Month: September 2021

The Greens say the Prime Minister should dump Christian Porter from his Ministry, and that the so-called “investigation” into whether the secret donation is a breach of Ministerial Standards is yet another delaying tactic from a government allergic to transparency and accountability.
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
“It’s patently obvious that Christian Porter has breached the PM’s own Ministerial Standards, and punting it to Gaetjens is clearly a delaying tactic, given his form.
“The Prime Minister’s Ministerial Standards prevent a Minister from seeking or encouraging gifts in their personal capacity and note the need for declaration and transparency. It is not acceptable for a Cabinet Minister to accept money without having to declare how much it was and who it was from.
“The PM should stop protecting his mates and simply dump Porter from the Ministry. If he doesn’t do that, Greens leader Adam Bandt will move a motion of no confidence in Minister Porter when parliament resumes, and I will do the same in the form of a censure motion in the Senate.
“We also need to know who set up this blind trust, who contributed to it and how much was given. That’s why the Greens will use all parliamentary levers available to try to bring the transparency and integrity that is lacking in this faux disclosure.
“Yesterday I wrote to the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, seeking an investigation into whether the failure to disclose the source of the funds is in breach of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018. If it is not a formal breach, but there is any concern of possible influence, I have asked the Secretary to refer the matter to the Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests.
“I have also asked the Chair of the Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests whether that Committee can compel Minister Porter to disclose the identity and amounts of donors. If the answer is as I fear – that the rules don’t require that – Adam Bandt and I will move for changes to the Register of Interests rules in both chambers to ensure that ‘blind trusts’ cannot be used to obscure the identity of donors.
“This government has no regard for parliamentary standards and no care for the damage it’s doing to public confidence in our democracy.
“The hypocrisy is shocking, when Liberal backbenchers have been on the attack against charities, NGOs and Voices for Independents campaigns claiming public interest in greater transparency.
“This whole sorry saga is yet more proof that we need a federal corruption watchdog and much stronger donations caps and disclosure limits.”

The Morrison Government is investing $10 million in research projects using the latest digital and mobile technology to improve primary health care delivery.
Australian researchers can now apply for grants to undertake this critical research through the landmark Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Two areas of primary health care research will be funded – one to test and implement new applications of existing wearable electronic devices, and the other to examine new ways to deliver point-of-care testing, particularly for those in rural and remote areas.
Whilst most patients in Australia can access pathology testing services, point-of-care testing has the potential to significantly enhance access to diagnostic technologies and clinical management models, including patient engagement, compliance, safety, and satisfaction.
By further understanding wearables, it’s hoped that digital health will allow individuals to better manage their own health and lifestyle as part of a coordinated care with their GP, requiring fewer visits to their GP.
Research is the key to better health care and treatments – and the Australian Government is investing record amounts in Australian health and medical research.
Our Government is committed to using digital information, as well as new health technologies and tools, to remotely deliver quality, convenient health care to Australians, regardless of location.
The grant opportunity will be managed through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). It is funded over two years from 2021–22 to 2022–23.
The grant opportunity is under the MRFF Primary Health Care Research Initiative. This Initiative provides $45 million over nine years to enable or support an increase in Australia’s evidence base in primary health care through research to improve service delivery and patient outcomes and translate this knowledge into action.
The Government’s $20 billion MRFF is a long-term, sustainable investment in Australian health and medical research helping to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to the sustainability of the health system.

The Morrison Government has commended workers across Australia’s aged care sector for their extraordinary commitment to protect themselves and those they care for.
As the first sector to benefit from a national approach to mandatory vaccinations, staff at residential aged care facilities nationwide have shown leadership and a willingness to put others first.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the uptake in vaccinations has provided a blueprint for others to follow.
“Residential aged care workers are leading the nation’s overall vaccination rates,” Minister Hunt said.  “It is encouraging that almost all residential aged care workers have taken action to protect themselves, their communities and the senior Australians in their care.
“It is a reflection of the commitment of the workforce and the partnership between the Government, aged care peaks and unions in supporting the mandatory vaccination order.”
While every life lost to COVID-19 is tragic, the increasing rate of vaccination across the aged care workforce has had a clear impact when the number of deaths in residential aged care this year are compared to the first wave of the virus in 2020.
To date, 95.8 per cent of residential aged care workers have received a first dose of a COVID‑19 vaccine. 76.9 per cent of workers are fully vaccinated.
These rates are higher than those across the community and reflects the determination of staff and administrators.
It also represents one of the highest workforce vaccination rates in the world.
Careful compliance measures will take effect once weekly figures are updated on 22 September, in line with the state and territory public health orders on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in residential aged care.
Facilities where employees are yet to complete their vaccination will now become the focus of further specific in-reach clinics.
The public health orders give effect to National Cabinet’s decision on 28 June 2021 to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory in residential aged care, informed by the expert medical advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, expressed his thanks to the aged care workforce, providers, provider peak bodies and worker representatives for their efforts.
“It has been a significant effort from all concerned,” Minister Colbeck said. “I thank them and congratulate them.”
He said the next step was to ensure providers correctly reported vaccination rates and any authorised exemptions via the My Age Care Portal.
“The Government, through the Department of Health and with the support of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, will engage directly with providers and individual facilities to discuss the vaccination and exemption data to clarify if there are any unvaccinated workers or where there may be exemptions that may apply,” Minister Colbeck said.
“While the data shows only a small number of workers may choose to not be vaccinated and leave the sector, facilities will need to demonstrate measures are in place to ensure continued quality of care and appropriate COVID-19 preparation and risk management.
“This will be done in a careful and constructive manner.”
Facilities will be required to confirm and implement strategies for addressing non-medical exemptions and ensuring plans are in place for workers yet to be vaccinated within a limited period.
Approved providers are responsible for ensuring the ongoing delivery of safe and quality care to residents at all times – including staffing their services appropriately.
Where providers experience a shortage of staff, there are a range of options available including to call on or expand arrangements with external recruitment agencies to ensure their services are adequately staffed.
Providers of facilities which fail to meet the requirements may face regulatory action via the Commission or penalties in line with state or territory public health orders.
The mandatory vaccination deadline and increasing vaccination rates in the community also marks an important opportunity for aged care administrators to review their rules around visitation, ensuring residents, particularly those with dementia, have access to family and friends.
Providers have an important responsibility to support visitation by adopting screening protocols, encouraging the use of masks, and monitoring the use of common areas to support social distancing.
Providers can access Aged Care Visitation guidelines here.
The Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19 can be found here.

To help support Australians living with and recovering from a traumatic brain injury, the Morrison Government is launching the latest round of the traumatic brain injury grants, which opens today.
Medical research is our best hope of discovering better diagnosis and treatments to help Australians with brain injuries and this $4 million grant opportunity will boost research in this field.
The funding will support research projects to improve care for people with a traumatic brain injury as well as prevent and treat sports-related concussion.
More than 700,000 Australians have a brain injury, which can limit and restrict participation in daily life.
Three in every four people in Australia with brain injuries are aged under 65.
As many as two out of every three acquired their brain injury before the age of 25. Three-quarters of people with a brain injury are men.
Traumatic brain injury can be caused by an accident or trauma, a stroke, a brain infection, alcohol or other drug abuse, or by diseases of the brain like Parkinson’s disease.
The grants will be available in two streams.

• Stream 1 funding is worth up to $3 million over 3 years for a national consortium to identify ways to improve care for mild traumatic brain injury.
• Stream 2 funding is worth up to $1 million over 3 years to develop and implement new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sports-related concussion.

This funding is part of the Traumatic Brain Injury Mission.
The Mission, a research funding program under the Australian Government’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund, is investing $50 million over 10 years from 2019–20 to improve the lives of patients with traumatic brain injury.
The goal of the Mission is to better predict recovery outcomes after a traumatic brain injury, identify the most effective care and treatments and reduce barriers to support people to live their best possible life.
The Government also welcomes the release today of the Traumatic Brain Injury Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan.
Developed by the Traumatic Brain Injury Mission Expert Working Group, led by Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, the Roadmap and Implementation Plan will guide the research investment strategy for the Mission to help achieve its goal.
The Government thanks Professor Fitzgerald and the Expert Working Group.
The roadmap and implementation plan, along with more information about the Traumatic Brain Injury Mission, including the Expert Working Group, international review and national consultation can be found by following this link to the Traumatic Brain Injury Mission | Australian Government Department of Health
For more information about the grant round and to how to apply please visit www.grants.gov.au

The contract for major airside pavement works, including the runway and taxiways, at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport has been awarded to the CPB Contractors and ACCIONA joint venture.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the contract award was an important step in the development of Sydney’s new airport.
“Today’s announcement is yet another major milestone in the delivery of one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Australia,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The Morrison Government is getting on with delivering this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project which, together with the surrounding Aerotropolis, will be a driver of jobs and economic growth and reflect the pride and aspirations of the people of Western Sydney.
“We’ve spent several years preparing the airport site, including moving 18 million cubic metres of earth to date, and the awarding of this contract means that from next year construction on the new airport runway and taxiways can begin.”
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said the awarding of this major contract meant activity on the site would further ramp-up the delivery of Western Sydney International Airport, which was now becoming a reality.
“With the contract for these major pavement works now locked in, billions in economic activity can continue to progress and many more of the thousands of direct and indirect jobs set to be created from the project can flow at a time when stimulus in Western Sydney is more critical than ever,” Minister Birmingham said.
“We are also on track to begin construction of the integrated passenger terminal at the end of this year, which will have the capacity to handle up to 10 million passengers a year when the airport opens in 2026.
“This project is a vote of confidence in Australia’s future, providing a reminder that we will return to a world of air travel for both business and pleasure.”
Construction of the 3.7-kilometre runway and rapid-exit taxiways will commence in 2022 and is expected to support more than 1,200 direct jobs.
The Morrison Government has committed $5.3 billion to the delivery of Western Sydney International Airport and $9 billion for the vital rail and road links that will transform the region. This includes the $3.5 billion for new major road infrastructure and upgrades under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan and $5.25 billion towards the first stage of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport rail link.
Images and footage of the runway site including a fly through animation can be accessed at: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/IsXRoNRI93

South Australia will spearhead a major expansion of Australia’s naval capabilities, supporting thousands of jobs and advancing the state’s shipbuilding expertise.
A number of naval projects have been confirmed for South Australia, following the announcement today of a new enhanced security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The first initiative under the partnership, known as AUKUS, is to acquire nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, which are intended to be built in South Australia.
The Morrison Government has also approved a Life-of-Type Extension to the Collins class submarine fleet from 2026 in South Australia, and confirmed that the Full-Cycle Docking of the Collins class will continue to be conducted at Osborne. Up to $6.4 billion will be invested in these works, and around 1,300 jobs supported in South Australia.
The Government will also invest up to $5.1 billion in upgrades to the Hobart Class destroyer combat management system upgrades at Osborne from 2024, creating 300 jobs in the state.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investments reinforced the Government’s commitment to South Australia’s shipbuilding industry.
“This expansion of Australia’s naval capabilities will strengthen national security, boost our sovereign workforce and support thousands of jobs in the South Australian industry,” the Prime Minister said.
“South Australia is home to some of the most skilled shipbuilding workers in the world, they have the know-how, ingenuity, industrial knowledge and determination that is required to provide our Defence Force with the very best capability.”
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Government’s investments would ensure Australia maintained a strong and agile submarine capability for decades.
“The Collins class submarine to this day remains one of the most capable conventional submarines in the world,” Minister Dutton said.
“The planned Life-of-Type Extension, through the replacement of key systems, will help deliver Defence’s strategic objectives.
“The upgrade to the Aegis combat management system will ensure our fleet of Hobart class air warfare destroyers maintain their capability-edge into the future.
“Both of these projects announced today are vital for Defence’s ability to act with greater independence in an increasingly contested strategic environment.”
Minister for Finance and Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham said the state would continue to benefit from the Morrison Government’s sovereign and continuous naval shipbuilding program.
“South Australia is the engine room of naval shipbuilding in this country,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Full-Cycle Docking and Life-of-Type Extension at Osborne will ensure we retain our skilled shipbuilding workforce, and will continue to create opportunities for local businesses to engage with the defence industry.
“In addition, the up to $5.1 billion investment in upgrading the Hobart class combat management system will create extra economic activity as well as around 300 jobs in the state.
“Conducting these sustainment projects in Osborne, on top of the building of frigates and submarines will ensure South of Australia continues to be the epicentre of naval shipbuilding in this country.”
Collins class submarine HMAS Farncomb will be the first to undergo a Life-of-Type Extension when it enters its next Full-Cycle Docking in 2026.

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have agreed to the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership – AUKUS.
The security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region have grown significantly. Military modernisation is occurring at an unprecedented rate and capabilities are rapidly advancing and their reach expanding. The technological edge enjoyed by Australia and our partners is narrowing.
AUKUS will build on the three nations’ longstanding and ongoing bilateral ties, and will enable the partners to significantly deepen cooperation on a range of emerging security and defence capabilities, which will enhance joint capability and interoperability. Initial efforts under AUKUS will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities.
This is an historic opportunity for the three nations, with like-minded allies and partners, to protect shared values and promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
AUKUS will complement Australia’s network of strategic partnerships, including with our ASEAN friends, our Pacific family, our Five Eyes partners, the Quad and other like-minded partners.
First initiative under AUKUS
The first initiative under AUKUS is for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarine technology, leveraging decades of experience from the US and UK.
Under AUKUS, the three nations will focus immediately on identifying the optimal pathway to deliver at least eight nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
Over the next 18 months, Australia, the UK and US will intensely examine the full suite of requirements that underpin nuclear stewardship and demonstrate a clear pathway to becoming a responsible and reliable steward of this sensitive technology. Australia will establish a Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce in the Department of Defence to lead this work.
Nuclear-powered submarines do not have the same limitations that face conventional submarines on weapons storage, speed and endurance. They can stay completely submerged for many months, limiting the opportunities for detection by adversaries.
As a three-ocean nation, it is necessary for Australia to have access to the most capable submarine technology available. As a nation, we are ready to take the step to pursue the most advanced submarine technology available to defend Australia and its national interests.
Australia has no plans to acquire nuclear weapons and this proposal will remain consistent with Australia’s longstanding commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. All three nations are deeply committed to upholding leadership on global non-proliferation.
The Government’s intention is to build the nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia, maximising the use of Australian workers.
Building the submarines in Australia is the best way to develop a strong and effective sustainment industry, which will enable us to meet every requirement to safely operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.
Attack class submarine program
The pursuit of nuclear-powered submarine technology means that Australia will no longer proceed with the Attack class conventional submarine program with Naval Group.
The Government would like to thank the Attack class submarine workforce, Naval Group, the Government of France and Lockheed Martin Australia for their efforts to date. However, accelerating changes to regional security make conventional submarines unsuited to our operational needs in the decades ahead.
The Government will actively work with industry to ensure the people and skills developed under the existing program are not lost to the Government’s Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise as we establish a new program to support the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to the Navy.
The existing submarine workforce are prime candidates for the unprecedented work that needs to be performed across the Enterprise over the coming decades, where we will rely on their expertise more than ever.
The Government will partner with our Australian-owned sovereign shipbuilder, ASC, to manage and implement a new Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool.
The Government is committed to finding a role within the Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool for each and every skilled shipbuilding worker impacted by this announcement.
The Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool will re-deploy the existing shipbuilding workforce throughout current and new shipbuilding programs, while building the nuclear-powered submarine skills that will be crucial for the success of the nuclear-powered submarine program.
This decision was not taken lightly. Our partnership with the Government of France and Naval Group on the Attack class conventional submarine program would have resulted in the most capable and lethal conventional submarine ever built.
As likeminded liberal democracies, Australia and France share a common commitment to the rules-based global order that has delivered stability and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific.
We look forward to continuing to work closely and positively with our French counterparts. France is a key friend and partner to Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
Other capabilities
The Government will also acquire additional long-range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.
Throughout the decade, Australia will rapidly acquire long-range strike capabilities to enhance the ADF’s ability to deliver strike effects across our air, land and maritime domains.
These include:

• Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, to be fielded on our Hobart class destroyers, enabling our maritime assets to strike land targets at greater distances, with better precision.
• Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (Extended Range) will enable our F/A-18 A/B Hornets and in future, our F-35A Lightning II, to hit targets at a range of 900km.
• Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (Extended Range) (LRASM) for the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
• Continuing collaboration with the United States to develop hypersonic missiles for our air capabilities.
• Precision strike guided missiles for our land forces, which are capable of destroying, neutralising and supressing diverse targets from over 400km.
• Accelerating $1 billion for a sovereign guided weapons manufacturing enterprise – which will enable us to create our own weapons on Australian soil.

These capabilities, coupled with the planned Life-of-Type Extension of Australia’s Collins class submarine fleet, will enhance Australia’s ability to deter and respond to potential security challenges.
The management of this transition, and other capability acquisition options that will meet Australia’s strategic requirements, will be at the forefront of consultations through AUKUS over the next 18 months.

The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister of Australia
The Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson MP
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President of the United States of America
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
As leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, guided by our enduring ideals and shared commitment to the international rules-based order, we resolve to deepen diplomatic, security, and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including by working with partners, to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. As part of this effort, we are announcing the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership called “AUKUS” — Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Through AUKUS, our governments will strengthen the ability of each to support our security and defense interests, building on our longstanding and ongoing bilateral ties. We will promote deeper information and technology sharing. We will foster deeper integration of security and defense-related science, technology, industrial bases, and supply chains. And in particular, we will significantly deepen cooperation on a range of security and defense capabilities.
As the first initiative under AUKUS, recognizing our common tradition as maritime democracies, we commit to a shared ambition to support Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. Today, we embark on a trilateral effort of 18 months to seek an optimal pathway to deliver this capability. We will leverage expertise from the United States and the United Kingdom, building on the two countries’ submarine programs to bring an Australian capability into service at the earliest achievable date.
The development of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines would be a joint endeavour between the three nations, with a focus on interoperability, commonality, and mutual benefit. Australia is committed to adhering to the highest standards for safeguards, transparency, verification, and accountancy measures to ensure the non-proliferation, safety, and security of nuclear material and technology. Australia remains committed to fulfilling all of its obligations as a non-nuclear weapons state, including with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Our three nations are deeply committed to upholding our leadership on global non-proliferation.
Recognizing our deep defense ties, built over decades, today we also embark on further trilateral collaboration under AUKUS to enhance our joint capabilities and interoperability. These initial efforts will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities.
The endeavour we launch today will help sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. For more than 70 years, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have worked together, along with other important allies and partners, to protect our shared values and promote security and prosperity. Today, with the formation of AUKUS, we recommit ourselves to this vision.