Month: April 2022

Fresh from a record vote in the State election, the Greens have kicked off their federal election campaign in SA announcing a $6.1b plan to boost the uptake of electric vehicles and reestablish auto manufacturing in Australia, saying that in balance of power the party will push for a South Australian-focused package to support an electric car industry in the State.

The Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, is in Adelaide today to launch the campaign for South Australia lead Senate Candidate, Barbara Pocock. 

Pocock, an economist and leading South Australian public intellectual, will join Adam Bandt and SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young to launch a comprehensive package to build and boost uptake of electric vehicles in Australia, with infrastructure and incentives to support the transition.

The Greens plan will invest $6.1b over the next 3 years to:

• Provide $1.2b to manufacturers of electric vehicles and electric vehicle components in Australia, building the Australian EV manufacturing industry
• Help you buy your first EV, reducing the cost of an electric vehicle by up to $15,000 and provide ultra-cheap finance for the balance
• Legislate tough vehicle pollution standards to drive down emissions, and ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030
• Build a $2 billion publicly owned EV fast charging network, ensuring that you’ll always have a place to fuel up
• Electrify the Commonwealth fleet by 2025, leading the way and driving the second-hand vehicle market

If Barbara Pocock is elected to the Senate for SA, the Greens are on track to be the biggest third party in the Senate ever, likely holding balance of power in our own right. Additionally, with a tight election in the House of Representatives likely, the Greens may be in balance of power in both Houses of Parliament.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“The Greens have represented South Australia with one of the most powerful voices the Senate has ever seen in Sarah Hanson-Young. Today, the Greens offer South Australians the chance to put another exceptional, progressive woman into the Senate to fight for their state, Professor Barbara Pocock.

“In a few years’ time, the whole country could be driving SA-made electric cars.

“We’ll cut pollution, create jobs and be energy independent if we restart SA’s car industry and make it electric. The Liberals flattened SA’s car industry but the Greens want to recharge it.

“As well as making electric cars here, we’ll make them cheaper to buy and easier to recharge.

“The war in Ukraine shows us just how exposed we are if we rely on another country’s oil to get around.

“Road transport makes up 15% of Australia’s emissions, so any party with a net zero emissions target needs a plan to get our cars running on the sun and the wind.”  

Greens lead Senate candidate for South Australia, Barbara Pocock said: 

“As a South Australian, I’ve felt so lucky to have such a powerful Greens representative in Sarah Hanson-Young over many years. This election, South Australians can double their Greens representation.

“To be here today with Adam Bandt and Sarah Hanson-Young to launch a major Greens policy that has so much potential for South Australia gives voters a clear choice this election.

“I’m standing for the Greens because the Greens put their chips on the table – we put forward fully-costed policies and clear positions, instead of loose slogans that ask voters for blind trust.  

“Making electric vehicles here will mean thousands of jobs for South Australians. It will also have flow on benefits supporting research, development and manufacturing across the country. 
“The Greens will put $1.2 billion on the table for the manufacturing of electric vehicles and their components here in Australia.
Quotes attributable to Greens South Australian Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young:
“Barbara Pocock stands out from the pack in this South Australian Senate race. She has made an exceptional contribution to our understanding of employment, especially as it affects women in the workforce.“

The release of the April edition of CoreLogic’s Quarterly Rental Review report is yet another indication that government must take urgent action to tackle rental affordability. 

The report shows Hobart’s rents have increased by another 8.7% in the last 12 months. Disturbingly it also shows the cost to rent a house in the state capital has grown by 55.9% in the last 10 years, with the median rental rate now at $547 a week. 

Greens Senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“The average cost of renting a home in Hobart is now $10,000 a year higher than it was just a decade ago. And we know rents are going up right around the state too. It’s no wonder so many Tasmanians are struggling to find an affordable home.

“These skyrocketing rental prices are forcing people into real hardship. Something is seriously wrong with our housing market when paying your rent means you can’t afford to heat your home, pay your bills, access healthcare, or even feed your family. 

“This housing crisis is a direct result of years of government failure. It’s no surprise this massive rise in rental costs has coincided with having Liberal governments at both a federal and state level.

“The increase in rent prices has shown no sign of slowing down by itself, so it’s now time for government to step in. Putting the Greens in balance of power this election is our best chance of making that happen. We’ll fight for real protections for renters, and real action on housing affordability. 

“Housing is a human right, and we need our government to start acting like it.

“The Greens have a plan to protect renters’ rights by boosting and guaranteeing funding for tenants’ advocacy services by $30 million per year to improve access to independent information, advice and advocacy.

“We will also establish a National Standard of Renters’ Rights and build 125,000 new public universal-access rental homes to provide affordable housing for more people who want to live in communities close to where they work. 

“These measures will support renters alongside Greens commitments to increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance and wind back negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount.” 

Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations, has reiterated the call for the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) to be implemented across this Country.

DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations said:

“This so-called officer of the so-called Law needs to be sacked immediately. Their behaviour is absolute filth. We’re talking about a boy who was experiencing a mental health crisis who was then choked, sedated and inappropriately touched. Is this how we treat children in this Country? He was only 15! Where is the outrage?!”

“This is abhorrent behaviour from those who are supposed to serve and protect. The Greens demand independent oversight of police and prisons to stop our babies being abused. This is a matter of life and death. We can’t rely on Corrective Services to correct themselves. First Nations people are being traumatised by police who ignore our human rights.” 

“This Country signed on to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) which requires a culturally safe, properly resourced, effective and independent oversight mechanism of places of detention.” 

“Police violence is a national crisis. It’s critical that the Commonwealth Government shows leadership and provides the necessary resources to implement OPCAT. This is far too
important to be patchy and inconsistent across state lines. We need federal leadership to ensure the dignity of everyone in this country is respected.”

“Everyone, no matter where they are, has the right to be treated fairly and free from torture.” 

Lake Cargelligo Family Practice is now a more appealing location to work for young doctors after the town became a targeted recruitment location under a Morrison-Joyce Government pilot scheme that provides wage support and supports doctors to gain their GP qualification while living in a rural or remote area.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the addition of Lake Cargelligo to the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) Extended Targeted Recruitment Pilot location list meant doctors interested in rural and remote general practice would receive income support while working at the local clinic and training towards their formal GP qualification.

Mr Coulton said the pilot scheme will provide a total of $465,000 in income support over the course of each doctor’s training to make Lake Cargelligo a more appealing place for young doctors to begin their career.

“The aim of this wage funding and support scheme is to encourage more young doctors to take up rural and remote GP work, and ensure they have adequate support, distance mentoring and education to get their medical college fellowship,” Mr Coulton said.

“This is a win-win for patients in Lake Cargelligo and for the Lake Cargelligo Family Practice.”

Regional Health Minister and former regional GP, Dr David Gillespie said it was important that junior doctors were adequately supported to work rurally and without this scheme, even more young doctors would be holed up in cities undertaking this significant part of their training.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the RVTS is going from strength to strength in providing better access to doctors in the bush.

“To date, it has provided training to more than 400 doctors to over 300 rural and remote communities. Overall, 90 per cent of participants who have completed the program have attained GP fellowship qualifications,” Minister Hunt said.

“The RVTS has also supported doctors working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with more than 50 doctors enrolled in Aboriginal medical services since 2014. These doctors are providing primary care services in more than 40 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across the country.

“The past success of the program is why the Morrison-Joyce Government is investing an additional $20.9 million to extend a GP training program that is providing more doctors to rural and remote areas in Australia.

“This additional funding will enable the scheme to be extended for a further three years, enabling doctors to gain their specialist qualification in general practice – while living and working in a rural or remote area.”

The additional funding builds on $5 million previously provided by the Morrison-Joyce Government for a RVTS extended targeted recruitment pilot, which is providing income support for 10 doctors starting their training in 2021 and 2022.

Dr Gillespie said the scheme focuses on remote GP training in small and isolated communities to help improve the recruitment pipeline for a high quality traditional primary care workforce.

He said the RVTS is a key initiative in bridging the city-country divide in providing health services, by addressing GP workforce shortages in areas of need of more GPs.

“There can be issues in rural areas in having sufficient patient throughput under a fee-for-service model – typical of general practice – to generate enough income to operate a viable practice while undertaking GP training,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Data shows a decline in the attractiveness of rural GP work for new medical graduates. The extended pilot supports the Morrison-Joyce Government’s coordinated efforts to explore innovative employment models to attract more GP trainees to rural and remote areas.”

The pilot builds on the policy commitments of the Stronger Rural Health Strategy and will inform longer term reform options including development of the Government’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan.

An Albanese Labor government will make Australia’s Newborn Screening Programs world class, saving lives, delivering better care and making the system fairer.
 
Newborn screening is crucial to identify and treat rare diseases allowing conditions to be diagnosed – with something as simple as a heel prick at birth, our kids can get the care they need from the earliest stages of life. 
 
Australia’s screening program hasn’t been updated since the 1980s and, in most States and Territories, only tests for 25 conditions compared to world’s best practice of screening for 80 conditions. 
 
This can lead to delays in diagnosis of life-long health conditions and avoidable deaths. 
 
Parents can be confident that no matter which hospital their child is born in their baby will be fully screened for rare conditions.
 
Different States and Territories also screen for different conditions, leading to inequality in health care across Australia. 
 
Labor will put an end to this testing lottery by introducing a universal screening program.
 
Labor will invest $38.4 million to deliver a world’s best practice screening program for all of Australia, increasing the number of conditions screened to 80. 
 
Our approach is in line with world’s best practice.
 
An Albanese Labor Government will work with the States and Territories to deliver a better national newborn screening program, including a regular process to update screened conditions on expert advice.
 
Only Labor can be trusted to strengthen Medicare and improve health care for Australians.

Many Australians still struggle to get where they need to go, and a new multi-state study highlights the opportunities to get transport access right for our communities. Can technology help?

Access to transport is a basic human need that fundamentally impacts everyone’s wellbeing. Community transport is a critical element of our wider transport network that ensures suitable transport options exist for everybody, especially those with specific or more complex needs.

A new study reveals how emerging technologies can improve community transport by increasing access for clients, allowing better allocation of resources by providers, and increasing client choice with improved customer experience.

The study offers a foundational understanding of community transport operations across Australia, their critical role, and the challenges they and their customers face. It has clarified hesitations around technology, highlighting the advantages and the importance of reciprocal partnerships for technology adoptions.

The study was led by ITS Australia, the peak body in Australia for advanced transport technology, with the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Public Policy and Governance leading the research effort. It includes input from departments of transport TfNSW, DOT VIC, DOT WA and TMR, and is supported by iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, the national centre for transport and mobility R&D.

The findings provide the clearest picture yet of the Australian community transport landscape and where there are opportunities to deliver services that meet everyone’s needs at both a system and service level.

This new research highlights how needs are still not being met in many places. It explores the options for improving the situation by having the right discussions and action, including integration and innovation in the community transport sector.

Investment in community transport reduces transport disadvantage, defined as ‘the inability to travel when and where one needs to without difficulty’. This seemingly simple objective is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve, especially for older people, those with a disability and people in rural and regional areas. Our ageing population (estimated to double by 2057) is just one reason why the number of people at risk of transport disadvantage will grow significantly over time.

The wider transport sector is currently undergoing a sustained period of change arising from technology, digitalisation, automation and access to data. New capability is creating ways of planning and delivering services that have the potential to meet everyone’s needs, including our most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. There needs to be consensus and action to ensure that we minimise transport disadvantage and maximise opportunities for our communities.

Lee-Ann Breger, Programs Director, iMOVE said: “The ability to get around is key to any individual’s wellbeing as it enables them to access health services, to work and participate in leisure activities. In Australia, we have an increasingly ageing population, where 5% of the population has a severe disability of some kind, many of whom need support to get from A to B. We need to make sure that our CT networks deliver this.”

Susan Harris, Chief Executive Officer, ITS Australia said:

“This work offers excellent insights into how technology can support community transport and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As we advance this pathway, technology providers must be sensitive to the nuances of community transport, and partnerships are vital to getting this right. ITS Australia will continue working in this space to realise some of the benefits through a collaborative approach.”

Peter Lee, Senior Manager, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney said:

“In taking a strategic look at community transport and its context, our research really shines a light on a poorly understood area of transport to evidence the complexities experienced by service providers and their customers. In drawing attention to existing and emerging challenges and opportunities for community transport, we hope the research can act as a catalyst for action in policy, engagement, innovation and partnerships.”

The full report can be downloaded here: https://imoveaustralia.com/project/project-outcomes/community-transport-of-the-future

Upcoming webinar on this research on the 6th April, 2022: https://imoveaustralia.com/news-articles/intelligent-transport-systems/upcoming-webinar-community-transport-future/

Key points from the research

· Community Transport is more about the ‘Community’ than just transport – it provides the glue connecting users to vital services and social networks

· Community Transport (CT) users are a growing and complex stakeholder group with challenging needs and expectations – by 2057 it’s projected that Australians over 65 will make up 22% of the population.

· In 2020, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians published a report which found that 92% of seniors rated personal mobility as critical to health, social well-being and independence

· This is a complex and challenging ecosystem and technology has the potential to improve CT by increasing access for clients, better allocation of resources by providers, and increased client choice with improved customer experience.

· CT providers see many opportunities to work with transport technology providers, to partner on solutions that work for their customers and to utilise technology platforms that have the potential to scale to a wider user base.

· Opportunities exist for reciprocal partnering (with the risks shared by technology platform/provider and CT operators) to build adaptive fit-for-purpose products that work for CT clients and operators.

· CT’s complex funding structures play a significant role in how services are delivered.