Month: March 2022

Australians with cystic fibrosis will soon have access to a new treatment following the listing of Trikafta® on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

From April 1, Trikafta® (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor) will be available on the PBS for the first time for Australians with cystic fibrosis aged 12 years and older, who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. F508del is the most common mutation.

In Australia, one in 2,500 babies are born with cystic fibrosis and there is currently no cure. 

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections. The condition is caused by genetic defects that limit the flow of chloride and water through cell membranes, resulting in a thick, sticky build-up of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs and over time limits the ability to breathe and makes it easier for germs to grow.
Trikafta® works by improving the flow of chloride and water in patients who have a certain genetic defect and helps improve lung function and breathing. 

The median life expectancy for Australians with cystic fibrosis is 47 years. Tragically, this is significantly lower than the average Australian.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the listing of Trikafta® would be life changing for many Australians with cystic fibrosis and their families.

“Without PBS subsidy, around 1,900 Australians would pay more than $250,000 a year for access to Trikafta®,” Minister Hunt said. 

“This treatment is out of reach for most Australians, and now that it will be available on the PBS, patients will only pay a maximum of $42.50 per script, or as little as $6.80 with a concession card.

“I am so proud that one of the final treatments listed on the PBS under my watch as Minister for Health is Trikafta®. This listing will make access to treatment within reach for thousands of Australians with CF each year.” 

Since 2013, the Coalition Government has approved more than 2,800 new and amended listings on the PBS. This is at an overall investment by Government of $15 billion.

The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid. 

This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

More than $38 million will be invested into mental health and suicide prevention support and services across the Australian Capital Territory over the next five years, following the signing of a landmark bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and ACT governments.

The Commonwealth will invest $25.2 million, and the ACT will invest $12.9 million to expand mental health care services to where they are needed the most.

New mental health services, particularly for people in the group known as the “missing middle”, and suicide prevention services, will be established.

The funding includes:

• $8.3 million to continue Head to Health adult mental health services across the ACT to address gaps in the mental health system, providing more integrated, seamless care for adults and older Australians. This will continue funding for the existing Head to Health service that opened in October 2021.
• $9 million to enhance child (and family) mental health initiatives to improve access to multidisciplinary team care to children, in line with the National Head to Health Kids Hub model. These enhancements will support more than 2,500 children and their families each year.
• $9.5 million to enhance the existing headspace centre to increase access to multidisciplinary youth mental health services in the ACT, and to establish a multidisciplinary early intervention service to support young people at risk of developing mental health concerns.
• $6 million to establish universal aftercare services in the ACT to support people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.
• $2.8 million to improve perinatal mental health screening and enhance the capture and reporting of nationally consistent perinatal mental health data.
• $1.9 million to deliver a community based early intervention service for eating disorders to promote help seeking behaviour and early intervention treatment for people in the early stages of developing an eating disorder and those with an eating disorder of low to moderate severity.

The ACT will also adopt and implement the Initial Assessment and Referral Tool in some settings to support consistent assessment and referral integration and establish an intake and assessment phone service to provide integration between Territory-funded mental health services.

In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and ACT governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system, through greater data sharing and evaluation of services, closer integration of referral pathways, and working together on the regional planning and commissioning of services. The bilateral agreement will also build and support the mental health and suicide prevention workforce, including the peer workforce.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the agreement will ensure people in the ACT will have access to additional mental health support, when and where they need it.

“This landmark agreement will be of immense benefit to everyone in the ACT and will support our ongoing national recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Hunt said.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said agreement will mean more Canberrans can access mental health support.

“This is an important investment into the ACT’s mental health support services. The ACT particularly welcomes the additional investment in early intervention and prevention as a part of the nation’s approach to addressing mental illness,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

ACT Minister for Mental Health, Emma Davidson, said the agreement will keep more Canberrans healthy, well and connected to services in their community.

“Canberrans should be able to access quality care and support for their mental health needs so they can stay well in the community. However, the reality is that many more people in our community are feeling distressed or anxious following the challenges of the pandemic and natural disasters caused by climate change,” Minister Davidson said.

“The agreement between the ACT and Australian Government will see more early intervention and prevention mental health services across Canberra so more people can stay well in our community.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the bilateral agreement will contribute to the landmark reform of the Australian mental health and suicide prevention system and will ensure Canberrans and those within the surrounding regions have access to additional mental health support.

“This partnership between the Commonwealth and ACT will have a significant impact on many thousands of peoples’ lives and it will also save lives,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“This is particularly true for aftercare services – we know the risk of suicide is greatest in the days and weeks following discharge from hospital due to a previous suicide attempt, yet not everyone in this group receives appropriate follow up support.

“These people are amongst our most vulnerable, and through this agreement we are committing to do everything we can to support them.”

The bilateral agreement with the ACT will form part of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, which is now in effect.

The National Agreement considers key mental health reports and inquiries including 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.

The Government continues to make mental health a national priority, investing a record $6.5 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021-22, doubling since 2012-13.

This includes $2.3 billion in the 2021-22 Budget for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform of the mental health system.

Australians who need support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time 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.

If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

The Morrison Government is backing Australia’s future tradies, plumbers, tilers and chefs with a $365.3 million investment that will support an extra 35,000 apprentices and trainees get into a job.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the extension of the successful Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidies would build on the record number of Australians currently in trades training.

“By backing 385,000 apprentices in their training we’re boosting the pipeline of workers Australia is going to need for a stronger economy and a stronger future,” the Prime Minister said.

“These programs deliver certainty for business so they can go and hire another apprentice chef, another apprentice hairdresser, another apprentice plumber. It is about getting Australians skilled and into jobs right now.

“I’ve met trade apprentices across the country supported by these programs and we want to help even more Australians take advantage of the skills and jobs that come with learning a trade.

“Trades training shores up our skills pipeline, gets people into work, drives down unemployment and gives businesses the confidence to keep on hiring.

“Learning a trade doesn’t just give you skills for a job, it gives you the skills and opportunities for your future. Out of a group of students studying trades I met just last week, more than half told me they were planning to one day open their own businesses and they know they can do that because they’re learning skills that people need.

“Right now, there are more than 350,000 apprentices and trainees in-training and a record 220,000 of these are trade apprentices, and these investments are about making those numbers go even higher.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this continued strong support for the skills sector would help lock in Australia’s economic recovery by delivering opportunities for apprentices and certainty for businesses.

“The 2022-23 Budget will outline the Government’s long term economic plan to create more jobs,” the Treasurer said.

“Through the Government’s plan to skill young Australians, there are 120,000 more young Australians in work compared to under the previous Labor government.”

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said the Morrison Government was investing record funding in the skills sector, $7.8 billion this financial year alone, which is helping secure the futures of tens of thousands of skilled workers.

“The Morrison Government’s record investment in skills and training is seeing hundreds of thousands of Australians – including a record number of women trade apprentices – getting skilled and taking up jobs,” Minister Robert said.

“Our investment in Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements has seen almost 75,000 women supported to get skilled since it was launched 18 months ago.

“Australia can’t afford to lose the momentum we have created on skills. Australians know the Morrison Government stands for getting more Australians skilled and into jobs, while at the same time Labor are proposing to cut skills funding and have no plan for apprenticeships.”

Enrolments for the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement wage subsidy, which provides employers with 12 months of wage subsidy support, are being extended to the end of the 2021-22 financial year (30 June 2022).

Any business that receives the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement (BAC) wage subsidy will also then be eligible for extended support through the Completing Apprenticeship Commencements (CAC) wage subsidy for the second and third year of a Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement-supported apprenticeship.

As of 24 March 2022, over 73,000 businesses have been supported to put on an apprentice or trainee through Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements subsidy.

Any employer who takes on an apprentice or trainee up until 30 June 2022 can gain access to:

• 50 per cent of the eligible Australian Apprentice’s wages in the first year, capped at a maximum payment value of $7,000 per quarter per Australian Apprentice,
• 10 per cent of the eligible Australian Apprentice’s wages in the second year, capped at a maximum payment value of $1,500 per quarter per Australian Apprentice, and
• 5 per cent of the eligible Australian Apprentice’s wages in the third year, capped at a maximum payment value of $750 per quarter per Australian Apprentice.

The Morrison Government will provide $375 million to create a new landmark cancer facility in Perth that will transform care and support for Western Australians, saving thousands of lives.

The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre proposed by the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (the Perkins), will include 10 operating theatres, intensive care units, hundreds of overnight rooms, extensive cancer treatment facilities and onsite cancer research.

The state-of-the-art facility, which will be located at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre Campus (QEII), will be based on the successful Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, focusing on treating all cancer types.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre would immeasurably change the lives of Western Australians living with cancer and allow them to receive world class treatment in the West.

“The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will improve the lives of thousands of Western Australians for the better, saving lives and providing specialist care and treatment to improve quality of life,” the Prime Minister said.

“Cancer reaches into the homes of almost every Australian and most of us know a relative, friend or family member who has cancer or are living with it and that’s why high quality specialist care is so important.

“And it’s why we’re backing in this transformational cancer facility to not only provide better care but to also deliver hope for so many Western Australians and their families dealing with this devastating disease.

“This facility will change lives and give West Australians the opportunity to have so many more precious life moments together by helping patients beat cancer and extend their lives. 

“It will also combine medical research and clinical trials in the same facility as cancer support services, giving West Australians the opportunity to access the newest treatments and care.

“This project is the dividend of a strong economy, providing us the opportunity to invest in life-saving cancer treatment meaning Western Australians won’t need to travel over east to get certain treatments.”

The Perkins sought $375 million in funding from the Federal Government, representing fifty per cent of the capital cost of construction. 

The Perkins is hopeful construction can start as planned and their facility could be operational in 2026.

The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will provide comprehensive cancer services in one facility, include diagnosis, treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy) and follow-up. It will include a gymnasium, massage therapy, music therapy, a wellness centre and more.

It will also integrate the Perkins’ world-class cancer research and clinical trial capacity, Linear Clinical Research, making it unique in WA, with the same site running clinical trials and treatment, providing access to the newest drugs.

Senator for Western Australian and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said like so many Western Australians her family had been touched by the loss of someone close to them.

“In November 2015 I lost my baby sister Joanna to a very rare form of cancer, Alveolar Soft Part Sarcomas (ASPS), after a courageous battle. The investment by the Morrison Government will radically change the journey for people living with cancer now and in the future,” Senator Cash said.

“The positive and lasting impact this funding boost will have on thousands of West Australian families cannot be understated.

“Given the size of our state, the treatment for cancer is often the worst part about the disease and families know all too well how hard it can be to organise, pay for and manage cancer treatment.

“With this investment we are providing the opportunity for improved chances of survival as well as better quality of life for cancer patients. This is something that no one can put dollar value on.

“Only the Morrison Government can be trusted to manage the nation’s finances so that we can deliver this level of support for cancer patients and their families in Western Australia.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the cancer facility would be life changing for West Australians and their families.

“The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will ensure that West Aussies with cancer can access the best treatment, care and support they need right here in their own home state,” Minister Hunt said.

“Today’s announcement in WA builds on the significant investments our Government continues to make into cancer research, treatment and support, like Genomics Australia, which once established will deliver precision medicine and treatments for Australians with cancer through treatment centres like the WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre.”

There are more than 50,000 Western Australians living with cancer and cancer has a large impact on the WA health system, accounting for more than 158,000 cancer related hospital admissions per year (14.4 per cent of total hospitalisations).

The planned facility would encompasses hundreds of new beds, comprising:

• 140 overnight and inpatient beds, 110 chemotherapy, medical and same day beds and chairs
• 10 operating theatres and an intensive care unit
• On site services including imaging, pharmacy, gymnasium, chemotherapy, medical oncology, haematology and radiation oncology, palliative care, Linear clinical trials (40 beds), day medical services, CAR T cell therapy suite, Perkins cancer laboratories, community wellness centre and provision for 350 parking bays
• The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre would also focus on outreach programs into the rural and remote regions, including a special focus on cancer in Indigenous Australians

More than 500 jobs will be created in the construction phase, with the new facility also supporting Perkins’ teams who have more than 400 research and clinical trial staff.

According to the Cancer Institute NSW, access to a dedicated, expert and multidisciplinary cancer service through a comprehensive cancer centre has been found to lead to better health outcomes and a greater chance of survival for patients at 90 days following treatment.

This is due to a number factors, including a concentration of expertise, access to specialist nurses and supportive care, and the fact that research is carried out by the same clinicians who treat their patients, eliminating the gap between the laboratory and the clinic altogether.

The Australian Government is concerned about global malicious cyber intrusions, as detailed in the indictments by the United States Department of Justice.

The indictments note the US Department of Justice is bringing criminal charges against four individuals working on behalf of the Russian government for their respective roles in separate cyber campaigns that targeted the global energy sector between 2012 and 2018.

In total, the hacking campaigns outlined in the indictment targeted thousands of computers, at hundreds of companies and organizations, in approximately 135 countries, including Australia.

One indictment concerns the alleged efforts of an employee of a Russian Ministry of Defense research institute and his co-conspirators to damage critical infrastructure outside the United States.

The second indictment concerns the actions of three officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and their co-conspirators to target and compromise the computers of hundreds of entities related to the energy sector worldwide.

The Australian Government also welcomes the United Kingdom’s sanctions against a Russian entity for carrying out malicious cyber activity on a Saudi petro-chemical plant, which is one of the entities related to the US indictment.

These indictments highlight once again Russia’s pattern of destructive, disruptive, or otherwise destabilising behaviour in cyberspace.

The Australian Government calls for all countries to refrain from behaviour which is contrary to the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. We welcome actions designed to hold malicious cyber actors to account.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre is working closely with organisations across Australia to help build their resilience to cyber compromises and is engaging with victims of malicious cyber incidents to offer cyber security advice and assistance.

We encourage all Australian citizens and organisations to remain vigilant about cyber security threats. The Australian Cyber Security Centre’s cyber security advice is available at cyber.gov.au.

The Morrison Government is investing an additional $52.3 million in funding for Lifeline Australia over four years from July 2022, in recognition of the critical support the service provides to Australians.

Combined with an extension of the annual funding of $15.5 million announced in the 2018-19 Budget, this takes the Morrison Government’s support for Lifeline’s core crisis service to $114.2 million over the next four years.

The new funding will help Lifeline to meet the growing level of demand for their support services, maintain and improve infrastructure and responsiveness, as well as investing in innovation in crisis response, surge capacity and models of care.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the additional $52.3 million in funding for Lifeline Australia would ensure millions more Australians would receive the help that they need, when they need it.

“We are boosting our support once again to ensure that Lifeline can continue to be one of Australia’s most trusted, greatest supporters both now and in the future,” the Prime Minister said.

“This funding means that next year Lifeline will be able to take an extra 176,000 calls or texts from Australians, or an extra 3,900 every day. By 2026, this will grow to an extra one million calls or texts from Australians every year.

“The critical role that Lifeline plays has never been more evident than in these recent years. When COVID had many Australians feeling like they were alone, Lifeline was there. When bushfires or floods left many feeling helpless, Lifeline was there. Or, when any given day had many feeling like life was tough, Lifeline was there.

“Lifeline is lifesaving, and that’s why our investment is so important.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said Lifeline had and continues to support Australians as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Lifeline is Australia’s largest provider of suicide prevention services, which has been supporting Australians experiencing emotional distress for almost 60 years,” Minister Hunt said.

“Any member of the community can pick up the phone, send a text or go online and receive assistance from Lifeline. Their support has helped to save lives and to protect lives.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has seen more Australians reach out for help and our Government has provided more than $18 million in supplementary and emergency funding to the charity since 2019, to ensure they support as many Australians as possible.

“This has ensured more Australians get the crucial help they need.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman said the increased funding would help Lifeline continue to support more and more Australians in crisis.

“Right now, Lifeline is helping more Australians than ever, with daily calls to Lifeline averaging over 3,100 per day since the beginning of the year,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis support service is available 24/7. Australians can speak to a trained crisis supporter any time of the day or night.

“We offer our gratitude to Lifeline’s hardworking volunteers and staff, who have provided so much to the Australian community.”

The Morrison Government continues to invest in improving mental health outcomes for all Australians, investing a historic $2.3 billion in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan through the 2021-22 Budget to deliver significant reform of the mental health system and ensure that all Australians have access to high quality, person-centred care as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, health portfolio expenditure in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021-22 is at a record high of $6.5 billion.

Hemp has to be one of the most misunderstood plants on this planet. Despite it having multiple uses over thousands of years – including food, construction, fuels and fibre – the rise of drug culture and prohibition on cannabis has seen industry growth stymied. This is despite the cannabis plant used to grow it typically containing less than one percent THC.

The global hemp market is forecast to grow from $3.5 billion to $26.6 billion by 2025, presenting significant opportunities for Australian farmers and job creation. However Australia remains an international laggard in this field.

Tasmania already produces around 80% of the nation’s hemp crop, making a boost for hemp a boost for Tasmanian jobs. The Greens will supercharge the growth of the hemp industry by investing $20 million to support partners and research. 

Greens spokesperson for agriculture, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“Hemp has been widely vilified, shunned and prohibited despite the cannabis plant used to grow it typically containing less than one percent THC.

“While science has helped reclaim hemp’s true versatility in many parts of the world, Australia has been slow to accept the facts and grasp its potential. 

“It wasn’t until 2017 that Australia legalised hemp for food, overturning a prohibition that had existed since 1937. However unfortunately the industry has yet to benefit from the research and development funding enjoyed by other agricultural industries.

“The Commonwealth funds at least $12.65 million each year directly to the established cotton industry. Whereas the fledgling hemp industry has received $500,000 per annum over the last five years. 

“More government work is needed to enhance innovation and grow the hemp industry and there’s no better place for this work to be focused than in lutruwita/Tasmania.

“Tassie already produces around 80% of the nation’s hemp crop making a boost for hemp a boost for Tasmanian jobs.

“In the balance of power after the next election the Greens will push to supercharge the growth of the hemp industry by investing $20 million into supporting hemp industry partners and research. We are also remain ready to work with all levels of Government to remove existing regulatory barriers to hemp production.”