July 2021 – Page 11

NSW COVID-19 Support Packages

The Morrison Government is upgrading its national response to COVID-19 outbreaks with increased weekly payments for households, and boosting business cash flow to get them through extended lockdowns.
The new national arrangements have been developed following close cooperation between the Commonwealth and NSW governments to ensure additional support is targeted and rolls out as quickly as possible under a new cost sharing agreement.
The support package will see an increase in the COVID-19 Disaster Payment from week four of a lockdown and a 50/50 cost sharing arrangement between the Commonwealth and the NSW Government for a new and expanded small to medium business support package, implemented and administered by NSW.
This level of support will apply nationally to any state or territory that experiences an extended lockdown beyond week three following the declaration of a Commonwealth hotspot.
COVID-19 Disaster Payment
The Commonwealth will enhance and expand the support available to NSW and other states that experience an extended lockdown.
Specifically, the Commonwealth will:

From week four of a lockdown because of a Commonwealth declared hotspot, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will increase from $500 to $600 each week if a person has lost 20 hours or more of work a week or $325 to $375 each week if a person has lost between 8 and 20 hours of work.
Make the COVID-19 Disaster Payment a recurring payment for approved recipients for as long as the Commonwealth declared hotspot and lockdown restrictions remain in place. This will remove the need for recipients to re-claim for each seven day period of a lockdown.
Amend the COVID-19 Disaster Payment so that a person would be eligible for the payment, including where they are still working, provided they have lost more than 8 hours or a full day of work.

From 18 July 2021 the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be available to those outside Commonwealth declared hotspots in NSW that meet the criteria for the payment.
The NSW Government will fund any payments outside a Commonwealth declared hotspot, with the Commonwealth continuing to fund payments to recipients in a Commonwealth declared hotspot.
This arrangement will be available to other states and territories for future lockdown as a result of a Commonwealth declared hotspot .
Information about how to apply for COVID-19 Disaster Payment can be found on the Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment
Small and medium business support payments
From week four of the lockdown, the Commonwealth will fund 50 per cent of the cost of a new small and medium business support payment to be implemented and administered by Service NSW.
Eligible entities will receive 40 per cent of their NSW payroll payments, at a minimum of $1500 and a maximum of $10,000 per week.
Entities will be eligible if their turnover is 30 per cent lower than an equivalent two week period in 2019.
The new small to medium business support payment will be available to non-employing and employing entities in NSW, including not for profits, with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million.
To receive the payment, entities will be required to maintain their full time, part time and long term casual staffing level as of 13 July 2021.
For non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, the payment will be set at $1,000 per week.
Businesses can register their interest from 14 July 2021 at www.service.nsw.gov.au
The assistance will cease when current lockdown restrictions are eased or when the Commonwealth hotspot declaration is removed.
Commonwealth business tax relief
The Commonwealth will also provide additional support through the tax system, by:

Making NSW small business grants, including the new small business payments, tax exempt.
Providing administrative relief to NSW taxpayers facing hardship, including reduced payment plans, no interest charged on late payments and varying instalments on request.

Mental health support
The Commonwealth and NSW governments will deliver a $17.35 million mental health support package for NSW including:

A boost for crisis and mental health services including for Lifeline, free 24 hour support via Sonder and counselling for perinatal depression and anxiety
Funding for mental health support for vulnerable and culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Assistance for young people through headspace, Kids Helpline and the Butterfly Foundation

The increase in support for states and territories experiencing extended lockdowns is part of the Government’s plan to secure Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 recession.
The support comes in addition to existing Commonwealth programs such as HomeBuilder, the expanded instant asset write off, additional support for retaining and training apprentices as well as record support for mental health and women’s safety announced in the Budget.
As the pandemic evolves, so too does the Government’s support for Australians across the country.

COVID-19 fighting fund to protect businesses save jobs and support NSW through lockdown

The NSW Government today announced a comprehensive economic support package worth billions of dollars aimed at helping businesses and people right across the state fight through the current COVID-19 lockdown.
The commitment will now be up to $5.1 billion, including more than $1 billion from the Commonwealth as part of a business and employee support program.
The business grants program announced two weeks ago has been expanded, with grants between $7,500 and $15,000 available to eligible businesses with annual wages up to $10 million. A new grant program has also been introduced for smaller micro businesses with turnover between $30,000 and $75,000.
Thousands of employees will also be protected with NSW committing half of a new $2.1 billion business and employee support program to be delivered together with the Commonwealth.
Businesses will benefit from payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent decline in turnover.
The NSW Government will also cover the disaster recovery payments for areas outside the Commonwealth declared hotspot from week four of the NSW lockdown providing valuable support across the state.
Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium. Residential landlords who decrease rent for impacted tenants can apply for a grant of up to $1,500 or land tax reductions depending on their circumstances.
Commercial and retail landlords will need to attempt mediation before recovering a security bond, or locking out or evicting a tenant impacted by the Public Health Order.
Commercial, retail and residential landlords liable for land tax will be eligible for a land tax concession where they reduce the rent of their tenant.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the comprehensive package had three key aims – protecting business, saving and keeping jobs through the lockdown and ensuring people had support during an uncertain and difficult time.
“We have always said we will do whatever it takes to protect the people of NSW and keep our economy strong, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“While our health and medical staff are fighting COVID-19 on the frontline, this comprehensive support package is aimed at saving jobs and protecting businesses until the lockdown is over.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government was offering support in as many areas as possible, with payroll tax cuts for eligible businesses, up to $75 million in support for the performing arts sector and $26 million for the accommodation industry.
“We saw last year during the first lockdown the importance of protecting jobs and ensuring people remained connected with their workplace,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The value of our business grants package is now up to $2.1 billion with a 50 per cent increase, there is also a new grant for those smaller businesses turning over between $30,000 and $75,000, and payroll tax waivers for eligible businesses with a payroll up to $10 million that suffer a 30 per cent reduction in turnover.
“This is a mighty package aimed at ensuring the NSW economy bends in the storm but doesn’t snap. We will come out the other side with a few scrapes but more determined than ever.”
Key components of the 2021 COVID-19 package include:

An extension to the previously announced business grants program. This means eligible businesses with Australian wages below $10 million can claim grants between $7,500 and $15,000 to cover the first three-weeks of restrictions, and takes the potential size of the program to $2.1 billion;
Up to $2 billion committed to the scheme to provide cashflow support to businesses to help them retain staff, to be delivered together with the Commonwealth.
Payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent decline in turnover, as well as payroll tax deferrals and interest free repayment plans;
A new grants program for micro businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 which experience a decline in turnover of 30 per cent. The businesses will be eligible for a $1500 payment per fortnight of restrictions.
A capped grant of up to $1,500 for residential landlords who are not liable to pay land tax who reduce rent for tenants estimated at $210 million;
Land tax relief equal to the value of rent reductions provided by commercial, retail and residential landlords to financially distressed tenants, up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability;
Introduction of legislative amendments to ensure a short-term eviction moratorium for rental arrears where a residential tenant suffers loss of income of 25 per cent due to COVID-19 and meets a range of criteria.
No recovery of security bonds, or lockouts or evictions of impacted retail and commercial tenants prior to mediation;
Deferral of gaming tax assessments for clubs until 21 December 2021 and hotels until 21 January 2021;
A $75 million support package for the performing arts sector to be administered by Create NSW;
A support package for the accommodation sector worth $26 million;
$12 million in additional funding for temporary accommodation for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and
$5.1 million in NSW funding to support mental health.

Lockdown Lifeline – Mental Health Support package for NSW

People in mandatory isolation will have access to around the clock wellbeing and mental health support and there will be increased access to services for parents, young people and multicultural communities who are struggling during the lockdown.
As part of a joint Commonwealth and NSW Government package worth $17.35 million, NSW will provide $5.1m for a range of mental health services across NSW.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said our top priority is keeping people safe during the pandemic, and not just from the current COVID-19 outbreak.
“We know this will be a very difficult period for many, the additional funding will provide more mental health support particularly for young people and families.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the COVID-19 investment will enable providers to immediately increase their support during this period.
“Looking after your mental wellbeing is vital during this time and with thousands of people and families in isolation, access to services 24 hours 7 days a week is hugely important,” Mrs Taylor said
“We know this can be a stressful time for families, parents and children, and these new and existing services available now 24 hours 7 days a week, means there is an avenue for people to reach out for advice or help.”
The joint package includes:

$7 million for headspace outreach support to parents and young people across greater Sydney – jointly funded by NSW and the Commonwealth Government;
$3 million for Sonder to provide anyone subject to a mandatory 14-day isolation order with 24/7 health and wellbeing support, with an emphasis on early intervention, for the entire duration of their isolation period – jointly funded by NSW and the Commonwealth Government;
$3 million to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, with a focus on communities in South West and Western Sydney. The funding will go to Beyond Blue and the Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to ensure multicultural communities have access to services and appropriate language translation services;
$2 million for Primary Health networks across Sydney to increase their mental health services across all areas;
$1.5 million for Lifeline to boost crisis counselling services;
$150,000 for Gidget Foundation to provide counselling services for parents suffering from perinatal depression and anxiety.
Free access for 8,000 new parents to the Tresillian SleepWell baby app, through a funding injection of $100,000.

Kids Helpline will also be able to extend online wellbeing sessions to secondary schools with a funding boost of $300,000 and the Butterfly Foundation will also receive $300,000 to provide additional support for young people with or at risk of an eating disorder and their carers.
“In the past year we have seen a rise in self harm, we want to make sure the feeling of isolation doesn’t add to this, so this funding ensures the services can cope with increased demand for mental health support.”

Housing build would support those fleeing family violence

The Greens have welcomed the release today of the Nowhere To Go report by Equity Economics, which finds that a significant build of social housing would support thousands of women and children fleeing family and domestic violence.
The report underscores the urgent need for a massive expansion in public and community housing, which the Greens continue to advocate for.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens spokesperson for Housing, said:
“How many wake up calls does the Morrison government need before it acts? We are in a housing crisis and some of the most vulnerable in our community are suffering the most because of it.
“Only a small fraction of women and children subjected to family violence are receiving the long-term housing they need. This is simply unacceptable and egregious.
“This report really underscores the importance of a mass social housing build, not just for the most marginalised and at-risk of homelessness, but also for the broader community.
“The Greens have a plan to build one million public and community homes. The government must invest in social housing with urgency. We have no time to waste.”
Senator Larissa Waters, Greens spokesperson for Women, said:
“The women’s groups I meet with all tell me the same thing: the chronic lack of domestic violence shelters, transitional housing and social housing is killing women.
“Twenty-three women have been killed by violence in 2021, and that number will only increase without substantial investment in safe and secure housing. Women are being forced to choose between violence and homelessness.
“The government pledged that May’s budget would deliver for women, and yet they only provided one-quarter of the funding that the sector says is needed to meet existing demand for support services and accommodation.
“Perhaps, with his approval rating among women collapsing, sheer political survival will motivate the PM to finally listen to women and take action on domestic and family violence.”

New agreement to help people manage life with diabetes

To mark National Diabetes Week, the Australian Government is announcing a new three-year $140 million agreement with Diabetes Australia to continue delivering the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
Diabetes directly affects approximately 5 per cent of Australia’s population. Sadly, 80 per cent of people report feeling shame or blame because they have the disease.
This year’s National Diabetes Week – from 11 to 17 July – seeks to address this, by changing the conversation and reducing diabetes-related stigma.
Diabetes Australia is spearheading the campaign, which asks people “Would you mind?” if you were made to feel ashamed because of a health condition.
The NDSS helps people understand and self-manage their life with diabetes. It also gives them access to services, support, and subsidised diabetes products like blood glucose testing strips, insulin syringes, insulin pump consumables, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products.
The NDSS currently supports nearly 1.4 million Australians with diabetes. It delivered more than 5.7 million diabetes products in 2019–20, at a cost of more than $188 million.
In addition to the NDSS, the Government subsidises essential medicines, like insulin, under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). In 2019–20, PBS expenditure on medicines for diabetes was over $632 million.
Since 2017, the scheme has also provided fully subsidised CGM products to eligible people. The Government has expanded the eligibility criteria to allow more people to benefit, and now provides fully subsidised CGM products to:

children and young people, under 21 years of age, with type 1 diabetes
children and young people with conditions very similar to type 1 diabetes, such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and neonatal diabetes, who require insulin
women with type 1 diabetes who are planning for pregnancy, pregnant or immediately post-pregnancy
people with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older who have concessional status.

These changes mean more than 58,000 Australians with type 1 diabetes are eligible to access CGM products, with funding of more than $300 million over four years.
The new agreement with Diabetes Australia also secures the future of successful programs which are making a real difference for people with diabetes, including:

KeepSight, a program to help prevent diabetes-related blindness by making it easier for people with diabetes to get their eyes checked
Diabetes in Schools, which provides nationally consistent information and training for parents and families, principals, school staff and health professionals, so students with type 1 diabetes can be supported to manage their condition at school, and
FootForward, a new program to help people with diabetes understand the importance of getting their feet checked, to avoid foot problems that can lead to amputation.

The Government’s commitment to supporting Australians with diabetes extends well beyond the NDSS.
We recognise the importance of clinical research and how it provides an important opportunity to identify better ways to prevent, treat and manage diabetes.
Since 2010, the National Health and Medical Research Council has provided $626 million for diabetes research. Since its inception, the Medical Research Future Fund has invested $78 million in diabetes research. This includes $25 million to JDRF Australia (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) for the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network.
Work is also under way on an updated Australian National Diabetes Strategy to outline the national response to diabetes and better coordinate and target existing resources across all levels of government. The strategy will span 2021–2030 and is expected later this year.

Australia’s first accredited training for health practitioners and frontline workers to improve responses to victims of sexual violence

Monash University has developed Australia’s first training course accredited by multiple professional bodies to help health professionals and frontline workers better recognise and respond to victims of sexual violence.
Over the next 18 months the training will be delivered to hundreds of health professionals including GPs and nurses in rural and remote areas who work regularly with patients at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence.
Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston visited Monash University’s Department of Forensic Medicine which received $4.5 million from the Morrison Government to develop and implement the training across Australia in partnership with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
“It is vital that when someone discloses an experience of sexual violence their disclosure is handled with care and this training arms healthcare professionals with that expertise,” Minister Ruston said.
“Course participants will learn about all forms of sexual violence and how to identify risk factors and respond to disclosures in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways, including developing an understanding of referral pathways, protective support services and justice options.
“Importantly the training covers how to identify medical presentations and diagnoses that may be indicators of sexual violence so we can intervene sooner and ensure victims get the support they need immediately.”
Federal Member for Higgins Katie Allen said the new training package has clearly met demand with 77 expressions of interest received from health professionals for the first unit on offer which was already at capacity with 25 people enrolled.
“What sets this training a part is that each six-hour unit will be delivered over a six-week period and will accrue Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points towards a health practitioner’s annual professional development registration requirement,” Dr Allen said.
“This initiative is a significant step in changing the dial with how medical practitioners can identify and better support women traumatised by violence.”
Future course participants will also include social workers, youth workers, Indigenous frontline workers, teachers, police and corrections staff, psychologists, counsellors, disability workers, legal professionals, aged care workers, not-for-profit support organisation staff, community and faith leaders, and human resources professionals.
The curriculum lead for this project, Associate Professor David Wells, Senior Education Coordinator for Monash University’s Department of Forensic Medicine, said sexual violence was pervasive, destructive and criminal behaviour and impacts the lives of thousands of Australians every year.
“A large amount of my professional life has been spent assisting victims in the days and weeks after they have experienced such an assault, and for many victims, life never returns to normal,” Associate Professor Wells said.
“The physical, emotional and social impacts can be brutal and crippling, and the damage is not confined to the victim. There can be long term negative impacts to the next generation, to communities, and wider society.
“While there has been a lot of work done on improving frontline workers’ understanding of domestic and family violence, there is limited awareness of how to recognise and respond to disclosures of sexual violence in ways that support recovery.
“This program is a key element in early intervention and improving frontline workers’ ability to provide trauma-informed care and planning to support long term recovery.”
The first unit of face-to-face training will be delivered via Zoom on 16 August 2021 and has been accredited by multiple professional bodies including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the College of Emergency Medicine and the College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
Each module will be supported with practical guidelines and assessment tools, and units two and three are expected to be delivered later this year.

National Cabinet Statement

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
National Cabinet discussed the outbreak in Greater Sydney and the additional measures introduced by the New South Wales Government to stop the spread of the virus. All leaders expressed their full support for NSW to get on top of the outbreak. National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth’s extension of the COVID-19 Disaster Payments for Greater Sydney.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 30,955 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 910 people have died. More than 21.7 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 727,763 tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 185.4 million cases and sadly over 4 million deaths, with 514,654 new cases and 9,457 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world. National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth PPE and vaccine support for the Pacific and Indonesia to address growing outbreaks.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. As of yesterday, 8,871,572 doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Australia, including 164,773 doses in the previous 24 hours. In the previous 7 days, 901,419 vaccines have been administered in Australia.
To date, more than 32.2 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 55 per cent of over 50 year olds and over 72 per cent of over 70 year olds. More than 10 per cent of Australians 16 years of age are fully vaccinated including more than 20 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19 in a number of locations and of both the Alpha and Delta variants.
Professor Brendan Murphy noted that Australia has built significant health system capacity since the beginning of the pandemic with over 2,000 ventilator capacity and 7,500 ICU bed capacity.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided a detailed briefing on the vaccination program.
National Cabinet welcomed the increased Pfizer supplies and detailed supply plans provided to states and territories. Australia will bring forward Pfizer doses to around 1 million per week from 19 July, this is an increase from an average of 300,000 to 350-000 per week in May and June. Pfizer supplies will increase from 2.8 million doses for July to 4.5 million doses for August 2021. This will mean increased access for Australians through state and territory vaccination clinics, Commonwealth vaccination clinics and 1,300 primary care vaccination sites.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 16 July 2021.
National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response
The Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Phil Gaetjens, provided an update on the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce report and the Doherty modelling for the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response. To take into account economic and other perspectives, Secretary Gaetjens’ work is being coordinated with Commonwealth, state and territory Treasuries, Health Departments and First Secretaries Departments.
Aged Care Workers
All state and territory leaders, with the exception of Victoria, agreed to implement state public health orders or similar state and territory instruments to mandate vaccination of aged care workers by mid-September 2021, with limited exceptions. This is consistent with the approach taken for mandating influenza vaccinations for aged care workers.
In Victoria, an independent decision on mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for aged care workers rests with the Chief Health Officer in Victoria.
National Cabinet noted that the Commonwealth’s tender for aged care remains open for facilities to provide on-site vaccinations and this is expected to provide more than 25,000 workers, with a further process underway to support localised hubs in partnership with the aged care sector.
Mandatory Vaccinations for Disability Workers
National Cabinet agreed to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s (AHPPC) advice encouraging residential disability support workers to have their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, and in August 2021, consider mandating vaccination for disability workers by 31 October 2021.
The National Cabinet:

strongly encourages all disability support workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect their own health and the health of the people for whom they are caring
notes the AHPPC will consider the evidence for mandatory vaccination for disability support workers in August 2021 following redoubled efforts to encourage uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, including by giving disability support workers priority for appointments and improving communications to the sector, and taking into account an updated assessment by AHPPC of COVID-19 risk in a range of disability residential settings
notes in August 2021 the AHPPC will consider making it mandatory for disability support workers who support NDIS participants in high risk disability residential settings, to have had at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by 31 October 2021.

Vaccination arrangements for mobile workforces
National Cabinet agreed to the AHPPC advice strongly encouraging vaccination in sectors with high mobility, such as aviation, resources and freight. The Coordinator General of Operation COVID Shield, Lieutenant General John Frewen DSC AM, continues to discuss the vaccination rollout with business groups and will continue to engage with the sectors to maximise uptake.
International passengers
National Cabinet noted progress to implement decisions taken at its last meeting regarding international passenger arrivals.
The Commonwealth has informed airlines that international air passenger arrival caps will be temporarily halved by 14 July 2021. The following cap arrangements will commence by 12.01am Wednesday 14 July and end by 11.59pm Tuesday 31 August 2021, subject to review by the National Cabinet before the end of August:

New South Wales – 1,505 per week (215 per day);
Queensland – 650 per week (including surge capacity);
Victoria – 500 per week;
South Australia – 265 per week; and
Western Australian – 265 per week.

The Commonwealth has increased the number of facilitated commercial flights (FCFs) into Darwin for quarantine at the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs. To support returning Australians to access flights, 29 FCFs are being arranged for July and August.
The Commonwealth is closely monitoring the impact of the temporary cap reductions and will provide additional support as necessary through the International Freight Assistance Mechanism to ensure the maintenance of essential freight lines.
National Cabinet agreed that COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended and should be available for all outbound travellers under the Australian Vaccination Strategy.
Quarantine arrangements for returned travellers
National Cabinet noted the AHPPC paper on quarantine arrangements for vaccinated returned travellers (AHPPC Statement for Public Health Management of Persons Fully Vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2) and agreed to commence National Cabinet pilots of home quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers who had been vaccinated in Australia, with an Australian approved vaccination, arriving from low and medium risk countries..
South Australia has committed to commence the first trial.
To enable these trials the Commonwealth will update the Australian Travel Declaration (ATD) from 16 July 2021 to include information on inbound arrivals vaccination status. This will include date, country, brand and dose of COVID-19 vaccination. This ATD information will be provided to states and territories through the National Incident Centre from 16 July 2021 as per existing protocols, supporting decisions on pilot quarantine arrangements by states and territories.
Data Sharing Intergovernmental Agreement
National Cabinet today agreed and signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on Data Sharing (IGA), developed by Data and Digital Ministers. The IGA gives effect to National Cabinet’s commitment to share data across jurisdictions as a default position, where it can be done safely, securely and lawfully. The work program will be finalised by Data and Digital Ministers in consultation with portfolio ministers.

Inspirational Newcastle citizens raise flags at City Administration Centre

City of Newcastle’s 2021 Citizen of the Year Award recipients have led the inaugural flag-raising ceremony at 12 Stewart Avenue in recognition of their significant roles in our community.
The flagpoles were installed with specialist lighting as part of the fit-out of the City Administration Centre, allowing the flags to fly permanently day and night.

It follows the raising of all six flags at Newcastle City Hall in May, including, for the first time, the Torres Strait Island flag, following the five year project to restore the façade of City Hall.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath were joined by Citizen of the Year Professor Kelvin Kong and his four-year-old daughter Ellery, Senior Citizen of the Year Jaci Lappin, 2019 Young Citizen of the Year Dr Bhavi Ravindran, and Community Group of the Year representatives Janice Musumeci and Evan Reid from Hamilton Business Association Inc, in raising the Australian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island, United Nations, New South Wales and City of Newcastle flags for the first time at the City’s new headquarters.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was a proud and historic moment to see all six flags flying at both of the City’s civic buildings.
“Newcastle’s City Hall was the first civic building in the country to fly the Aboriginal flag when the then Lord Mayor Joy Cummings raised the flag in 1977, and earlier this year the Torres Strait Islander flag was raised atop City Hall for the first time,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I am proud of our city’s legacy, and to be able to share this moment today with our Citizens of the Year, who are each creating their own legacies for Newcastle.”
The flag-raising ceremony completes the City Administration Centre’s move to Newcastle West to deliver a new era of services in one central location, including office space for 450 administrative staff and award-winning Community and Civic Hub, with the co-located Digital Library, Council Chamber and Customer Service Centre winning first place in their respective categories at the recent New South Wales Local Government Awards.
It also features a purpose-built Local Emergency Operations Centre, 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.
Co-locating a range of facilities at the new City Administration Centre is resulting in more efficiencies and better customer service, as well as access to one of the most digitally advanced libraries in NSW.

Expanded Covid-Safe Check-In mandate takes effect

Customers and businesses are reminded that from today the use of the NSW Government’s COVID-Safe Check-In will be mandatory at most workplaces and retail businesses in the State.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said check-in information from these additional venues is critical to support the work of NSW Health contact tracing teams in the fight against the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.
“This is a proportionate and critical step in bringing the pandemic under control and getting the community out of lockdown. We need to think of checking in as a reflex action when visiting venues,” Mr Dominello said.
“These measures will enable us to identify exposure sites with greater precision and speed and ensure contact tracers have instant access to reliable customer records to help keep the community safe.
“The Service NSW app is easy to use, safe and fast. It only takes seconds to scan the QR code and for businesses to check the green tick.”
The expanded check-in rules will also apply to staff and visitors such as maintenance workers, cleaners, and delivery drivers.
Hospitality businesses will also need to extend the use of the COVID-Safe Check-In to all customers including for takeaway orders.
Businesses that fail to comply with the new Public Health Order requirements may be subject to fines and in case of repeated breaches, temporary closure orders.
“While most businesses and customers do the right thing, anything less than gold standard is not good enough. We have a shared responsibility to keep the community safe,” Mr Dominello said.
“We will not tolerate businesses and customers who refuse to comply with the mandate. Inspectors have been asked to monitor the situation alongside the NSW Police.
“Customers are ready for this. There are more than 5.7 million active users of the Service NSW app, which is the overwhelming majority of the adult population.”
The information captured by the COVID-Safe Check-In can only be accessed by NSW Health for the purpose of contact tracing. It is deleted after 28 days.
More information regarding the expanded COVID-Safe Check In mandate including affected businesses and industries can be found on nsw.gov.au.
Businesses who need to register for the NSW Government QR code can find the application form and more information at https://www.nsw.gov.au/register-your-business-as-covid-safe
For those without a digital device, businesses must provide a tablet or other device to assist customers complete the online check in form.

Drivers reminded to slow down in school zones

Drivers are being reminded to slow down and take extra care with school zones back in force across New South Wales from today.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said while most students in Greater Sydney are learning from home this week, schools remain open for those who need to attend and school zones are still enforced from the first day of term.
“The 40 kilometre an hour school zones are now in force and we need everyone to be vigilant as schools will remain open for students and families who need it,” Mr Constance said.
“Drivers will need to slow down and stick to the reduced speed limit. It’s also important to remember when you see those flashing lights on the back of a bus, slow down and keep an eye out for children.”
Executive Director of the Centre for Road Safety Bernard Carlon said while school zones are one of the safest places on the road network, there have been two school zone crashes over the past two years, resulting in the deaths of two children.
“Students in regional NSW are back in the classroom this week and its important drivers remember the zones are in place at all schools across the state from this morning, even if there is a pupil free day,” Mr Carlon said.
“Every NSW school has at least one set of flashing lights to help keep children safe around schools but we still need everyone to pay extra attention when driving in these zones.”
Higher fines and demerit points also apply to certain driving and parking offences committed within school zones.
The Government is also investing $18.5 million to provide 300 new School Crossing Supervisors, 275 of which are already on the ground offering more protection for children and improved visibility of crossings for drivers.