October 2021 – Page 15

Australia launches world’s first children’s mental health and wellbeing strategy

The Morrison Government is today launching the world’s first National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The Strategy provides a framework to guide the development of a comprehensive, integrated system of services to maintain and support the mental health and wellbeing of children aged 0-12 and their families.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Strategy was part of the Morrison Government’s long-term national health plan.
“Caring for the mental health and wellbeing of our younger children, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is critical. We know that proper support can improve long-term outcomes and can help children achieve their full potential in life,” Minister Hunt said.
“To ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a healthy and supportive environment that helps them, and their families and communities, to thrive, we need a mental health and wellbeing system that is well-designed, comprehensive, and nationally consistent.”
“This strategy shows us how, and will be crucial to our current ongoing reform of the mental health and suicide prevention system. It is about ensuring the best for our children at each and every step and I’m honoured to launch it today.”
The Strategy provides a roadmap through coordinated investment and program development to ensure that children aged 0-12 can have all the opportunities for growth and development possible.
Through four focus areas, the Strategy outlines the requirements for an effective system of care for children:
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, MP said the aim of this universal approach will bring lasting benefits for Australia and for generations to come.
“Half of all adult mental health challenges emerge before the age of 14, yet few children below the age of 12 receive professional support. As a nation, we need to acknowledge this and do everything we can to change it. Our Government is committed to the task,” Assistant Minster Coleman said.
“This is the first time a national government has developed a strategy that considers mental health and wellbeing of our children, as well as their families and communities who nurture them.”
Importantly, several key priorities identified in the strategy received funding in the 2021-22 Budget, which provided a record $2.3 billion for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan aimed at transforming Australia’s mental health system. Specific initiatives dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and their parents and carers included:

$54.2 million to create new Head to Health Kids mental health and wellbeing centres for children up to 12 years, in partnership with the state and territory governments;
$42.3 million to support access to parenting education and support, to build parenting strategies and help parents to identify problem behaviours early;
$26.8 million to support Kids Helpline and meet the increased demand for services;
$47.4 million for perinatal mental health initiatives; and
$111.4 million to allow family members and/or carers to access up to two of a patient’s available Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions, and to expand access to group sessions where appropriate.

The development of the Strategy was undertaken by the National Mental Health Commission, supported by an expert advisory group.
National Mental Health Commission Chair, Mrs Lucy Brogden AM and CEO, Ms Christine Morgan thanked the many people who helped make the strategy a reality.
“This is one of the most important and meaningful and significant pieces of work we have done at the Commission,” Ms Morgan said.
“This Strategy proposes a fundamental, cultural shift in the way we think about the mental health and wellbeing of our children, including a change in language and the adoption of a continuum-based model of mental health and wellbeing.”
“We could not have done it without our advisory group led by our co-chairs, Professors Frank Oberklaid and Christel Middledorp, and I would like to thank them for their incredible work. Through them and others, we have engaged with hundreds of people who care deeply about the mental health and wellbeing of our children and understand the immense benefits that flow from protecting and nurturing it.”
The Strategy is available on the Commission’s website www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au
Australians looking for support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service anytime via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline
(13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au).

Increased child care support brought forward

Around 250,000 Australian families will now benefit from increased Child Care Subsidy (CCS) from 7 March 2022, four months earlier than first expected. On average, these families will be more than $2,200 a year better off.
The additional subsidies for families with two or more children in care were due to start on 11 July 2022, but the Morrison Government has been able to work across Departments and service providers to make necessary technical changes sooner.
Families with two or more children aged five years and under in care will have their CCS rate increased by 30 percentage points for their second child and any younger children, up to a maximum rate of 95 per cent.
More than half of eligible families will receive the maximum 95 per cent subsidy.
A family earning $110,000 a year with two kids in care, four days a week, will be better off by around $100 each week.
The $10,655 annual CCS cap will also be scrapped on 10 December 2021 and applied retrospectively for the whole 2021-22 financial year. Anyone who reaches the cap before this date will have any additional out-of-pocket costs for the 2021-22 financial year reimbursed.
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the changes would ease pressure on working families and encourage more parents into work.
“These changes are good for families and great for the economy, and it’s significant that we are able to deliver them sooner,” Minister Tudge said.
“Removing the cap and increasing subsidies means more parents, particularly mothers, can return to work or take on more hours if they choose to.
“There are 280,000 more children in child care than when we came to office and this additional support will take our total investment to $11 billion a year.
“Importantly, our support is targeted to those who need it most. We are reducing the out-of-pocket child care costs which really add up when you have two, three or more children in care.”
Minister for Women’s Economic Security Senator Jane Hume said the package would particularly support mothers looking to get back into the workforce or take on more hours.
“Treasury estimates the additional subsidy will mean the equivalent of 40,000 parents are able to work an extra day per week, boosting the economy by up to $1.5 billion per year,” Minister Hume said.
“The Morrison Government is committed to increasing economic opportunities for Australian women and this additional child care support will remove disincentives for primary carers, particularly mothers, to participate in the workforce.
“Under this government women’s workforce participation has increased steadily and reached a record high of 61.9 per cent in March 2021.”
The Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Subsidy) Bill 2021, which enables the additional payments, was passed on 12 August 2021.
The changes build on the Morrison Government’s Child Care Package, introduced in 2018, which is still keeping out-of-pocket costs low for families using child care.
Latest data shows the average out-of-pocket cost is just $4 per hour – around 90 cents per hour cheaper than before the Child Care Package was introduced more than three years ago.
More than 70 per cent of families pay less than $5 per hour, while almost a quarter pay less than $2 per hour, thanks to our system of providing the most support to those on lower incomes.
The Morrison Government has also recently paid out around $180 million in support payments to more than 6,000 child care services across areas of New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns.
These payments are keeping services open, staff in work and providing financial relief for families by encouraging services to waive gap fees for children not attending care during COVID lockdowns.

Statement on pools and staged resumption of services

City of Newcastle will continue to focus on the health and safety of our community as we take a staged approach to the safe reopening of services and facilities this week in line with NSW Government Public Health Orders (PHOs).
The NSW Government’s PHO came into effect on Monday 11 October after NSW reached the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target.
The PHO requires visitors attending public swimming pools to have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination is required as a condition of entry to all City of Newcastle pools, and all adults (aged 16 years and over) will need to show their COVID-19 certificate to pool staff to gain entry.
Several other City of Newcastle services have resumed. Blackbutt Reserve has reopened its wildlife boardwalk and shelters, while Newcastle Libraries has commenced a Reserve & Collect service where members can place reservations online and pick up from their preferred library branch.
Library return chutes reopened last week, and the Library 2U service is operating where members can borrow up to five items via home delivery or collection.
The City of Newcastle is taking a measured, safety-first approach to reopening our facilities, with most services to resume closer to or after NSW reaches the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, noting that vaccination rates in the Hunter are behind the state average.
Newcastle Museum will open its doors on Tuesday 19 October and will welcome visitors back to the Castanet Club exhibition which has been extended until 13 November.
Planning is also underway to resume services at the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre on Monday 18 October, and Newcastle Art Gallery on Tuesday 19 October.
Newcastle Library branches will start to reopen from Monday 25 October, and Civic Theatre will reopen in time for their first scheduled show on Wednesday 10 November.
COVID safe plans will be in place for all sites in accordance with the NSW Government’s latest PHO to ensure we can adhere to the required safety measures, which include one person per four square metres, mandatory mask wearing, and proof of full vaccination upon entry. Visitors will also be required to check in to all venues using a QR code.
We will continue to monitor information as it is released by the NSW Government and appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as our staged reopening begins.

NSW hydrogen strategy to drive investment, create jobs and power prosperity

NSW is set to attract more than $80 billion of investment, drive deep decarbonisation and establish itself as an energy and economic superpower with today’s launch of the NSW Hydrogen Strategy.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said as NSW worked through post-lockdown recovery, hydrogen was an opportunity to drive new investment and help secure jobs right across the State.
“Australia has an opportunity to be an energy superpower, New South Wales will lead the country with this hydrogen strategy,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our major trading partners see hydrogen as part of their energy future, this state has the skills, infrastructure and renewable energy resources to compete globally in this new industry.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said hydrogen was a huge opportunity for regional NSW.
“We know that regional economies are diversifying, and the NSW government’s Hydrogen Strategy is bringing that to life,” Mr Toole said.
“Places like Parkes, the Illawarra, and the Upper Hunter are uniquely placed to take advantage of these opportunities, with existing supply lines, access to transport links and a skilled workforce ready to make regional NSW a leader in hydrogen technology.”
Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said the strategy, which will provide up to $3 billion in incentives, will set the State up as a global hydrogen leader and is forecast to increase the size of the NSW economy by more than $600 million by 2030.
“Hydrogen will not only help the State halve our emissions by 2030 and get to net zero by 2050, it will create new opportunities for our heavy industry, and an economic bonanza of investment and jobs,” Mr Kean said.
“This strategy is forecast to more than halve the cost of green hydrogen production in NSW and will make NSW the best place to invest in hydrogen in the world.”
Fortescue Future Industries Chairman and Founder, Dr Andrew Forrest AO said: ”I am delighted with NSW’s historic hydrogen strategy and ambition to set itself up as an energy and economic superpower.
“NSW is taking a state leadership position providing clear pathways for how renewable hydrogen can deliver for Australian businesses, Australian jobs, communities, and our children’s future.
“At FFI we are doing everything we can as a business to lead the world effort to lower emissions. We are planning to deliver 15 million tonnes of renewable green hydrogen to the world by 2030 – increasing to 50 million tonnes per year thereafter.
“We are committed to working with the NSW Government to support their ambitions and develop Green Hydrogen Hubs together.”
In addition to delivering an already committed $70 million to develop the State’s hydrogen hubs in the Illawarra and the Hunter, the strategy includes:

Exemptions for green hydrogen production from government charges;
A 90% exemption from electricity network charges for green hydrogen producers who connect to parts of the network with spare capacity;
Incentives for green hydrogen production; and
A hydrogen refuelling station network to be rolled out across the State.

Business will be to submit an expression of interest to participate in the hydrogen hubs by the end of October. A copy of the strategy is available HERE.

Local sport scores $4.6 million funding boost

Initiatives which focus on increasing participation in sport through events, development programs and facilities are the focus of the latest round of the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program.
Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said more than $4.6 million is available to local sporting clubs to make their ideas to boost participation a reality, as COVID restrictions ease.
“We know sport has great health, social and economic advantages and we’re looking to strengthen our local sporting communities as we plan for the future,” Mrs Ward said.
“Sport goes far beyond the physical benefits. It boosts social networks and can also help develop skills and create jobs.
“This funding will support projects at grassroots sporting clubs which are driving participation opportunities, so that more people in NSW can enjoy the benefits of being involved in sport.”
The NSW Government funded more than 930 projects across the State through the last round of the Local Sport Grant Program.
“A terrific variety of initiatives were funded, including a Come and Try day at the Sydney Speed Skating Club at Macquarie Ice Rink, equipment at Armidale City Gymnastics Club to enable the participation of children with sensory issues and a program to subsidise sailing fees for children from disadvantaged communities at Toronto Amateur Sailing Club at Lake Macquarie,” Mrs Ward said.
Successful clubs can receive funding of up to $20,000, with up to $50,000 available for each electorate throughout NSW.
Applications open today and close on Friday, 19 November.
For more information visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/local-sport-grant-program

Celebrating the diverse carer community

Carers from multicultural communities are the focus of a new campaign to mark the start of National Carers Week, which encourages them to make the most of services and support.
Minster for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the It’s Caring campaign would celebrate the state’s 850,000 carers and raise awareness about support available to them.
“Throughout the pandemic, the love and support of carers has been more important than ever and this week is an opportunity to say thank you,” Mr Henskens said.
“One in five carers in NSW come from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and this campaign is about making sure they know where to turn to access services and support.”
Carers provide unpaid help to someone who needs support due to disability, mental illness, dementia, frail age or chronic illness.
Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said the campaign will be rolled out in ten different languages to reach many corners of our multicultural communities.
“Multi-generational family households and shared caring duties can be common practice in some communities. Some people may not associate themselves as carers and may be reluctant to ask for or receive help,” Mrs Ward said.
“This campaign aims to remove barriers to information, increase awareness about support available and send a message that help is available to our wonderful carers across multicultural communities.”
In 2021-22 the NSW Government is investing $4.9 million into support for carers under the NSW Carers Strategy 2020-2030.
For more information or to access resources, visit the Carers Gateway.

Greens urge farmers not to let LNP off lightly

The Greens have warned now is a dangerous time to be distracted from the real climate action needed to support farmers and have urged the National Farmers Federation to hold The Nationals to account ahead of their meeting today.
Greens spokesperson for agriculture, Peter Whish-Wilson, said trying to appease The Nationals is a fool’s game.
“Since forming government the LNP have ripped up nearly all existing climate policies such as the carbon price and clean energy package, ramped up fossil fuel exploration and production, whilst not providing a single credible policy that will tackle global warming.
“Now is a dangerous time to be distracted from the real climate action needed to support farmers. The NFF needs to hold the LNP to account.
“With the right policy settings and investment, agriculture is one of the few industries that can become not just carbon neutral, but carbon positive.
“Many farmers are still putting off implementing carbon farming techniques, partly because of a lack of policy support or information about effectiveness. We need to change that. Without a price on carbon, demand for carbon drawdown will remain limited; it would be good to know where the NFF stand on this.
“The Nationals have admitted to no longer representing farmers and their anti-climate ideology is utterly offensive to farmers facing the real-world impacts of climate change, which is currently costing the average Aussie farming family $30,000 a year.
“Carbon sequestration alone is not enough. There are huge opportunities for Australian farmers to change their practices, regenerate their land and create new revenue streams by selling carbon abatement to the carbon market; just like they did before the carbon price was abolished.”

$5.15 million in scholarships to grow Australia’s mental health workforce

The Australian Government has established a $5.15 million scholarship program to grow and upskill the mental health and suicide prevention workforce to ensure that all Australians have access to high quality, affordable, person centred mental health care when they need it.
The Mental Health Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship Program was announced as part of the Morrison Government’s record $2.3 billion investment in mental health and suicide prevention in the 2021–22 Budget to attract, train and retain key mental health professionals and to address workforce pressures.
The Program will provide 278 scholarships to support mental health nurses and allied health practitioners including psychologists to enter the mental health workforce, in addition to upskilling existing health practitioners in the mental health sector.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the scholarships will allow health care professionals to complete mental health related tertiary, vocational and continued professional development courses and clinical placements in mental health settings
“Across Australia our mental health workforce has been stretched, particularly during the pandemic, and there are plenty of opportunities for health care workers to move into rewarding work in mental health,” Minister Hunt said.
“Providing opportunities for health care professionals to access appropriate training in mental health and suicide prevention will increase the numbers of skilled professionals to meet demand for services now and into the future,” Minister Hunt said.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said investing in mental health training for health care professionals will also promote mental health as a career option.
“The program will provide 126 postgraduate nursing scholarships for courses related to mental health and suicide prevention,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“It will also support up to 152 allied health practitioners including psychologists working in mental health and suicide prevention for related tertiary, vocational and continuing professional development courses and clinical placements.”
The Program will also focus on rural and remote locations, with priority given to health care workers who live and/or work in these rural areas (MM 3-7).
Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, said the program aims to address mental health workforce pressure nationally, including those in rural and remote areas of Australia.
“Access to skilled mental health workers shouldn’t be dependent on where you live, and upskilling health workers who are already living and working in rural and remote Australia is a great way to expand their skills and meet their communities’ needs,” Minister Gillespie said.
“For this reason, there will be a preference for applicants living or working in rural and remote areas.”
Alongside the prioritisation for applicants from rural and remote regions, a minimum of five per cent of scholarships will be made available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants as first priority. This will ensure vital services are available for all Australians and can be delivered in a culturally safe and appropriate way.
Individuals can express their interest in applying for a place from November 2021 through the Australian College of Nursing. The scholarships will be supported from Semester 1, 2022

New service to support aged care providers

Home and residential aged care providers will develop coordinated workforce planning approaches under a new Australian Government service aimed at ensuring quality levels of personalised care are strengthened and maintained.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, launched the Workforce Advisory Service today which will support aged care providers in attracting, retaining and skilling their workforce.
The independent, free and confidential service will assist aged care providers to be reform ready helping to develop coordinated service-level workforce training and skills plans, and leverage supports available across the sector to increase the skills of the workforce.
Minister Colbeck said this will ensure workers can better access and hold the appropriate level of knowledge and skills to meet the individual care needs of senior Australians within a facility or service.
“This will be a win-win for workers, providers and senior Australians alike and will be an important step in building a world-class aged care workforce for Australia,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It will help aged care workers to acquire qualifications and training which will enhance their skills and knowledge and improve their career opportunities. It will support providers to implement workforce planning into business-as-usual.
“And it will help ensure senior Australians receive the individual, quality care they need and deserve.”
The workforce planning advice will be tailored to individual service needs and could include recommendations for widening the search for new workers.
Minister Colbeck said aged care service delivery was becoming increasingly complex as people live longer with more chronic and complex conditions.
“This requires aged care providers to employ a larger workforce with more specialised skills and knowledge to be able to deliver consumer directed care to meet the diverse needs of senior Australians.” he said.
Establishing the Workforce Advisory Service is another response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which recommended funding for education and training to improve the quality of care and aligns with broader Government priorities to increase workforce skills and capabilities.
The service, provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers, is funded under a $5.9 million expansion of the Government’s Business Advisory Service, and advisors will use best practice guidance from industry while working with providers.
Minister Colbeck said the Government will continue to work closely with the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council to provide workforce planning support to the nation’s aged care providers.
More information about the service is available here.

Australia launches world’s first children’s mental health and wellbeing strategy

Family and Community
Service System
Education Settings
Evidence and Evaluation

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, MP said the aim of this universal approach will bring lasting benefits for Australia and for generations to come.
“Half of all adult mental health challenges emerge before the age of 14, yet few children below the age of 12 receive professional support. As a nation, we need to acknowledge this and do everything we can to change it. Our Government is committed to the task,” Assistant Minster Coleman said.
“This is the first time a national government has developed a strategy that considers mental health and wellbeing of our children, as well as their families and communities who nurture them.”
Importantly, several key priorities identified in the strategy received funding in the 2021-22 Budget, which provided a record $2.3 billion for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan aimed at transforming Australia’s mental health system. Specific initiatives dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and their parents and carers included:

$54.2 million to create new Head to Health Kids mental health and wellbeing centres for children up to 12 years, in partnership with the state and territory governments;
$42.3 million to support access to parenting education and support, to build parenting strategies and help parents to identify problem behaviours early;
$26.8 million to support Kids Helpline and meet the increased demand for services;
$47.4 million for perinatal mental health initiatives; and
$111.4 million to allow family members and/or carers to access up to two of a patient’s available Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions, and to expand access to group sessions where appropriate.