After a second COVID-interrupted year in 2021, Netball NSW has launched a fun new campaign to get participants excited ahead of their return to the netty court.
Entitled It’s Gotta Be Netball, the campaign focuses on the fun and friendship of being a part of the netball community, which remains one of the leaders in the grassroots sport across NSW and Australia.
The campaign aims to encourage the wider community to return to, or start playing the game we all love and to support Clubs and Associations across the state to drive registrations and engagement.
It came about following extensive brand strategy work undertaken throughout 2021, incorporating valuable feedback from the netball community.
Netball NSW CEO Tain Drinkwater acknowledged the past two years had been challenging, but said the gradual re-opening and mass vaccination of NSW gave great cause for optimism – and this campaign is the epitome of that:
“Netball competitions across the state have been hit hard by COVID impacts over the past two years but in 2022 we want to get everyone back on the court playing the game we love,” she said.
“I think this campaign illustrates the optimism we can now feel. Through bright and colourful imagery and photos, It’s Gotta Be Netball showcases and reminds everyone about the joy and friendship that being involved in netball offers kids, teens and adults.
“Netball is all about welcoming everyone to have fun, enjoy fitness and to belong to this wonderful tribe of likeminded people. I can’t wait to see our Clubs and Associations get behind this, and also look forward to seeing the new people it brings to the game.”
The state-wide campaign will be seen and heard across metro and regional areas on radio, outdoor signage, websites and social media.
The official campaign launched today, Monday, 17 January and will run for six weeks
Month: January 2022
$24 million for telehealth to support GPs, specialists and their patients to stay connected, and over 20 million units of PPE
As Omicron case numbers grow, the Australian Government will make temporary changes to Telehealth to give GPs and specialists additional flexibility to support their patients safely, including the continued supply of PPE and online support. An additional $24 million has been committed to fund these changes and builds on the $34 billion provided since the pandemic began.
Telehealth has been a vital support during the pandemic providing greater flexibility in healthcare delivery at the most critical time and it continues to be a fundamental part of the pandemic response.
The Government will introduce temporary specialist inpatient telehealth MBS items (video and phone) and initial and complex specialist telephone consultation items, and longer telephone consultations for GP’s (level C) until 30 June 2022.
These services will be made available nationally rather than targeted to Commonwealth-declared hotspots as they were previously, recognising the high infection rate and need to provide healthcare support across the community.
Enabling specialist medical practitioners to provide telehealth consultations to hospital in-patients as a temporary measure will support continuity of care for patients when their doctor cannot attend the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Helping GPs and specialists manage their patients with mild symptoms will relieve pressure on Australia’s hospital system, ensuring people who need hospital care can get it, and our hard-working hospital staff can sustain their incredible efforts through the current Omicron surge.
These short term telehealth measures will also help to minimise risks for patients who would otherwise have to travel for a face-to-face consultation, especially people living in rural and remote Australia, vulnerable and older patients. They will also benefit people who are immunocompromised, under the care of a psychiatrist, living with cancer or pregnant.
The Government will also expand the MBS item for GPs caring for COVID positive patients in the community through face-to-face consultations to include patients that have tested positive through a rapid antigen test (RAT). This aligns with National Cabinet’s decision on 5 January 2022 that RAT tests no longer need to be confirmed by PCR.
To support GPs and others providing face to face care for COVID-positive patients, the Government is also providing comprehensive packages of personal protective equipment (PPE) to GPs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and GP Respiratory Clinics.
Over the next three months, over 20 million units of PPE will be provided for primary care, including nine million p2/n95 masks for GPs and three million for pharmacists across Australia. These are being prioritised for rural, regional and remote areas where access to PPE can be challenging. Shipments began before Christmas and are continuing nationwide.
The Australian Government has also worked with Healthdirect to develop a national assessment, triage and notification infrastructure. This will connect people who test positive with the appropriate level of care and advice based on guidelines developed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (soon to be available in multiple community languages). This is expected to commence in Queensland on 17 January 2022 with other states to follow.
Through this service, Healthdirect – which already provides the National Coronavirus Hotline, symptom checker and a range of online resources – will be the point of contact for anyone with a positive COVID result to receive assessment, information on what to do and connect them to appropriate care.
This is supported by community care pathways developed across jurisdictions to ensure GPs have the information they need to manage patients, and that people recovering at home can be referred to social support services if they face challenges during their isolation period.
These measures join the $180 million Living with COVID package for primary care announced last year, which extends the reach and role of GP Respiratory Clinics. Patients with COVID positive results can safely attend these clinics for assessment and management, rather than presenting at emergency departments in non-urgent circumstances.
Like regular practices, GP Respiratory Clinics will guide and support people to monitor their symptoms at home and seek additional medical assistance when appropriate.
Throughout the pandemic the Australian Government has worked closely with state and territory governments and peak organisations to respond to changing circumstances. We have listened to our frontline workers and made changes to help them help their patients.
All these changes support GPs and specialist medical practitioners to manage the significant increase in Australians with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.
They will ensure continuity of care for Australians, whether they have COVID or other conditions, relieve pressure on the hospital system during the current Omicron surge, and help communities all over the country to get through the present challenges as soon as possible.
Information relating to COVID-19 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phoning the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 or visit www.aus.gov.au.
| PPE allocations For GPs – Jan to March 2022
For Pharmacists – Jan to March 2022
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Rent relief extended for small businesses
Small businesses that are continuing to face challenges due to COVID-19 will benefit from an additional two months of rent relief, with the NSW Government extending its rent relief regulation until March 13.
Treasurer Matt Kean said it was a difficult time for many businesses and this extension will provide much-needed support for small commercial and retail tenants to keep their doors open over the coming weeks and months.
“Small business is the engine room of our economy and we need to make sure we support impacted businesses through this latest Omicron wave,” Mr Kean said.
“With staff shortages and reduced foot traffic, many businesses are struggling at the moment but the ability to negotiate rent will give them a buffer so they can keep the lights on now and recover more quickly.”
“We appreciate and acknowledge the constructive approach of commercial owners in working together with their tenants in these very challenging circumstances.”
Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said eligibility for rent relief would remain unchanged.
“We know that rent is one of the biggest fixed costs for small businesses and this measure will provide crucial support helping them get through the next couple of months,” Ms Petinos said.
Commercial and retail tenants will be eligible for the rent relief if they have an annual turnover of less than $5 million and continue to meet the eligibility criteria for JobSaver or the Micro-business Grant, had those programs continued.
Landlords of tenants that have received protections for any period under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2022 are prohibited from evicting their tenants for certain breaches of the lease, without first attending mediation.
NSW landowners will also have more time now to apply for land tax relief, with applications extended until 28 February for eligible commercial and residential landowners.
Eligible landlords can access the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund, which provides small commercial or retail landlords with a monthly grant up to the value of any rental relief provided, to a maximum of $3,000 per month per property.
To find out more about land tax relief: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-land-tax-relief
To find out more about the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/commercial-landlord-hardship-fund-guidelines
For more on the rent relief extension, go to:
Commercial leases and COVID-19 FAQs | Small Business Commissioner (nsw.gov.au)
Lifeline for Major Events in NSW
Organisers of major events and festivals that have been cancelled or significantly disrupted by COVID Public Health Orders will be supported by funding through the NSW Government’s Event Saver Fund.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding was a critical lifeline for major event organisers who have had to cancel, postpone or vary their events, providing them the financial security and certainty to plan and deliver their future events in NSW.
“Major events are a key economic driver that create thousands of jobs across the state. The Event Saver Fund will ensure that organisers aren’t left high and dry as we work through this latest phase of the pandemic and sends a strong signal that the Government is here to support business,” Mr Perrottet said.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding was recognition of the important impact major events have on driving tourism as well as on the broader NSW economy.
“Festivals and major events are huge drawcards and they have been significantly disrupted by the latest Omicron wave of COVID-19,” Mr Kean said.
“It is vital we provide them the support they need when their event is impacted by a Public Health Order. That is exactly what this funding commitment does.”
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said while the pandemic has had a devastating effect on artists’ ability to perform live, today’s announcement shows the Government’s strong commitment to the arts.
“Major events provide tremendous social benefits to the community, bringing us together to enjoy live performances,” Mr Franklin said.
“As we look to rebound from the effects of the past two years, this funding will help support local jobs and ensure major event organisers can plan with confidence to safely deliver their events in 2022/23.”
Major event organisers will, from today, be able to pay suppliers, staff and recover other costs where an event is cancelled or significantly disrupted as a result of public health orders imposed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information and to apply for funding, please visit www.create.nsw.gov.au.
Motorcycle rider dies in crash – Hunter Valley
An investigation is underway after a motorcyclist died in a two-vehicle crash in the Hunter Valley region yesterday.
About 3.15pm (Friday 14 January 2022), emergency services were called to Richmond Vale Road, Mulbring, about 20km east of Cessnock, after a Suzuki GSX motorcycle and Toyota Camry sedan collided.
Both the car and motorcycle caught alight.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the rider – a 39-year-old man – died at the scene
The male driver of the Camry, and his female passenger – both aged 66 – sustained minor injuries and were taken to John Hunter Hospital. The woman suffered a suspected broken hand.
The NSW Rural Fire Service attended and extinguished the blaze.
A crime scene was established by officers from Hunter Valley Police District, who are making inquiries into the cause of the collision.
$21.8 million to turn medical research into better patient care
The Morrison Government is investing more than $21 million to help turn vital medical research into better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for patients.
The grants announced today will support projects targeting a range of health issues affecting Australians, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They are:
- $10 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Targeted Translation Research Accelerator to create a Cardiovascular Disease Research Centre, the Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator
- $10 million from the MRFF Targeted Translation Research Accelerator to create a Diabetes Research Centre, the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations
- $1.76 million in industry-led fellowships for researchers and clinicians from the MRFF Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative.
Australian medical researchers are among the best in the world. Our Government’s investments will help take their innovations from bench to bedside and ensure that their research is pursued, to make a real difference to people’s lives while also boosting our economy and creating jobs.
The MRFF funding to establish the research centres for cardiovascular disease and diabetes will be used to accelerate the development of new therapies towards clinical practice and improved patient care.
This investment will be supplemented by substantial co-contributions from the sector, with more than $11 million in cash and $23.3 million of “in kind” support committed by the research centres’ partner organisations, leveraging the Government’s own $20 million commitment.
Both national research centres are uniquely placed to foster collaborations across academia, industry, and community and consumer groups, enabling considerable advances towards tangible products and solutions for sustainable health and economic benefits.
The Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator will help to transform the field of cardiovascular disease research in Australia by bringing a new sector-wide focus on clinical impact and clinical entrepreneurship.
The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations will deliver novel interventions for debilitating diabetes complications, building an ecosystem of translation, commercialisation and clinical impact for the diabetes sector.
I am also pleased to announce the next cohort of REDI Fellowships to support Australian researchers, clinicians, and professionals in medical technologies, biotechnologies and pharmaceuticals gain real world experience and skills by being deployed into industry settings.
REDI is a four-year initiative supported by the MRFF and delivered by MTPConnect.
The ten researchers and clinicians selected as REDI Fellows will be working on priority research projects covering a broad range of fields, from robot-assisted electrode insertion to precision cancer diagnostics and new antibiotics targeting drug-resistant “superbugs”.
The MRFF is a $20 billion endowment fund which is providing a sustainable, long term boost to Australia’s medical research sector.
2021 Targeted Translation Research Accelerator Research Centres
Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry Fellowships
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Fatal pedestrian crash – Thornton
A pedestrian has died after being hit by a car at Thornton this morning.
Just after 2.30am (Friday 14 January 2022), emergency services were called to the New England Highway near Weakleys Drive, Thornton, following reports a pedestrian had been hit by a Ford Falcon sedan.
Despite efforts to revive the man, he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
The driver of the Ford – a 30-year-old man – was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Local traffic diversions are in place and motorists are urged to avoid the area.
As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information, or dashcam vision from the area, to come forward.
$25.6 million investment to turbocharge Australian health projects
Investing in medical research projects with the potential to deliver better health outcomes to more Australians is a Government priority.
That is why the Morrison Government is investing more than $25 million in three companies working at the cutting edge to save lives and improve lives.
The investments from the Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF) announced today will support projects targeting a range of health issues affecting Australians. They are:
- $10 million to Cynata Therapeutics to support work on the large-scale manufacture of stem cells
- $5 million to Acrux Limited to develop drugs that are taken through the skin, not as injections or pills
- $10.6 million to Axial Therapeutics for the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders, harnessing ground-breaking science in the microbiome-gut-brain axis, including developing a new therapy for children with autism.
The $500 million BTF consists of equal parts Commonwealth and private sector funding, to commercialise high potential medical discoveries.
The Morrison Government is backing Australia’s next generation of medical advances and the investments mean these businesses have the potential to take their technology to the next level.
The BTF investment in Cynata Therapeutics means it can continue its work to develop commercial scale manufacture of stem cells, without the use of multiple bone marrow donors.
Stem cells are used to treat a range of diseases including heart disease, osteoarthritis and stroke.
Acrux Limited will use its BTF funding to develop and commercialise topical drugs (gels, creams and ointments). This is an alternative to needle injections or oral medications that may need to be taken several times a day and may have an unpleasant taste.
The BTF investment will allow Axial Therapeutics to advance its gut-restricted molecular therapy for irritability in children with autism. It will also be used to progress the company’s program of drug discovery for serious neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, based on the microbiome gut-brain axis.
Our Government continues to invest in the cutting-edge medical technologies and treatments that will save lives, while growing a sector that can create jobs for Australians now and into the future.
2021 New Biomedical Translation Fund Investments
| Project | Recipient | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| The large-scale manufacture of stem cells | Cynata Therapeutics | $10,000,000 |
| Topical drug development | Acrux Limited | $5,000,000 |
| Harnessing the microbiome-gut-brain axis | Axial Therapeutics | $10,600,000 |
| Total | $25,600,000 | |
Prevent, Prepare, Rebuild: Labor's plan for Disaster Readiness
An Albanese Labor Government will improve Australia’s disaster readiness by investing up to $200 million per year on disaster prevention and resilience.
Thousands of Australians who face bushfires, floods and cyclones every year deserve to be protected by a Federal Government who plans ahead and invests to keep them safe.
Labor’s Disaster Ready Fund will curb the devastating impacts of natural disasters by investing in important disaster prevention projects like flood levees, sea walls, cyclone shelters, evacuation centres, fire breaks and telecommunications improvements.
These investments will literally save lives, not to mention the taxpayers’ funds that have to be spent on recovery and repairs when disasters hit.
Australians are renowned as the best disaster responders in the world. They deserve to be backed by a government that looks forward, plans and prevents the worst.
Instead, the Morrison Government continues to sit on a $4.7 billion Emergency Response Fund that has done nothing to help.
Three years after it was announced, the ERF has not spent a cent on disaster recovery and has not completed a single disaster prevention project. The only thing it has done is earn the Government over $750 million in investment returns.
Labor will revamp the failed ERF so that it spends up to $200 million per year for disaster prevention and resilience.
If matched by State, Territory or local governments, it would provide up to $400 million annually for investment in disaster prevention and resilience – something called for by groups as broad as the Government’s own Productivity Commission, insurers, local governments and disaster relief bodies.
Labor’s Plan for Disaster Readiness will also:
- Continue to fully fund disaster recovery through the existing Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
- Cut red tape so disaster resilience funding can get out the door faster
- Improve the efficiency of disaster recovery processes, to simplify and speed up payments to disaster victims and repairs to damaged infrastructure.
- Assist with spiralling insurance premiums in disaster-prone regions, by reducing the risk of expensive damage to homes and businesses.
As with COVID-19, the Morrison Government’s failure to plan and prepare for natural disasters has left Australians vulnerable.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We know weather events are on the horizon – we have the smarts and the resources to prepare and prevent. We just need a government with a plan.
Only an Albanese Labor Government will keep Australians safe and communities strong in the face of natural disasters.
Only Labor will build a better future for disaster prone communities.
Delivering a Bigger and Better Beef in 2024
An Albanese Labor Government would invest $6 million in Beef Australia 2024 to turbocharge the event and ensure it is bigger and better in 2024.
This investment will help to expand Australia’s world-class beef industry and grow the visitor economy in Rockhampton.
The pandemic has made the importance of having a strong Australian agricultural sector clearer than ever. From skills and labour shortages to supply chain disruptions, the Morrison-Joyce Government has let the sector down.
Empty supermarket shelves are demonstrating this stark reality to families across the country right now and are emphasising the importance of Australian food producers to our quality of life.
Labor has learned the lessons of the pandemic and is planning for a better future. We will invest in making Australia more self-reliant and self-sufficient – and that starts with ensuring our agricultural sector is thriving.
Labor understands just how critical the beef industry is to Central Queensland, which is why we would deliver this important new funding.
Beef Australia already generates more than $92 million in economic impact for the Greater Rockhampton Region and $59.5 million for Queensland.
The Australian beef industry is worth more than $15 billion to the Australian economy.
This expansion will benefit the local Rockhampton economy, giving more visitors the opportunity to attend Beef Australia 2024 and add further value to Australia’s world-class beef industry.
This commitment is particularly critical as the beef industry seeks to reengage with global export partners after COVID-19 restrictions.
Beef Australia is unable to expand at the current site without infrastructure investment.
This funding would fix this problem, helping to:
This investment will help to expand Australia’s world-class beef industry and grow the visitor economy in Rockhampton.
The pandemic has made the importance of having a strong Australian agricultural sector clearer than ever. From skills and labour shortages to supply chain disruptions, the Morrison-Joyce Government has let the sector down.
Empty supermarket shelves are demonstrating this stark reality to families across the country right now and are emphasising the importance of Australian food producers to our quality of life.
Labor has learned the lessons of the pandemic and is planning for a better future. We will invest in making Australia more self-reliant and self-sufficient – and that starts with ensuring our agricultural sector is thriving.
Labor understands just how critical the beef industry is to Central Queensland, which is why we would deliver this important new funding.
Beef Australia already generates more than $92 million in economic impact for the Greater Rockhampton Region and $59.5 million for Queensland.
The Australian beef industry is worth more than $15 billion to the Australian economy.
This expansion will benefit the local Rockhampton economy, giving more visitors the opportunity to attend Beef Australia 2024 and add further value to Australia’s world-class beef industry.
This commitment is particularly critical as the beef industry seeks to reengage with global export partners after COVID-19 restrictions.
Beef Australia is unable to expand at the current site without infrastructure investment.
This funding would fix this problem, helping to:
- Increase the physical footprint of the event in the city of Rockhampton,
- Invest in more infrastructure to meet growing requirements of a technology enabled event,
- Revitalise the international program to reconnect with international customers and supply chain partners.
Only an Albanese Labor Government can be trusted to deliver for Central Queensland.