marinus Link go hand in hand. Marinus Link will enable the export of an additional 1,500 megawatts of capacity to the mainland.
The Tarraleah redevelopment is a $650 million project that could see early works commence in 2021 and is expected to create 100 new ongoing jobs and 250 jobs during peak construction.
The governments expect to announce more emissions reduction projects as part of the deal in 2021.
The economic benefits of Marinus Link for Tasmania and Victoria are estimated at $2.9 billion.
The Government is working with state and territory governments to establish agreements that accelerate cooperation on energy and emissions reduction projects.
These agreements will help deliver affordable and reliable energy to consumers, while reducing emissions and creating jobs.
In addition to Marinus Link, the Morrison Government is progressing Project EnergyConnect, VNI West, HumeLink and the QNI Interconnector upgrade. This means we are accelerating all major priority transmission projects, creating thousands of new jobs, putting downward pressure on prices and shoring up the future of the grid.
$300 million for the improvement of health for all Australians
The Morrison Government is investing $300 million in ground-breaking health and medical research projects across Australia aimed at delivering better treatments, diagnosis and care.
Today’s announcement includes $260 million for 283 research projects through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants scheme.
Associate Professor Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino will receive $1.1 million to help improve pregnancy outcomes for women by developing a screening test to identify women at risk of preeclampsia.
Associate Professor Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino, and her research team, will use large collections of human blood samples to screen for novel proteins within pregnant women’s blood. They will then use artificial intelligence to select the best biomarkers and combine them with clinical information to develop a multi-marker blood test to predict women at risk.
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy for which there is currently no cure and no way to accurately predict women at risk. The aim of this research is for all women to take home a healthy baby and to address the rate of still births.
The funding announced today will support thousands of researchers to pursue their goals over the next 3-5 years.
Ideas Grants support a broad range of research from discovery science through to clinical research, health services and public health research. This year’s Ideas Grants include 45 grants focused on cancer research, 68 grants on infectious diseases and 13 grants on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
In its second year, the Ideas Grants scheme sees equal funded rates for female and male chief investigators and one-quarter of awarded grants led by an early to mid-career researcher.
Our Government is also investing close to $6.9 million in the early careers of outstanding health and medical researchers through 64 postgraduate scholarships announced today.
The success of the medical and health research sector depends on the contribution and dedication of researchers at all phases of their careers. These two schemes combined demonstrate investment across the spectrum.
The health and medical research sector in Australia has come to the fore in 2020 and has provided exceptional support for our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as delivering on Australia’s ongoing research excellence.
These grants announced today will support our health and medical research workforce and will lead to advances in many areas of health research and medicine so that Australians of all ages have improved health.
In total, the Government directly invested a record $1.28 billion in health and medical research in 2019-20, which represented 13.6 per cent of Morrison Government investment in Australian research.
Our Government will invest a record $6.6 billion in health and medical research between 2020-21 and 2023-24.
A full list of grant recipients is available on NHMRC’s website: www.nhmrc.gov.au.
Today’s announcement includes $260 million for 283 research projects through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants scheme.
Associate Professor Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino will receive $1.1 million to help improve pregnancy outcomes for women by developing a screening test to identify women at risk of preeclampsia.
Associate Professor Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino, and her research team, will use large collections of human blood samples to screen for novel proteins within pregnant women’s blood. They will then use artificial intelligence to select the best biomarkers and combine them with clinical information to develop a multi-marker blood test to predict women at risk.
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy for which there is currently no cure and no way to accurately predict women at risk. The aim of this research is for all women to take home a healthy baby and to address the rate of still births.
The funding announced today will support thousands of researchers to pursue their goals over the next 3-5 years.
Ideas Grants support a broad range of research from discovery science through to clinical research, health services and public health research. This year’s Ideas Grants include 45 grants focused on cancer research, 68 grants on infectious diseases and 13 grants on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
In its second year, the Ideas Grants scheme sees equal funded rates for female and male chief investigators and one-quarter of awarded grants led by an early to mid-career researcher.
Our Government is also investing close to $6.9 million in the early careers of outstanding health and medical researchers through 64 postgraduate scholarships announced today.
The success of the medical and health research sector depends on the contribution and dedication of researchers at all phases of their careers. These two schemes combined demonstrate investment across the spectrum.
The health and medical research sector in Australia has come to the fore in 2020 and has provided exceptional support for our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as delivering on Australia’s ongoing research excellence.
These grants announced today will support our health and medical research workforce and will lead to advances in many areas of health research and medicine so that Australians of all ages have improved health.
In total, the Government directly invested a record $1.28 billion in health and medical research in 2019-20, which represented 13.6 per cent of Morrison Government investment in Australian research.
Our Government will invest a record $6.6 billion in health and medical research between 2020-21 and 2023-24.
A full list of grant recipients is available on NHMRC’s website: www.nhmrc.gov.au.
Helping small businesses reduce their power bills
Small businesses across Australia are getting support from the Morrison Government to cut energy costs, putting more money back in the pockets of business owners as we recover from COVID-19.
Through the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program, 336 small businesses have been awarded grants of up to $20,000 to lower their energy bills by upgrading to more energy efficient equipment, carrying out energy audits or installing energy monitoring equipment.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Government was focused on bringing down the cost of energy for small businesses.
“Small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government is focused on helping them through this difficult period, and beyond,” Minister Taylor said.
“Energy bills are a significant overhead for many small businesses. These grants will help small businesses all around Australia pay less on their energy bills, helping them keep their doors open, expand their business and employ more Australians.”
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said helping small businesses lower their energy costs is critical for them to prosper, grow and create more jobs.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local communities and the backbone of the Australian economy. Employing over 6 million Australians, our 3.5 million small businesses contribute over $418 billion to our national economy,” Minister Cash said.
“As we recover from the impacts of COVID-19, small businesses will play a key role in the Government’s plan for a stronger economy”.
“Lowering energy bills for our small businesses through the Energy Efficient Communities Program will help alleviate financial pressure and deliver the conditions they need to succeed.”
The Energy Efficient Communities Program was announced as part of the Government’s $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package to deliver on Australia’s 2030 climate commitments.
The full list of successful applicants for the small business grants is available on business.gov.au.
Civic Theatre set to come alive with new season
A lively mix of theatre, dance, music and comedy will see the Civic Theatre shrug off its disrupted 2020 season with a vibrant new schedule of shows for the year ahead.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the launch of the 2021 subscription season came just days after the NSW Government rolled back more of its COVID-19 restrictions, allowing indoor venues to increase numbers of seated patrons to 75 per cent of capacity.
“It’s an opportune time for Novocastrians to get out of the house and back into the theatre to experience the exhilaration of hearing live music or the emotional journey of live theatre in person, and to share those experiences with friends or family in a COVID Safe way,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Few industries were hit harder by the economic impact of COVID-19 than the performing arts, with live performances among the first to shut down and the last to have audience restrictions eased.
“City of Newcastle adopted a highly proactive response to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the creative and performing arts, introducing a wide range of programs and grants to support the sectors, while also continuing to plan for our inaugural flagship arts festival, New Annual, which will be held February 12-21, 2021.
“The Civic Theatre subscription season will provide another crucial boost to the embattled sector, while also delighting theatregoers with what is a perennial highlight on the arts calendar.
“I congratulate the Civic Theatre team for curating such a strong program for 2021 and encourage Novocastrians to consider taking advantage of the subscription options, which are a great way to plan a string of social occasions while making savings on the cost of a night out.”
While COVID-19 forced the suspension of most of the 2020 subscription season, Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said the new schedule provided an opportunity to reprogram many of the highlights from this year alongside some new gems for 2021.
“The season is designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes, including musicals, dramas, children’s shows, and this year features presentations from Opera Australia with Bizet’s Carmen and Sydney Dance Company’s Impermanence,” Ms Wallace said.
“It will also include standout favourites like The Wharf Revue, The Gospel According to Paul and both the Melbourne and Sydney comedy festivals, while local productions, Awkward by Catapult Dance and Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight? from Bearfoot Theatre will feature in February as part of New Annual, presented by City of Newcastle.”
The 2021 Civic Theatre Subscription Season goes on sale to the general public on Friday 18 December, following a special presale for current subscribers, which launched today.
The Civic Theatre 2021 Subscription Season brochure can be viewed at https://www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/season-2021.
KEEPING CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS COVIDSAFE
Shopping centres across Sydney should expect a visit from SafeWork inspectors, who will be dropping in to make sure shops are COVIDSafe during the busy Christmas shopping season.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson urged both businesses and shoppers to remain vigilant despite relaxed restrictions.
“Christmas is around the corner and a lot of us will be heading to the shops to stock up on presents for our friends and families,” Mr Anderson said.
“However, the risk of COVID is far from over, and we’ve got to remain vigilant, especially when in busy public areas.”
SafeWork inspectors will spend the next fortnight checking that important practices such as physical distancing and hygiene measures are being followed.
“Our visits will ensure that shopping centre management understand the requirements of the Public Health Orders that remain in place and help their tenants in meeting their obligations,” Mr Anderson said.
“NSW businesses have done an outstanding job in very difficult circumstances to help contain this virus, and we want to ensure that we don’t let our guard down.”
“We want everyone to enjoy the festive period, but let’s do it safely and continue working together to prevent the spread in our communities.”
SafeWork NSW’s will be checking that shopping centres have:
- A NSW Government registered COVID Safety Plan
- Physical distancing of customers and workers
- Adequate hygiene practices
- A cleaning schedule in place suitable to the risks of COVID-19 at the site
- Provisions in place in the event of a COVID-19 case occurring at the site
- Electronic recording of entry to premises
To find out more advice tailored to shopping centres, please visit nsw.gov.au.
FEDEX TO CONNECT WESTERN SYDNEY TO THE WORLD
The world’s largest express transportation company, FedEx Express, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSW Government that will connect the Western Sydney Aerotropolis to more than 220 countries around the world by supporting the design and development of a new freight and logistics hub.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the MoU with FedEx Express will support increased trade and export of local products through the Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport.
“The 24/7 freight and logistics hub will be a cutting-edge facility that allows fresh produce to be transported from local paddocks to international plates in under 36 hours and open up a global market for farmers and local businesses in Western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“FedEx Express has agreed to play a key role in the development of a freight and logistics hub in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. We will leverage their expertise to transform the way goods are brought from Western Sydney to the world.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the latest MoU helps ensure Western Sydney has a competitive advantage when it comes to freight and logistics.
“With the latest technology, this is an opportunity to position Western Sydney to capitalise on that advantage for our businesses,” Mr Ayres said.
“We have now signed MoUs with companies across aerospace, defence, manufacturing, agribusiness, education and logistics and are on track to create 200,000 jobs in the Western Parkland City.”
FedEx Express, Australasia vice president Peter Langley said FedEx Express is pleased to be able to work with the NSW Government to build a leading freight and logistics hub in Western Sydney.
“In today’s business environment, having a competitive edge is critical to success and with our FedEx and TNT services, we are offering customers the ability to optimise their cross-border supply chains at high speeds and without compromise on reliability,” Mr Langley said.
“With the presence of this facility, we are creating more possibilities for local businesses to reach potential new markets across the world.”
The freight and logistics hub, to be built on the doorstep of the Western Sydney International Airport, will be supported by automated technologies and include digital capabilities that are having a big impact in the way goods are moving around the world.
WESTMEAD TRANSFORMATION ON THE WAY
Detailed new plans to transform Westmead into Australia’s most significant and dynamic health and innovation district have been released by the NSW Government.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the draft Westmead Place Strategy outlines a vision for a national centre for excellence in health, research and education.
“Westmead is already Sydney’s medical capital, home to leading researchers, entrepreneurs, health workers and students, but these plans will provide the precinct with a refresh and a platform to build even further,” Mr Stokes said.
“The arrival of the Sydney Metro West will be the catalyst for major change, transforming the area with a mix of housing types, better public transport, walking and cycling connections and thousands of jobs close to homes in Western Sydney.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Westmead will become a model 21st century smart city with a vision for approximately 50,000 jobs located close to transport and homes.
“This dynamic strategy will secure Westmead as one of Australia’s most significant hubs for jobs, investment and research of the future,” Mr Ayres said.
“This will be a precinct that everyone across Western Sydney can be truly proud of.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education and Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the draft strategy will encourage new tertiary opportunities for Westmead allowing for synergies with the health cluster.
“Our strategic vision will put people at the centre of future development with a focus on pedestrian-friendly streets and new community facilities, including exploring potential new river crossings to improve access,” Mr Lee said.
“We will protect heritage buildings and find ways they can be repurposed for new community uses, where appropriate.”
Westmead has been divided into seven sub-precincts, each defined by its own purpose and distinct character to create an integrated, coherent and sustainable community.
The seven sub-precincts are:
- Westmead South Precinct: A walkable residential neighbourhood, transformed by the proposed Metro Station to increase connectivity, offering housing choice and diversity, with an urban village at its heart;
- Health and Innovation Precinct: Westmead’s engine room, defined by its world-class health, research, education and innovation facilities;
- Westmead East Precinct: A bustling neighbourhood offering housing diversity, a thriving high street along Hawkesbury Road with connections to Parramatta;
- Northmead Employment Precinct: An employment precinct that has the potential to capitalise on advance manufacturing and support health businesses. The precinct will take advantage of Toongabbie Creek to improve amenity and connections to the Health and Innovation Sub-Precinct;
- Northmead Residential Precinct: An amenity-led residential neighbourhood embracing its proximity to Toongabbie Creek;
- Northmead Enterprise Precinct: A revitalised enterprise precinct that strengthen the role of providing commercial and urban services to the local community; and
- Parramatta North Precinct: A mixed use precinct set within a highly valued heritage and parkland setting. The precinct will attract new investment and renewal with facilities in innovation, tertiary education, enterprise, vibrant public domain spaces, community and cultural uses and housing diversity.
Following finalisation of this strategy, the Greater Sydney Commission will coordinate a whole of government response to deliver on the potential at Westmead. For more information and to have your say visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/westmead
MORE GREEN DOTS IN TIME FOR SUMMER TRAVEL
More customers are being welcomed back to the public transport network today with an increase in the number of people allowed on trains, buses, ferries and light rail, in line with health advice.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said with community transmission remaining low, NSW Health recognises that transport usage will increase across the network.
“We know more people are moving around this summer and we are at a stage where we can safely let more people onto the public transport network to help people get back to jobs, recreational activities and public spaces in a COVID safe way,” Mr Constance said.
“A Waratah train will now be able to carry 86 customers per carriage, up from 68, and a typical two-door bus will be able to carry 27 customers, up from 23.”
NSW TrainLink services are already being booked to 50 per cent capacity, with additional demand being met by supplementary coach services, to maintain physical distancing when travelling long distances.
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said green physical distancing dots will continue to guide customers on the best places to sit and stand on public transport.
“We have added 1,200 extra services to the 3,300 extra services rolled out in June giving customers plenty of options when planning their travel,” Mr Collins said.
“There are three simple steps for a COVID safe public transport trip – plan ahead and check physical distancing capacity, wear a mask and find a green dot.
“Enhanced cleaning continues with 1,600 extra cleaners employed and 1.5 million extra cleaning hours carried out since March 2020, while extra staff continue to help customers move through busy stations and interchanges in a COVID safe way.
“I want to thank all the commuters and businesses who have worked with us from day one and continue to work with us to keep services safe and moving.”
Woman charged after allegedly sending threatening social media messages
A woman will face court today after being charged by counter terrorism police over alleged threats sent via social media at the weekend.
Just after 1pm on Sunday (13 December 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were contacted after a media organisation received threatening messages through social media.
An investigation was subsequently launched by the High Risk Terrorist Offenders Unit, and following inquiries, a 26-year-old woman was arrested with the assistance of officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District outside a unit complex at Mayfield about 11.10am yesterday (Monday 14 December 2020).
Investigators seized the woman’s mobile phone, which will undergo forensic examination, before she was taken to Waratah Police Station.
The Argenton woman was charged with use carriage service to menace/harass/offend and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm.
Police will allege in court that the woman sent messages to the media organisation via social media and made various threats over a story that had been broadcast.
She has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 15 December 2020).
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
Further, information relating to any criminal activity in the community can be reported to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.