Month: December 2021

National Cabinet met today for the final time in 2021 to discuss a range of significant national issues, including our response to COVID-19 and the new Omicron strain.
National Cabinet, which has met 27 times in 2021 (59 times since its establishment in March 2020), is a critical forum to talk through plans for managing COVID-19 and also key national policy alignment on other critical national issues, including mental health and suicide prevention, health and hospital systems, ensuring the wellbeing of our Indigenous communities, and women’s economic security.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 225,640 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 2,084 people have died. More than 49.6 million tests have been undertaken, with 1,202,886 million tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 268.4 million cases and, sadly, over 5.2 million deaths, with 715,430 new cases and 8,033 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to expand. To date, 40,031,174 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 96,692 in the previous 24 hours. In the previous 7 days, more than 545,241 vaccines have been administered in Australia.
More than 93.2 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 97.9 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 88.9 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated, including more than 95.1 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 98.7 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
National Cabinet will meet again in February 2022.
Omicron Variant
National Cabinet received an update from the Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly on the Omicron variant and governments’ responses. Professor Kelly advised that Australia is still in the early stages of understanding the Omicron variant.
National Cabinet noted that the Commonwealth Health Minister has extended the human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 for a further two months to 17 February 2022.
Vaccine Rollout
The Coordinator-General of the National COVID Vaccine Rollout, Lieutenant General Frewen, provided an update on the progress of administering vaccine boosters and delivery arrangements across Australia. He also updated National Cabinet on the plans to close the gap in vaccination rates between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and the general population, and on preparations underway to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children aged 5 to 11 years, including targeted communication strategies.
On 5 December 2021, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Pfizer vaccine for use in 5 to 11 year olds. Following recommendations from the Australian Technology Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the rollout for this age group – approximately 2.3 million children – is expected to begin on 10 January 2022.
Professors Murphy and Kelly provided an update on advice from the TGA and ATAGI on vaccinating 5 to 11 year olds in 2022 and the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as a booster.
Test, trace, isolate and quarantine measures, alongside public health and social measures such as mask wearing, remain key to ensuring COVID-19 cases in the community remain within clinical capacity. National Cabinet noted that, as Australia transitions through the National Plan, test, trace, isolate, quarantine (TTIQ) and public health and social measures (PHSM) settings can be adjusted for different local circumstances.
COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plans for Indigenous Communities
The need to update existing COVID-19 outbreak management plans is necessary in light of the Omicron variant and current outbreaks in the Northern Territory. National Cabinet agreed updated plans from the Commonwealth and states and territories which will protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Commonwealth will continue to monitor the situation and provide the relevant state and territories assistance against the virus during the pandemic, including variants of concern.
National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response
National Cabinet noted the significant progress in reopening Australia under the National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response. All jurisdictions are expected to reach 80 per cent vaccination coverage for their populations, 16 and over, and enter Phase C of the National Plan by the end of 2021.
National Cabinet welcomed plans by Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory to reopen borders next week.
National Cabinet agreed the Chief Medical Officer will work with the Doherty Institute to develop advice on thresholds to inform transition to Phase D of the National Plan for the next meeting of National Cabinet.
Living with COVID-19 – Health System Capacity
National Cabinet received an update on progress being made by all states and territories on enhancing health system capacity planning under the various phases of the National Plan to Transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response and potential surge responses.
National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth’s progress to support primary care providers in preparation for all of us continuing to live with COVID-19 in the community.
National Cabinet agreed local hospital networks and other relevant jurisdictional bodies should work together to develop COVID-19 Community Care Pathways to ensure that they adequately address the specific requirements of vulnerable and high risk populations.
National Cabinet agreed to support the updated Communicable Disease Network of Australia (CDNA) guidelines on health care worker restrictions. This will ensure workforce furlough policies reflect the latest advice for a highly vaccinated workforce.
Reopening of International Borders and Travel
National Cabinet noted the steps taken by the Commonwealth to adjust Australia’s international border settings in a manner consistent with a suppression strategy, and proportionate to the current health information on Omicron.
As more evidence relating to disease severity, transmissibility and vaccine effectiveness becomes available, the Commonwealth will continue to consider Australia’s international border settings in a manner consistent with a suppression strategy.
The Commonwealth continues to welcome Australian citizens, permanent residents and their families, New Zealand citizens, Singaporean citizens and other cohorts of travellers already approved for travel, including seasonal workers and international student pilots.
National Cabinet welcomed Queensland’s announcement that it would reopen to fully vaccinated Australian citizens or permanent residents who have a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to departure from 13 December 2021. These travellers will be required to undertake a period of home quarantine subject to conditions set by Queensland Health.
Caps on International Passengers
From 13 March 2021 to 7 December 2021, approximately 767,456 Australian citizens and permanent residents returned home, 11,335 of whom returned since 1 November.
The total returned since March 2020 includes 32,853 Australians on 216 facilitated commercial flights (FCFs), as at 7 December 2021.
In order to manage and maintain quarantine arrangements across the jurisdictions of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, the following international air passenger arrival caps are currently in place:

• New South Wales – 210 per week
• Victoria – 250 per week
• Queensland – 1,000 per week (plus 300 per week surge capacity)
• Western Australia – 530 per week
• South Australia – 320 per week.

Fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate families can travel above caps into New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, subject to home quarantine and testing requirements.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Today National Cabinet provided in‑principle endorsement of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement (National Agreement), which will be finalised in early 2022.
The National Agreement considers key mental health reports and inquiries including the key recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Mental Health and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s Final Advice. It outlines actions to build a comprehensive, coordinated, consumer‑focused and compassionate mental health and suicide prevention system to support all Australians.
The National Agreement will: clarify roles and responsibilities; progress improvements in the mental health services available to adults, children and youth; improve data collection, sharing and evaluation; reduce gaps in the system of care; expand and enhance the workforce, including the peer workforce; and work to improve mental health and suicide prevention for all Australians, across a range of settings.
Women’s Economic Security
As part of National Cabinet’s work on a Nationally Consistent Reporting Framework for Measuring Progress of Women’s Economic Security, there was in principle agreement from the National Cabinet to provide public sector workforce data to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). This means that state and territory governments will join the Commonwealth Government’s commitment from earlier this year to provide data on six Gender Equality Indicators. This will expand the Australian workforce covered by consistent reporting on workforce gender equality approaches and outcomes, which can be used to continue to target efforts to reduce the gender pay gap.
Respect@Work
National Cabinet received a letter from the Chair of the Respect@Work Council and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, providing an update on improving the consistency of workplace sexual harassment data collection and sharing. The Council includes representatives from Commonwealth and state and territory regulatory bodies, including industrial relations, workers compensation and work, health and safety organisations, and human rights and anti-discrimination bodies. The National Cabinet noted that the Council will continue to work to improve data collection, reporting and sharing, to support preventing and addressing workplace sexual harassment.
National Cabinet Reform Priorities
National Cabinet noted the Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) and the National Cabinet Reform Committees (NCRCs) have progressed a series of important reforms during 2021 under ambitious timeframes, with highlights including: implementation of automatic mutual recognition of occupational registrations in most jurisdictions, a ‘post-2025’ market design for the National Electricity Market, a package of reforms to unlock new gas supply and improve the functioning of gas pipeline markets, reforms to industry engagement arrangements underpinning the Vocational and Education Training system, reforms to expedite infrastructure projects, and establishment of a Regional Delivery Unit to support state and territory governments to navigate Commonwealth services, programs and approvals.
National Cabinet noted that in 2022, NCRCs will continue to focus on delivering important reforms, including finalisation of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement and the National Skills Agreement.
Today, National Cabinet also agreed the Energy NCRC will focus in 2022 on enabling the adoption and integration of new technologies. This includes improving the integration and recognition of clean hydrogen and bioenergy into energy markets; ensuring the electricity network is ready for the rapid adoption of electric vehicles by incentivising the use of smart charging; and improving the regulatory framework for transmission.

The Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity has today recommended that a judicial inquiry with the powers of a royal commission be established to examine whether the existing system of media regulation is fit‐for‐purpose and to investigate the concentration of media ownership in Australia.
The majority report of the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee further recommended a number of measures to be implemented in the meantime to ensure a diverse news media landscape and to protect public interest journalism and our democracy.
The inquiry was established by Greens Senator Hanson-Young in response to more than half a million Australians signing a petition started by former PM Kevin Rudd calling for the establishment of a royal commission into the Murdoch media dominance in Australia.
Today’s report is the culmination of almost 13 months of investigation by the senate inquiry which held five public hearings and received close to 10,000 submissions from members of the public, news organisations, businesses and corporations, experts and other stakeholders.
Committee Chair and Greens Media Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“More than a year ago, half a million Australians urged the parliament to establish a royal commission into the dominance of the Murdoch-media empire. In response, the Senate supported the Greens move to establish an inquiry and today we have a report that has concluded the call by more than half a million Aussies was warranted.
“The majority of the committee which undertook this 13-month-long inquiry, has recommended the establishment of a judicial inquiry with the powers and weight of royal commission into the state of media diversity and dominance in Australia. This is a move the parliament itself can make.
“It’s clear the regulatory system for media in this country is broken. Monopolies have been allowed to flourish in both traditional media and through online platforms. Mechanisms that should ensure accountability and responsible reporting are slow and ineffective and we are seeing a rise in misinformation that is causing serious harm in our community.
“During the course of this inquiry, the problems with the system became increasingly apparent with the dangerous rise in the spread of misinformation both through traditional media and online platforms. This simply cannot go unchecked and unregulated, the health of our communities and our democracy is at stake.
“The evidence that the Murdoch media empire is indeed a dangerous monopoly was heard loud and clear. From climate-denialism to gendered, partisan attacks, and providing a platform for racism and for covid disinformation, the impact of both concentration of media ownership and a failing regulatory system was obvious.
“Throughout the inquiry we heard about the many Australian journalists that produce high-quality, in-depth reporting with integrity and professionalism. It is those hard-working journalists that are being let down by a broken regulatory system and corporate culture inside news organisations that allows poor behaviour to flourish.
“Only an inquiry with the powers and weight of a royal commission can truly do this issue, so vital to our democracy, justice. The majority report also recommends a number of measures the government of the day should get on with implementing immediately to maintain public interest journalism and prevent a further decline of media diversity in Australia.
“The Greens moved for this inquiry and have long advocated for public interest journalism to be better protected. Today we are also releasing our election commitment to measures to strengthen media diversity in Australia. Further information on the policy can be found here.
“From providing emergency information about bushfires, health information during the pandemic and asking the tough questions about government integrity, quality journalism is at the heart of a functioning democracy.
“The Greens’ policies to properly fund our public broadcasters and save the ABC from attacks by the Morrison-Joyce Government, ensure stable funding for the independent newswire, and for the introduction of a Media Freedom Act, will go a long way to protecting public interest journalism and the fourth pillar of our democracy.”

Liberal and Labor need to join with the Greens in making the energy operator’s plan for a renewable superpower a reality, Greens Leader Adam Bandt said today.
The draft Integrated System Plan released by the Australian Energy Market Operator includes 4 possible futures for the electricity grid, including a Hydrogen Superpower scenario which would see coal close within a decade.
The Hydrogen Superpower scenario models what is necessary to meet the Paris and Glasgow target of 1.5 degrees of warming, with massive investment in wind, solar, storage and transmission, and almost quadruples electricity demand to allow the electrification of homes, businesses, transport and industry and to underpin massive exports in hydrogen and ammonia.
Even the Step Change scenario sees coal being phased out much earlier than either Liberal or Labor plan for, meaning the major parties’ election policies keep coal in the system for much longer than necessary.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“Australia’s energy operator is showing we can become a renewable energy superpower and end our dependence on coal and gas, but government needs to act.
“Coal and gas can exit the system much sooner than either Labor or Liberal are planning. Labor and Liberal want to keep coal and gas in the system longer than necessary.
“Even AEMO’s more conservative Step Change scenario sees enormous amounts of coal go, but it won’t happen if Liberal and Labor intervene to keep coal in.
“The engineers can do it and the industry sees it coming, but Liberal and Labor are pushing against the tide, using public money to keep coal and gas in the system, locking in decades of emissions.”

The Greens will go to the election fighting for a judicial inquiry into media regulation and ownership in Australia and will push for the inquiry in the next parliament and minority government.
Greens Spokesperson for Media and Chair of the Committee Inquiry into Media Diversity Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“We need a judicial inquiry with the powers of a Royal Commission because politicians and political parties are too weak-kneed in the face of Murdoch’s power and influence to make and break political careers.
“The public is urging us to have the courage to take on the serious issues of media diversity, disinformation and put in place a regulatory system that is hit for purpose.
“The Greens will push in next parliament and minority government for a judicial inquiry into media regulation and ownership.
“The Greens are the only party brave enough to stand up to the Murdoch-media empire and back the half a million Australians calling for a Royal Commission.
“The retreat by Labor shows just how much power News Corp wields in Australia. The monopoly of the Murdoch-media empire is a cancer on our democracy.
“After more than a year of taking an enormous amount of evidence, the majority of the committee concluded the regulatory system is broken and concentrated media ownership is a threat to our democracy.
“The majority report urges an independent judicial inquiry so that politics is left out of it and there is trust and integrity in the process. Labor’s disregard of their own senators’ support for the recommendations has shown just how necessary such independence is.”

The Morrison-Joyce Government is providing an early Christmas present to 166 Men’s Sheds across the country, who will receive a share of $500,000 to continue to support the health of men through the National Shed Development Programme (NSDP).
Many of the grants, of up to $10,000, will be used to purchase lifesaving defibrillators, IT equipment and provide training.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said there are more than 1,000 Men’s Sheds across the nation, and they play a vital role in preventing social isolation and mental ill health.
“Men’s Sheds offer thousands of men of all ages a safe and friendly environment where they can work on meaningful projects and build social connections,” Minister Hunt said.
“Since 2013, the Coalition Government has provided more than $6.4 million to support Men’s Sheds through the programme.”
The Government also took action to help alleviate social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic by prioritising applications for IT equipment and training, which helps to maintain friendships and connection to shed projects and reduces social isolation.
Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, said the Government awards grants to Men’s Sheds in three categories – health and wellbeing events, shed improvements, and tools and equipment.
“Many Sheds were forced to close their doors this year due to the pandemic, however that didn’t stop the shed community from staying connected. Coordinators made sure their members felt valued and part of a strong, positive community during such a difficult time,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Men’s Sheds are an integral part of their local communities and support many men in many ways. Our Government will continue to support regional and rural Men’s Sheds as part of our comprehensive approach to improving the health of Australian men.”
A Men’s Shed can range from purpose-built facilities, multipurpose buildings, or shared spaces that are used regularly to foster positive community spirit among men.
Sheds are able to apply for funding and grants up to a total of $10,000, with priority given to sheds in disadvantaged areas.
The NSDP provides funding to Men’s Sheds through a competitive grants process.
Applications for Round 23 of the NSDP will be opened in mid-January 2022.

GP practices in towns throughout regional, rural and remote Australia will have more options and a larger pool of doctors to recruit from, following changes announced by the Morrison Joyce Government.
From 1 January 2022, there will be automatic access to the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification for regional and larger rural towns (MMM 3-4), to make it easier for areas to recruit more doctors.
The DPA classification identifies locations in Australia with a shortage of doctors. Currently, only rural and remote (MMM 5-7) communities receive automatic DPA status, with other MMM locations having to be assessed annually to see whether the health services for the population meet a service benchmark.
If access is under the benchmark, a town is classified as a DPA and clinics in that area can employ doctors subject to a moratorium, such as those who have trained overseas.
Students who have accepted a Commonwealth Supported Place in an Australian medical course in return for a commitment to work in a regional, rural and remote area at the end of their studies must also work in a DPA.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said this change would provide a real difference to patients across country Australia.
“Short term, this means that practices can begin reaching out to overseas doctors who want to move to the regions and practise there,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This change begins from 1 January 2022, and I know that regional and rural practices will be working hard to take full advantage of this significant change.”
Dr Gillespie said the DPA expansion would mean more regional and rural communities would have access to a GP in the short term.
“More rural and regional areas will be able to utilise the DPA system when recruiting doctors for their region, whether they be those who are wanting to move here from overseas or young doctors who have accepted a place in return for working in a regional area,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This change will help ensure rural and regional areas have a choice of more doctors to work in their local communities, leading to increased access to GP and primary care services for many thousands of Australians in regional and rural communities.”
The Morrison Joyce Government will also invest in a significant incentive for eligible doctors and nurse practitioners to practice in rural, remote or very remote areas of Australia, by eliminating all or part of their Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) debt subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the Government is acutely aware of the maldistribution of health workforce around the country and is implementing a range of policies to get more GPs, nurses and allied health professionals to areas where they are needed.
“This is just another measure that our government is using to attract more GPs to regional areas,” Minister Hunt said.
“Incentivising doctors and nurse practitioners to live and work outside of metropolitan areas will help improve access to quality health care for regional, rural and remote communities.”
“This new initiative shows that our government is serious about supporting doctors who genuinely commit to practise in regional, rural and remote towns, which offers continuity of care, instead of having an over-reliance on locums,” Dr Gillespie said.
“That’s why we have committed to a number of immediate initiatives to reward doctors and nurse practitioners for working in regional, rural and remote Australia.
“The Morrison Joyce Government is focused on delivering better outcomes, reducing access barriers and creating a flexible system that works for all Australians, regardless of where they live.
“This announcement continues to build on our Government’s Stronger Rural Health Strategy and our longstanding efforts to grow our own rural GP and medical workforce,” Dr Gillespie said.

The human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will be extended for a further two months.
These arrangements, which have been in place since 18 March 2020 to protect Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue until 17 February 2022.
The extension of these arrangements made by the Governor-General was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.
Continuation of these arrangement will allow the important measures currently in place to continue as the Government continues to reopen Australia and act decisively to respond to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
The extension means the four existing emergency requirement Determinations will remain in force for the duration of the extension period, with the ability to be revoked at an earlier time, depending on medical advice.
These Determinations include:

1. Mandatory pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights
2. Restrictions on international travel from high risk countries
3. Restrictions on outbound international travel for unvaccinated Australians
4. Restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory (this Determination will be reviewed monthly).

These arrangements have been a significant contributing factor in Australia’s success in avoiding the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 seen in many other countries.
It has enabled Australia to respond quickly to moderate the number of inbound and outbound travellers, protect remote and indigenous communities from localised outbreaks, reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 on flights and at international airports in Australia and further manage the number of cases in quarantine facilities.
The human biosecurity emergency period ensures the appropriate legislative powers are available to the Australian Government as further information is gained and understood about Omicron, as well as to protect vulnerable communities in Australia.
As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these arrangements will be reviewed regularly to take into account the latest medical advice.
The Government continues to work constructively with the cruise ship industry, with whom we remain actively engaged alongside state and territory governments to enable a phased resumption of cruising in Australia on the basis of medical advice.
As part of this work, the Government will continually review, on a monthly basis, whether the current restrictions on cruise ships can be safely lifted or amended.
The measures in place under the Biosecurity Act 2015 can be repealed or amended at any time prior to the end of the human biosecurity emergency period and it will be continuously reviewed as a priority.