Month: November 2021

The Greens have today launched a Horse Racing Transition Plan to shut down commercial horse racing in Australia. After years of exposes on the cruelty of the horse racing industry, seven horses having died at the last eight Melbourne Cup races, and ongoing concerns about the power and influence of the gambling industry, the Greens say it is beyond time to shut this industry down.
A Horse Racing Transition Plan would be coordinated and managed through the establishment of a Horse Racing Transition Taskforce within the Commonwealth Government, and funded by a Horse Betting Levy that would finance transition activities as determined by the taskforce.
Horse Racing Transition Plan
A Horse Racing Transition Taskforce would be housed in the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for a period of 4 years, costing $10.1 million over that period.
The taskforce would:

• Design and implement the national ban on horse racing
• Develop the plan to transition racing facilities to open green spaces
• Develop the plan for workers currently employed
• Assist in rehabilitation and rehoming of horses
• Design and implement a betting levy.

A Horse Betting Levy of 1% of betting turnover related to commercial horse racing would be introduced. Over its first two years, this levy is projected to raise $494 million, and would fund the activities decided by the taskforce, which could include retraining programs for workers, rehoming schemes for animals, and redeveloping racecourses. The levy could be increased or extended depending on the scope and direction of the taskforce’s work.
Both initiatives have been costed by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens spokesperson for Animal Welfare said:
“Commercial horse racing is inhumane, deadly and incompatible with animal welfare. Like greyhound racing, this gambling-fuelled industry must be shut down.
“More and more people in the community are switching off from racing. Public interest in the Melbourne Cup has crashed in recent times, and more businesses are boycotting the event every year. A recent Lonergan poll found that a majority of people agree that racing animals like horses for gambling and entertainment is cruel.
“We have a huge opportunity here to shut down a cruel industry, deliver new jobs in regions and cities, and repurpose racetracks for community facilities and green spaces.
“With a publicly-funded transition taskforce and a betting levy, we can have the resources needed to ensure a smooth and sensitive transition away from commercial horse racing. “Horse racing kills. A horse dies every three days at a racetrack in Australia. No horse is safe at the Melbourne Cup or at any other race. It’s time to shut this industry down.”

From 1 November 2021, Australian men with prostate cancer will have access to a new medication at an affordable price, thanks to the Morrison Government.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men in Australia and the third most common cause of cancer death. One in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85. It is more common in older men, with more than 63 per cent of cases diagnosed in men over 65 years of age.
It is estimated that around 18,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia this year alone.
From tomorrow, as we mark the start of Movember, Nubeqa^® (darolutamide) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time for patients with non-metastatic castration resistant carcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate cancer that is no longer stopped by low testosterone levels is known as castration resistant. Castration-resistant prostate cancer is defined by a rising prostate specific antigen level, worsening symptoms and/or growing cancer verified by scans.
Without PBS subsidy, around 1,000 patients may pay more than $40,000 per year for treatment. Instead, they will pay a maximum of $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card.
This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Early detection and treatment can significantly improve prostate cancer survival. I encourage men over 50 to learn the symptoms of prostate cancer and if they have any concerns, talk to their GP.
Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.9 billion.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

New Medicare items will encourage eligible health providers to work together more closely to support the health of vulnerable Australians.
From today, allied health professionals will – for the first time – be reimbursed through Medicare for taking part in case conferences to support people with chronic diseases or young children with developmental disorders like autism.
To date, allied health professionals could take part but were unpaid. These additional items will improve care coordination and deliver better outcomes to patients with complex needs who have multiple care providers.
Working together, health care teams can make an enormous difference to the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care of many vulnerable Australians.
The Morrison Government committed $13.7 million in the 2021–22 Budget to create the new Medicare items – in response to recommendations to the MBS Review – which will also increase the number of doctor-led multidisciplinary case conferences in primary care.
Under the change, allied health professionals will be paid to attend multidisciplinary conferences held by the patient’s regular doctor – in person, via video conference or phone –to discuss diagnosis, care and treatment plans.
The new items are for eligible allied health professionals participating in multidisciplinary case conferences for people with chronic disease under the care of a General Practitioner as part of Team Care Arrangements, as well as children aged under 13 years under the care of a specialist, consultant physician or GP to provide early diagnosis and treatment of autism or any other pervasive developmental disorders.
For chronic disease management, eligible professionals include: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and health workers, audiologists, chiropractors, diabetes educators, dietitians, exercise physiologists, mental health workers, occupational therapists, osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists and speech pathologists.
For children with pervasive developmental disorders: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and health workers, audiologists, mental health nurses, mental health workers, occupational therapists, optometrists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, psychologists and speech pathologists can take part.
More information can be found on MBS Online.

The Morrison Government has accepted all 38 recommendations from a review into COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities.
The Independent Review of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities, will underpin continued improvements as the Government and aged care sector prioritise the health and wellbeing of senior Australians in care.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck said the review was an important blueprint as we navigate the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
“It has been an extremely challenging time for all of us, but particularly senior and vulnerable Australians and those who care for them,” Minister Hunt said.
“The review’s 38 recommendations will help aged care facility administrators better prepare for and respond to future COVID-19 outbreaks and will assist the Government in monitoring and evaluating these measures.”
Minister Colbeck said the review was already guiding measures for the protection of aged care residents and workers in the current New South Wales, Victoria and ACT outbreaks.
“Importantly, the findings show that while community transmission is the biggest predictor of COVID‑19 outbreaks in aged care settings, effective leadership at all levels is the most critical factor in defending against the virus,” Minister Colbeck said.
He said the information in the report will also provide input and guidance into the principals required as we move towards living with COVID-19 in residential aged care.
The report outlines nine key lines of defence to minimise risk of COVID-19 outbreaks:

• Built environment and infrastructure;
• Clinical care;
• Effective interagency communication;
• Emergency response;
• Infection prevention and control;
• Leadership, management and governance;
• Planning and preparation;
• Preventing social isolation; and
• Workforce and staff mental health.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and its Aged Care Advisory Group have considered the recommendations.
Minister Hunt said the Government will continue to adapt the way it prepares for and responds to an outbreak, based on what has been learned.
“This will be done in collaboration with the aged care sector, state and territory governments and health authorities,” Minister Hunt said.
“It will also be important that, as the community transitions to living with COVID, we continue with critical strategies such as vaccinations and testing, so that aged care residents and staff are protected.”
Minister Colbeck said since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison Government has committed over $2.1 billion in funding for aged care COVID support.
“We have listened to the experiences and stories of those living, working and caring in the aged care sector throughout the pandemic,” Minister Colbeck said.  “We are committed to improving our preparation for and response to outbreaks, and better supporting our most vulnerable Australians.”
The Ministers thanked the authors of the review and the residents, families, friends, carers, providers and workers who contributed to this and the previous four independent reviews.
The full report can be found here.
Please note that the release of the report may be confronting for anyone affected by the impact of the pandemic on Australia’s aged care sector. The following support is available:

• The Older Persons Advocacy Network can be reached on 1800 700 600
• The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement can be reached on 1800 22 22 00
• The Essential Network for health professionals– a website and mobile app by the Black Dog Institute available at blackdoginstitute.org.au/ten or via the Google Play and Apple Store
• Smiling Mind – a mobile application with practical tools to support good mental health during challenging times, available via the Google Play and Apple Store.

Aged care workers can also access mental health support available to all Australians including:

• Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service can be reached on 1800 512 348 or at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.
• Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14
• Head to Health provides access to free and low cost digital and phone mental health services and supports, available at headtohealth.gov.au