Month: October 2021

Gambling donations a stain on our democracy, but Liberals, Nationals and Labor happy to keep cashing in

Forensic research by the ABC has shed new light on just how important a ban on political donations from the gambiling industry is. The ABC’s Hitting the Jackpot investigation revealed that over $81million has been given since 1999 to Liberals, Labor, Nationals and minor parties.
With gambling industry profits completely at the mercy of government regulation, the Greens say it’s clear that the gambling industry is buying influence and favour, and the Liberal, Labor and National parties are happy to comply.
Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
“It’s time to ban political donations from the gambling industry. They have bought policy outcomes that reap them profits and increase misery for so many for so long. The Greens have been pushing for this for a decade in federal parliament but the big parties won’t bite the hand that feeds them.
“Australians are the world’s biggest losers to gambling, while the Liberal, Labor and National parties have hit the donations jackpot.
“Donations open doors to Minister’s offices, giving privileged access to industries profiting at the expense of the Australian public.
“Weak political donations laws mean that not only is it completely legal for the government to accept donations from industries that stand to benefit from weak government regulations, but that we don’t even know where more than a third of those donations are coming from. This is a stain on our democracy.
“The Greens Banning Dirty Donations Bill to ban donations from gambling, mining and other sectors while capping donations from everyone else is already before the Senate and ready to be voted on – but only if the major parties are willing to turn their back on the tens of millions in donations from the gambling industry filling their re-election coffers.
“The Greens have a comprehensive plan to clean up politics and stop politicians writing policies for the highest bidder.  We will:

  • Ban dirty donations from industries like gambling, fossil fuels, pharmaceuticals, banking, defence, alcohol and tobacco
  • Cap all political donations at $1,000
  • Require real-time disclosure of donations
  • Improve transparency of the Lobbyists Register
  • Release Ministerial diaries so the public can see who’s meeting with who
  • Stop the revolving door between politics and industry lobbyists
  • Establish a strong, independent corruption watchdog

$30 million investment in research to drive better health

The Morrison Government is investing up to $30 million in health and medical research to help bring ground-breaking discoveries to fruition.
Through the Medical Research Future Fund, our government will open two new grant opportunities across key areas of medical research.
Firstly, a new grant opportunity will open targeted at Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Children and Adolescents, with funding up to $20 million over four years from 2021-2022.
An estimated 880,000 musculoskeletal problems in children and adolescents are managed in primary care in Australia each year.
Musculoskeletal conditions that affect children and adolescents include juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, back and hip conditions, muscular dystrophies and musculoskeletal pain.
The intended outcome of this grant opportunity is to improve the health care for children and adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal conditions by developing superior diagnostic approaches and by building evidence for best treatment approaches, including improved therapeutic regimes and validated models of care.
Secondly, a grant opportunity will open to help researchers develop and implement new approaches for improving patient care and health outcomes through better use of health information.
The Research Data Infrastructure grant opportunity provides up to $10 million for projects that bring together information held in different systems or platforms or that use novel methods like artificial intelligence to answer important health questions.
Better use of data will help to enable earlier diagnosis and increase the effectiveness of treatments and improve health outcomes.
It will also help reduce the probability of adverse reactions, better prevent diseases by identifying risk factors, and improve the monitoring of the effects of medical drugs.
These grants will continue to help our world-leading health and medical researchers build evidence to develop superior diagnostic approaches, and best treatment approaches, including improved therapeutic regimes and models of care.
Health and medical research remains our best hope to improve health outcomes for all Australians. It saves lives and improves lives.
The $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) supports Australia’s world class health and medical researchers by investing in innovative and game changing discoveries for the health of all Australians.
To apply for these grants please visit the GrantConnect website (https://www.grants.gov.au/).

Fitch upgrades Australia's outlook and affirms AAA credit rating

In a clear expression of confidence in the Morrison Government’s economic management, Fitch Ratings have affirmed Australia’s AAA credit rating and upgraded its outlook to stable from negative.
Emerging from a once in a century pandemic and the greatest economic shock since the great depression, Australia remains one of only nine countries to maintain a AAA credit rating from all three major credit rating agencies.
Despite the economic recovery being “temporarily disrupted by recent lockdowns, Fitch Ratings “expect Australia’s economic recovery to continue” with the economy forecast to grow by 4.5 per cent in 2022 compared to a median of 3.6 per cent amongst other AAA rated countries.
This strong economic outlook is expected to see the labour market “snap back rapidly with the unemployment rate forecast to average 4.7 per cent in 2022” which would be the lowest annual rate since 2008.
Fitch Ratings also noted “the pace of vaccination has accelerated in recent months, allowing a gradual easing in restrictions that will facilitate a strong rebound in consumption from pent-up demand, particularly as households have large accumulated savings to draw down, and targeted fiscal support has remained during the lockdowns.”
This fiscal support following the most recent delta outbreak has included $11.1 billion in COVID-19 Disaster Payments to 2.25 million Australians and around $5.2 billion in business support from the Commonwealth.
Fitch Ratings also expressed its confidence in the Government’s budget management stating it has “rising confidence in the path of fiscal consolidation and stabilisation of the public debt ratio over the medium-term and the underlying strength of the economic recovery.”
The Morrison Government’s economic recovery plan is working, but the job is not done yet. We must stick to the National Plan agreed to at National Cabinet to open up safely and secure our economic recovery.

NSW says Buon Appetito with a $66 million alfresco restart package

The streets of NSW will come alive post-lockdown, thanks to a raft of initiatives and $66 million in funding that will see alfresco dining, outdoor activations and events return.
Treasurer Matt Kean said as the state opens up to the fully vaccinated, NSW will be ready for people eager to enjoy a meal and a day out with friends and family.
“Alfresco dining is not only a great way to dine, it’s a safe way to socialise as we open up. That’s why we are supporting new outdoor entertainment and dining precincts to pop up right across the state through our $66 million Alfresco Restart initiative,” Mr Kean said.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the NSW Government is doing all it can to revive the hospitality and entertainment industries, while ensuring people can safely socialise in the sunshine.
“After a long winter, it’s time for Sydney to enjoy a meal or drink in the sunshine and the NSW Government is committed to helping businesses do that in time for summer,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re providing 5,000 hospitality businesses a $5,000 grant to get their outdoor dining venture off the ground – whether that’s to help set-up curb-side dining or a pub-style courtyard, we’re here to turn their ideas into reality.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the Government’s Alfresco Restart Package will help the hospitality, arts, and music sectors get back on their feet after a long winter in lockdown.
“After many months in lockdown, the people of NSW are ready to enjoy themselves, so we’ve thrown out the rule book with new temporary alfresco measures, while also making last year’s trials permanent,” Mr Stokes said.
“In addition to the permanent easing of rules for dining on footpaths and public spaces, we’re temporarily allowing outdoor dining on privately-owned bowling greens and carparks, meaning businesses can expand outdoors on almost any piece of land they own to welcome more customers.”
The Alfresco Restart initiatives being rolled out from November include:

  • The Festival of Place – including the Long Summer Nights Program at the Rocks, Darling Harbour and The Domain, Streets as Shared Spaces Program, Summer Night Fund Program and Open Streets Program;
  • Emergency temporary alfresco measures for outdoor dining in parks or on private land with the owner’s consent; and
  • $5,000 grants for hospitality businesses to establish new alfresco settings;
  • Permanent outdoor dining as an exempt development for pubs and small bars state-wide.

This package is part of the NSW Government’s efforts to slash red tape and support businesses and communities to recover from the pandemic.
For more info, visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/alfresco-restart-package

New training courses to help small businesses win Government work

Small businesses across NSW now have access to free training and an informative guide to help them become “tender ready” and win NSW Government contracts, thanks to a new tender support program.
The NSW Small Business Commission has collaborated with TAFE NSW to deliver four online courses as well as a written guide to help small businesses understand the tendering and contract processes involved in working with the NSW Government.
The launch is the first major milestone in the four-year $5 million tender support program being delivered by the Commission and announced in the  November 2020 NSW Budget.
The program is a key driver of the NSW Government’s commitment to sourcing more goods and services from NSW small businesses.
Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said the NSW Government spends around $40 billion each year on procurement of goods, services and construction, with nearly half of that amount going to small and medium businesses.
“Small businesses make up more than 98 per cent of businesses in NSW. If we can generate more work for them through existing Government spending, we will support jobs, families and communities,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Tendering for Government work can take up valuable time and resources for small businesses, and larger businesses often have the edge.
“These new resources will help small businesses to bridge that gap and be more successful in not only winning government work but also in tendering for private sector contracts, which requires similar knowledge and skills.”
The training courses, Selling to the NSW Government, comprise four modules that help small businesses prepare for and navigate these major stages of the tendering and contract processes:

  • Getting Business Ready
  • Finding Opportunities
  • Selling to Government
  • Successful Supplying

It is complemented by the new Selling to the NSW Government: A Guide for Small Business, which includes templates for key tendering documents.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said it was great to see the NSW Small Business Commission working with TAFE NSW, the State’s comprehensive public training provider.
“These courses will help small business owners upskill and reskill their teams, and ultimately empower them to grow their businesses.
“TAFE NSW plays a critical role in helping deliver these micro-skills rapidly using its convenient purpose-built online education platform,” Mr Lee said.
NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont said the training and guide had been informed by a comprehensive stakeholder engagement survey undertaken by the Commission, which sought the views and experiences of small businesses and other key stakeholders on the Government’s procurement processes and how they could be improved.
“The survey identified key pain points for small businesses in tendering for Government work and what information and assistance was most useful in helping businesses to lift their capabilities so they can compete effectively,” Mr Lamont said.
The Commission’s tender support program aligns with the NSW Government’s refreshed Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy, which allows Government agencies to buy goods and services directly from an SME for all procurements up to $150,000.
The training modules and the guide can be accessed via  the NSW Small Business Commission website

Doubling down on dine and discover

Customers will have more reasons to celebrate catching up with friends and family this summer with two additional Dine & Discover vouchers up for grabs for NSW residents.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the expanded program will support residents across the State and encourage economic activity as part of the government’s economic recovery strategy.
“From Byron to Bega and Bellingen to Broken Hill, this is about supporting people to get out and have a meal or spend the day discovering their city while supporting businesses across NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the additional $250 million investment by the NSW Government would help businesses recover from months of restrictions and encourage people to enjoy what they love most.
“We experienced the success of the Dine & Discover program when we reopened last time, which is why we are doubling down efforts with an additional two $25 vouchers – one for Dine and one for Discover venues,” Mr Kean said.
“We are backing our businesses and helping hip pockets by expanding the program, in addition to extending existing vouchers until the end of June 2022.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the vouchers would again be delivered via the ServiceNSW app.
“You’ll find them in your ServiceNSW app in time for Summer or you can contact ServiceNSW and they can send them to you,” Mr Dominello said.
“To date, almost 4.8 million people have taken advantage of the voucher program since its launch in March, giving businesses a $430 million boost.”
NSW residents aged 18 years and over who are yet to apply will be able to do so until the program ends and will receive all six $25 vouchers.
Participating businesses do not need to reapply. Those who want to join the program are encouraged to register, download the scanner app and get ready to redeem.
More information will be made available in the coming weeks on the nsw.gov.au website.

First River Class ferry now in service

The first of ten new River Class vessels, named after well-known NSW author Ruby Langford Ginibi, is now in passenger service after it was given the green light to operate during the day.
Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes said the new River Class ferries were designed for conditions along the Parramatta River, but will also serve customers right across the ferry network.
“The new ferries have already completed many hours of successful day time operation during water trials and have passed the strictest of safety standards to get to this point, and it is great to now have the first vessel in service,” Mr Stokes said.
“Birdon employed 54 people working on the project locally at Port Macquarie, with Australian suppliers benefiting from 70 per cent of the total program of work. All of the design work was also undertaken right here in Australia.
“Customers are already benefiting from the new ferries’ floor to ceiling windows, level boarding access, audible and visual announcements, hearing loops, priority seating for the elderly and mobility impaired customers, and wheelchair facilities.”
Until the new River Class ferries are available for night time operations, existing fleet will continue to be used to ensure continuity of services for customers.
Over the coming weeks and months, the rest of the fleet will progressively roll out for daytime operations, while work is undertaken to reduce the glare in the wheelhouse at night.
The remaining nine ferries are named after some of the state’s other leading authors, artists and athletes.

Officer charged – Northern Region

An officer has been charged with assault following an investigation into an alleged incident last year.
About 11am yesterday (Wednesday 13 October 2021), a 54-year-old male senior constable – who is attached to a police district in the Northern Region – was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for common assault.
It will be alleged in court that the officer assaulted another man in the Hunter Valley area while on duty on Sunday 13 September 2020.
He is due to appear before Kurri Kurri Local Court on Tuesday 23 November 2021.
The officer is currently suspended from duty with pay.

Consultation opens on draft Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan

The Australian government is calling for stakeholder input following the opening of the consultation period for the draft Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan.
Primary health care matters to everyone.  It is the front line and first point of contact with the health care system for most Australians, and it is central to keeping people healthy and well in the community, wherever they may live and across all stages of their lives. Our primary care system is world class and has been a central driving force at the heart of our COVID-19 response.
Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled healthcare systems around the world to change the way they operate and deliver health care practically overnight.  The Primary Care sector has underpinned our COVID response in communities across Australia, we have accelerated the use of telehealth as part of usual care and highlighted the value of local collaboration across providers and systems to save and protect lives.
We need to ensure that our system can continue to deliver the best, contemporary health care, to meet today’s and tomorrow’s health challenges.
The Australian Government recognises the immense value of primary health care in providing high quality outcomes and experiences for all Australians.  In August 2019, the Government announced the development of a Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan as part of Australia’s Long Term National Health Plan.
While the pandemic represents a once-in-a-generation challenge for healthcare systems, it also represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to harness this unprecedented momentum, to work with an industry that has been primed for change through its experience of operating in the conditions of a global pandemic.
The Plan draws on input from consultations with individuals and organisations across the country from late 2019, and during 2020 and 2021. It represents a high-level response to the draft recommendations of the Primary Health Reform Steering Group, which has been working since October 2019 on future directions for primary health care reform.
The focus of the 10 Year Plan is on Australia’s primary health care services provided through general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), community pharmacies, allied health services, mental health services, community health and community nursing services and dental and oral health services.
The Plan also focuses on the integration of primary health care with hospitals and other parts of the health system, aged care, disability care and social care systems.
You can now provide feedback on the draft plan, and individuals and organisations with an interest in primary health care and what a future focused system can deliver for all Australians are encouraged to share their views.  Written submissions can be provided until 11:59pm, 9 November 2021 at https://consultations.health.gov.au/primary-care-mental-health-division/draft-primary-health-care-10-year-plan

Grant open for research to improve hearing support services

The Australian Government today announced the first of two grant opportunities for research into developing and delivering improved hearing health support services, which will better assist one in six Australians who are experiencing some form of hearing impairment.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie MP announced that applications are now open for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Targeted Call for Research on Hearing Health: evidence-based support services.
“The Federal Government wants to ensure that all Australians with hearing loss, wherever they live, can get top-quality assistance to help them get the best out of their lives,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This call seeks to support research that develops an evidence base for future policies, interventions and initiatives to support the Hearing Services Program.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the NHMRC funds research where Australia’s highest-performing health and medical researchers set out to solve the health problems they see in their community to help improve the lives of their fellow Australians.
“NHMRC’s Targeted Calls for Research are one-time requests for grant applications to address a specific health issue where there is a significant research knowledge gap or unmet need,” Minister Hunt said.
Dr Gillespie said the funding was part of the Australian Government’s $21.2 million investment to support activities under the Roadmap for Hearing Health, developed by the Hearing Health Sector Committee, published in February 2019.
The NHMRC is managing $7.3 million in grant funding for hearing research under this measure; the total funding available under the call for research applications announced today is $4 million.
The Targeted Call for Research on Hearing Health will:

  • Inform development and delivery of hearing health services in the future.
  • Improve the evidence base for health seeking behaviour on hearing health, especially in vulnerable populations.
  • Assure providers and consumers that hearing program support services are based on the best available evidence to adapt to client needs and technology changes.

A subsequent Targeted Call for Research grant opportunity on hearing health will occur in 2022 as part of this Budget measure. All other relevant information is available on the NHMRC website and GrantConnect.