Month: March 2022

The Morrison Government is continuing its support for young people with severe and complex mental illness with an investment of $206.5 million ensuring that they have access to additional treatment services and support.

The funding will continue and expand the Early Psychosis Youth Services (EPYS) and builds on the $160.8 million already invested in Youth Enhanced Services (YES), which support young people experiencing severe and complex mental illness.

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said Mental health and suicide prevention is one of the highest priorities of this Government.

“It is estimated that in any given year, one in four Australians aged 16–24 years will experience mental illness. Yet we know, thanks to the National Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, that more than one in four young people (27.5 per cent) with moderate to severe mental health problems have not accessed any mental health services,” Mr Morrison said.

“It is critically important that we take active steps to help our young people maintain good mental health and provide for timely and appropriate care when they experience mental illness.”

The Morrison Government funds Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to commission EPYS and YES services.

The YES program enables PHNs to commission local services for young people experiencing severe and complex mental illness, while the EPYS supports vulnerable young Australians experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, psychosis.

Psychosis is a condition where individuals may experience a range of symptoms including false beliefs, hallucinations, confused thinking and changed behaviour. It can be triggered by a mental illness (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression), drug use or extreme stress. Two-thirds of people who have psychosis experienced their first episode before the age of 25.

The new funding for the EPYS program is expected to benefit more than 4,000 young people aged 12–25 years who are at ultra-high risk of, or currently experiencing, their first episode of psychosis.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said funding would support the establishment of two new hub sites in the ACT and Tasmania, meaning that the EPYS program will be present in every Australian state and territory.

“We are working closely with Orygen, to support the establishment of two new hub sites, ensuring young people in every Australian jurisdiction will be able to access the services they need, at a time when support is critical,” Minister Hunt said.

“Orygen will continue to receive Morrison Government funding to support PHNs with the commissioning and delivery of high quality, evidence-based services to young people through the EPYS and YES programs.

“There is also funding to continue the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, which is operated by Orygen, and provides important insights, national guidance and policy advice on youth mental health.”

The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health also creates opportunities for innovation in evidence-based services and intervention in youth mental health, such as the development and enhancement of the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) model, a specialised model of early intervention that is used by the EPYS program.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said there is also continued funding support for headspace National, one of Australia’s leading mental health organisations.

“headspace National supports an important part of the EPYS program, monitoring outcomes and the effectiveness of the program and collecting significant amounts of data,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“We are providing a portion of this new investment to headspace National to ensure that this work continues, and that the data collected is the highest quality.

“This entire package of funding for the EPYS program delivers certainty to the youth mental health sector and the longer, 3-year funding cycle ensures continuity of care for the young people already engaging with the system.

“It will also ensure that each organisation involved in the delivery of EPYS can seek out and employ an engaged, highly-skilled and committed workforce, to deliver the highest quality of care.”

The new investment responds to recommendations of the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Mental Health Report and findings of the EPYS program independent evaluation and grows the $110 million investment for the EPYS program provided in the 2019–20 Budget.

The Morrison Government has invested 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.

Australians needing 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 also 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 659 467 or 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.

THIRTY-ONE mayors and councillors from some of the nation’s most flood damaged regions have called on the government to do more to protect communities from tragic and costly extreme weather.

Mayors and councillors from Lismore in New South Wales to Logan in Queensland, released a joint statement responding to one of the worst extreme weather disasters in the nation’s history, calling for urgent action to protect their communities from worsening climate change.

The statement is calling on the federal government to:

Lead the country in delivering on an ambitious emissions reduction target this decade, in partnership with state and local governments, to respond to accelerating climate change at the scale and pace required.
Increase funding sources to councils for responding to climate impacts, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, including providing a minimum of $200 million a year in the form of a disaster mitigation fund and an additional $200 million over four years for a local government climate response partnership.
Invest in preparing before climate disasters strike and take responsibility for coordination of climate impact responses to ensure consistency and clearly delineated responsibilities between different levels of government.
Ensure all disaster response funding extends to all damaged assets and incorporates the principle of “betterment” to allow cities and communities to be rebuilt in a way that takes into account the inevitable future changes in climate and makes them more resilient.
Establish a national body, or expand the remit of an existing one, to support research on adaptation and act as a centralised hub for up-to-date climate change information.

Elly Bird, Councillor, Lismore City Council said, “If we’re to learn a lesson from the catastrophic flooding that we are now seeing happen in Australia every few years, it’s that we are severely underprepared for catastrophic events like this one. We urgently need to address the root cause of the heightened storm threat – climate change.

“Local governments, like Lismore City Council, have been trying to work together with our communities to take action against climate change and build resilience. But we need more support and we need it urgently.

“That’s why I’ve joined 31 other mayors and Councillors from Logan City Council in Queensland through to Eurobodalla Shire Council in New South Wales to call on our Federal leaders to immediately step up and reduce the climate impacts that put our communities in the firing line.

“Now is the time for our Government to lead the country in delivering on an ambitious emissions reduction target this decade to protect communities like ours from the future climate shocks that we know are coming and that we are living every single day.”

Dr Portia Odell, director of the Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest network of local governments taking action on climate change said, “Local governments were on the frontlines of climate impacts and needed more support.

“We can no longer leave councils and their communities alone and with little access to essential services, and expect them to spend millions to fix the damages of delayed climate action,” said Dr Odell.

“We know that local governments lack the adequate funding and support they need to rebuild their communities in a way that strengthens resilience and takes into account the increasing climate risks. Councils are already working hard to slash emissions locally and prepare their communities for the mounting climate impacts, yet support from the federal government is sparse.

“The Federal Government must step up to protect communities from catastrophic climate shocks.”

Full list of signatories:

New South Wales
Cr Darriea Turley AM, President, Local Government NSW

Dominic King, Councillor, Bellingen Shire Council

Michael Lyon, Mayor, Byron Shire Council

Mark Greenhill OAM, Mayor, Blue Mountains City Council

Alison Worthington, Councillor, Eurobodalla Shire Council

Amanda Kotlash, Councillor, Hawkesbury City Council

Neil Reilly, Mayor Kiama, Municipal Council

Elly Bird, Councillor Lismore, City Council

Claire Pontin, Mayor, Midcoast Council

Nuatali Nelmes, Lord Mayor, City of Newcastle

Chris Homer, Mayor, Shellharbour City Council

Amanda Findley, Mayor, Shoalhaven City Council

Clover Moore, Lord Mayor, City of Sydney

Jerome Laxale, Councillor, City of Ryde

Penelope Pederson, Councillor, City of Ryde

Chris Cherry, Mayor, Tweed Shire Council

Gordon Bradbery AM, Lord Mayor Wollongong City Council

Queensland

Adrian Schrinner, Lord Mayor, Brisbane City Council

Darren Power, Mayor, Logan City Council

Brian Stockwell, Councillor, Noosa Shire Council

Tasmania

Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor, City of Hobart

Victoria

Sally Capp, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne

Mark Riley, Mayor, Moreland City Council

Lina Messina, Mayor, City of Darebin

Peter Maynard, Mayor, Wyndham City Council

Sophie Wade, Mayor, Yarra City Council

Amanda Stone, Councillor, Yarra City Council

South Australia

Sandy Verschoor, Lord Mayor, City of Adelaide

Karen Redman, Mayor, Town of Gawler

Ann Ferguson, Mayor, Mount Barker District Council

Michael Coxon, Mayor, City of West Torrens

Michael Hewitson AM, Mayor City of Unley

Local Government networks

Better Futures Australia

Cities Power Partnership

Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

ICLEI Oceania – Local Governments for Sustainability

The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra, her crew and embarked forces have arrived in Townsville today following their deployment on Operation Tonga Assist 22.

HMAS Canberra arrived in the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa on 1 March 2022 to contribute to the Australian Government’s disaster relief and recovery mission following the devastating undersea volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.

During its mission, HMAS Canberra delivered humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) stores and relieved HMAS Adelaide, which arrived in Tonga on 26 January 2022.

Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, AO, CSC said the ADF’s contribution was part of Australia’s wider relief effort that included regional partners.

“The crew of HMAS Canberra, embarked forces and helicopters, have been steadfast in their commitment to Tonga, carrying on from the good work of HMAS Adelaide and Supply,” LTGEN Bilton said.

“The ADF personnel worked alongside our Pacific family, with Republic of Fiji Military Forces and French Armed Forces in New Caledonia personnel embarking on HMAS Canberra in support of recovery operations.

“HMAS Canberra also operated with Tonga’s Australian-gifted Guardian-class Patrol Boats VOEA Ngahau Koula and Ngahau Siliva, conducting reconnaissance operations and support for the delivery of supplies.

“Years of close cooperation between Australia and Tonga in maritime security and disaster preparedness have made this seamless coordination possible.”

HMAS Canberra also supported Tonga’s COVID-19 response, delivering vaccines and medical teams to ‘Eua and Southern Ha’apai islands. They also transported people from Tongatapu to communities in the outer islands across the Ha’apai and Vava’u island groups.

Operation Tonga Assist 22 delivered more than 417 tonnes of equipment, supplies, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief stores to Tonga.

Defence assistance also included damage assessment and clean-up operations. This was supported by Australian Army personnel from the 7th and 17th Brigades, three CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the 16th Aviation Brigade and a Royal Australian Navy MRH-90 helicopter from 808 Squadron.

Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster and C-130J Hercules aircraft delivered supplies across 19 sustainment flights and conducted eight aerial surveillance flights to determine the extent of the damage. This surveillance will inform future HADR operations.

HMAS Canberra will return to her homeport of Fleet Base East next week.

Although HMAS Canberra has finished her deployment, Australia remains committed to supporting long-term recovery and reconstruction in Tonga.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been patrolling waters in Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to help Australia’s partners detect and deter illegal fishing activity.

The efforts are a part of Operation Solania, the ADF support to regional maritime security, including Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) operations.

This iteration of Operation Solania saw the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) contribute to the FFA’s first operation of 2022 – Operation Rai Balang. This operation was a major maritime surveillance patrol in collaboration with partners across Micronesia and Melanesia.

ADF personnel followed all local COVID-19 measures to ensure the safety of colleagues and the communities in FSM and Palau.

RAN vessel HMAS Melville conducted a contactless port visit in Pohnpei before patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone of FSM with no personnel stepping ashore.

The ADF’s Joint Task Force 637 coordinates ADF engagement with partners across the Pacific. Joint Task Force 637 Commander, Major General Scott Winter, said the ADF’s support was a major part of its longstanding commitment to maritime security in the Pacific.

“Illegal fishing activity and transnational crime are enormous threats to the region’s fishing industry, which is vital for the economies of our Pacific family.” Major General Winter said.

“By tackling these shared maritime security challenges together with the FFA, our Pacific partners, and members of the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Australia, the United States, New Zealand, and France), we are working together to protect ecosystems and livelihoods across the Pacific.”

The C27-J Spartan crew flew nine missions for the FFA from Palau, detecting and reporting over 110 suspicious vessels and helping locate one vessel of interest.

HMAS Melville patrolled around 195,000 square kilometres of the FSM’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and reported seven suspicious vessels to the FFA, significantly contributing to the total amount of all surface unit contact reports.

HMAS Melville’s Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Savage, said the vessel’s deployment to the FSM demonstrated Australia’s commitment to maintaining regional security alongside its regional partners.

“Australia and the FSM have a longstanding partnership in maritime security, and Melville’s crew was proud to patrol parts of the nation’s three million square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone,” Commander Savage said.

Melville provided important maritime surveillance support to FSM while it awaits the arrival of the first of its two Guardian-class Patrol Boats to be handed over under the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). FSS Tosiwo Nakayama, named after FSM’s first President, was handed over in Perth on 11 March.

The PMSP is Australia’s $2 billion, 30-year commitment to regional maritime security. Under the Program, Australia is progressively rolling out Guardian-class Patrol Boats across the region, replacing Pacific Patrol Boats that were provided between 1987 and 1997.

An Australian Fisheries Management Authority officer also joined Melville’s crew, providing extensive knowledge of Pacific fisheries and regional legal frameworks. This enabled the quick identification of illegal fishing activity and provided actionable evidence to the FFA and regional partners.

The CFMEU is investigating how a builder with a shoddy safety record and poor social procurement practices has won a tender for a multi-million-dollar State Government social housing project.

Disgraced builder, Ironside, has a deplorable record of unsafe work practices and has shown no interest in working with the CFMEU to improve its OH&S and labour standards.

Secretary of the CFMEU Vic-Tas Branch, John Setka, said: “Victorians expect the Government to spend their hard-earned tax dollars on builders who provide good quality, safe jobs, where workers are treated with dignity and respect.

“This mob are anti-union and anti-worker. They’ve refused to come to the table and talk to us about making work safe, and they refuse to budge on paying workers decent, liveable wages.

“It’s disappointing that the government is spending millions in taxpayer dollars to prop up shoddy builders like Ironside instead of reputable companies who are on the bones of their arse and on the brink of collapse.

“We’re looking into how Ironside managed to dodge the State Government’s Fair Jobs Code, which was designed to provide the checks and balances needed to stop dodgy builders from getting their hands on important community projects like this one.

“It’s a bit bloody ironic that the State Government would even consider giving work to a mob that has absolutely no ethics, to build social housing.”

The CFMEU strongly condemns the State Government’s decision to award this building contract to Ironside.

The CFMEU is calling on the State Government to retract any deals struck with Ironside to protect the safety and welfare of Victorian workers and our community.

The Greens have responded with alarm to reports that Labor will dump its policy to add superannuation contributions to parental leave payments, abandoning young families and women at a time of mounting cost of living pressures and rising rates of poverty and homelessness among older women.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“If reports are true that Labor will not add superannuation on parental leave, they would be joining the Liberals in giving a middle finger to Australian families, and especially women.

“Dumping its longstanding commitment to pay superannuation on paid parental leave wouldn’t just be small-target politics, it would be bad politics that would betray and disadvantage women.

“Women bear the brunt of our unjust PPL system, punished for their unpaid family work with tiny super balances. It’s shameful that in one of the richest countries in the world, the reward for women for taking time out of the workforce to raise children is often poverty in retirement.

“The government’s retirement income review recommended paying super on parental leave as an important equity measure. Australian parents will be rightly disgusted if both big parties ignore that recommendation.

“Reports assert that Labor say this won’t be a vote changing issue – but if both big parties short-change women, women will change their vote.

“Earlier this month I announced the Greens’ fully costed plan to boost paid parental leave, including adding super contributions, and in balance of power after the election we’ll push the next government to do the right thing and make it happen.”