16 News

Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will move for YouTube’s seven-day ban on Sky News to be investigated by the Committee.
Senator Hanson-Young said she will be requesting that representatives from Sky News, YouTube/Google and ACMA be called to give evidence on the ban and why the broadcasting regulator has failed to take any action.
“The obvious question is if the spread of misinformation isn’t allowed on the internet why is it on television broadcasts?
“There are questions for both the government regulator and the companies involved, and the Media Inquiry should investigate.
“Many people are asking why it takes a tech company to hold Murdoch’s News Corp’s dissemination of Covid misinformation and conspiracy-theories to account. Where is the public media regulator in all this?
“Google-owned YouTube has taken action to uphold its policies around medical misinformation on its platform and that is welcome. Governments around the world have been putting pressure on the social media giants to act responsibly in relation to COVID misinformation.
“But we aren’t talking about just any YouTube account, Sky News is a commercial broadcaster and so the very obvious question is how can they get away with it on television? Sky News broadcasts on both a subscription service and also free-to-air in many regional areas – this puts the news channel clearly in ACMA’s remit.
“ACMA appears to be sitting on its hands while a tech giant upholds standards the government regulator doesn’t seem to have.”

“Mobilising the police and Australian Defence Force to treat a public health crisis is absurd,” said The Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations Senator Lidia Thorpe, as the ADF begins their deployment to Western Sydney.
“Officers of the law are not experts in public health messaging, culturally accessible information and welfare support services that enable people to stay at home safely,” said Thorpe. Western Sydney has a significant First Nations and multicultural community.
“Scott Morrison’s botched vaccine rollout is what’s making people sick, not their lack of compliance. You don’t see our military patrolling Bondi or the Northern Beaches,” said Thorpe.
“People are dying in their homes because they’re reluctant to go to the hospital. The militarized response does not foster health and wellbeing in our communities. Ten Indigenous people have died in police custody since March,” said Thorpe.
The Greens Senator for NSW and spokesperson for Anti-racism Mehreen Faruqi said, “Putting the military into any community, let alone some of the most over-policed communities in the country, is a terrible idea.
“The Liberals are pushing fear and threats where they need to offer real support for people to stay home and get through this very difficult time.
“The militarisation of public health makes zero sense. Communities in Western Sydney are already going through these difficult lockdowns. Inflicting further anxiety and stress on them is just plain wrong.”

The Australian Government has today announced significant quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be made available for GPs, community pharmacies and other healthcare providers across south east Queensland who need to see their patients within their practices.
This decision follows the lockdown of the City of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Region, Redland City, Logan City, City of Ipswich, Shire of Noosa, City of Gold Coast, Lockyer Valley Region, Scenic Rim Region, Somerset Region and Sunshine Coast Region Local Government Areas.
Health professionals in these areas are able to request a package of PPE from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) through their local Primary Health Network (PHN) from an initial allocation of up to:

• 725,000 surgical masks;
• 725,000 N95 masks;
• 175,000 pairs of gloves;
• 175,000 gowns; and
• 175,000 goggles.

These items will be made available through the five PHNs relevant to the Commonwealth hotspot, namely:

• Brisbane North;
• Brisbane South;
• Darling Downs and West Moreton;
• Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast; and
• Gold Coast.

These packages will assist to further supress the COVID-19 infection rate occurring across Queensland and builds on the recent commitment to support New South Wales and Victoria as announced on 12 July 2021 and 19 July 2021 respectively.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to the critical PPE supplies they require to continue to safely see their patients during this COVID-19 outbreak.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Australian Government has deployed more than 92 million masks, 6 million gowns, 14 million gloves and 5 million goggles and face shields from the National Medical Stockpile.

From Monday 9 August, children aged between 12 to 15 years old with either specific medical conditions, who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or live in a remote community will be able to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
This follows a review of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged 12-15 by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which has recommended its use for children at a higher risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19.
The Australian Government has accepted ATAGI’s updated recommendations, which include the following groups of children aged 12 to 15 be prioritised for the Pfizer vaccine:

• children with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, including severe asthma, diabetes, obesity, cardiac and circulatory congenital anomalies, neuro developmental disorders, epilepsy, immuno-compromised and trisomy 21
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• all children aged 12–15 years in remote communities, as part of broader community outreach vaccination programs that provide vaccines for all ages (≥12 years).

This means that around 220,000 children aged between 12 to 15 years old will become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Minister Hunt, said the Government expected further recommendations regarding the use Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the remainder of children aged 12 to 15 in the coming months.
“I would encourage all parents who have a child with a medical condition or are immuno-compromised to bring them forward for vaccination. We want to ensure all Australians are protected from COVID-19, including the most vulnerable in our community,” Minister Hunt said.
“To date, we’ve administered more than 12.3 million vaccines across Australia and I want to thank everyone who has come forward so far to receive their first and second doses, you’re doing an incredible job.”
ATAGI has reviewed available data on the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12 to 15, the risk of COVID-19 in this age group, and evidence of wider benefits and risks of vaccinating children.
This review follows the decision of the Therapeutics Goods Administration, who have extended its provisional registration of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from people aged 16 years and over to include children aged 12 to 15.
The National Cabinet has agreed in-principle to an updated four-step National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response (National Plan) taking into account the Doherty Institute COVID-19 modelling and the Commonwealth Department of Treasury economic analysis. This national plan is based on vaccination rates for people 16 years and above in line with the expert medical advice of the Doherty Institute.
Parents should check the COVID-19 eligibility checker from 9 August to book in their child’s vaccination. Children in remote indigenous communities will be able to receive the vaccine prior to the 9 of August in areas where in reach vaccination is occurring this week.
The Australian Government has secured more than 280 million COVID-19 vaccines, including 125 million Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

New South Wales:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in NSW.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Find out if you’re eligible and book your COVID test.
Walk-in clinics for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
NSW pharmacies participating in the vaccine rollout.
Locations for testing clinics in NSW.
Download the NSW services app to check-in across the state.
Information and resources about COVID-19 in your language.

Queensland:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in Queensland.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Places you can get a COVID-19 test.
Go here to find out if you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and register.
If you’re eligible here’s where you can book your vaccination.
Vaccination clinic locations.
Download the QLD COVID-19 check-in app.
Information and resources about COVID-19 in your language.

Australian Capital Territory:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in the ACT.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Places you can go to get a COVID-19 test.
Information about vaccine eligibility, registration and booking.
Download the ACT COVID-19 check-in app.
Information and resources about COVID-19 in your language.

Victoria:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in Victoria.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Places you can get a COVID-19 test.
Go here to find out if you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and register.
If you’re eligible here’s where you can book your vaccination.
Vaccination clinic locations.
Download the VIC COVID-19 check-in app.
Information and resources about COVID-19 in your language.

Western Australia:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in WA.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Places you can get a COVID-19 test.
Go here to find out if you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and register.
If you’re eligible here’s where you can book your vaccination.
Vaccination clinic locations.
Download the WA COVID-19 check-in app.
Information and resources about COVID-19 in your language.

Tasmania:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in Tasmania.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Places you can get a COVID-19 test.
Go here to find out if you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and register.
If you’re eligible here’s where you can book your vaccination.
Vaccination clinic locations.
Download the TAS COVID-19 check-in app.
Information and resources about COVID-19 in your language.

South Australia:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in South Australia.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Places you can get a COVID-19 test.
Go here to find out if you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and register.
If you’re eligible here’s where you can book your vaccination.
Vaccination clinic locations.
Download the SAGov app to safely check-in.
Information and resources about COVID-19 in your language.

Northern Territory:

General information about COVID-19 and the rules and restrictions currently in place for people in the Nothern Territory.
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Book to get a COVID-19 test.
Go here to find out if you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and register.
If you’re eligible here’s where you can book your vaccination.
Download the NT COVID-19 check-in app.

From August 1, the Morrison Government is listing a number of new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to support thousands of Australians with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), high cholesterol and chronic migraine.
Australians patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 1, 2 or 3a who are aged 18 years or under when treatment begins will have subsidised access to Evrysdi® (risdiplam), which is being listed on the PBS for the first time.
Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare inherited genetic muscle wasting disease characterised by a loss of motor neurons. It causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting, and its most severe forms can cause paralysis and death.
One in 10,000 births in Australia are affected by SMA and the disease is the number one genetic cause of death of babies under two in Australia. There is no known cure for SMA.
One in 35 people in Australia unknowingly carry the SMA gene. Being a carrier does not mean you are affected by the condition.
Evrysdi® is an oral form of treatment for SMA. It is a less invasive treatment option for patients compared to spinal injections which may also reduce the frequency of visits to specialist hospitals. Without PBS subsidy, around 100 Australians a year will pay more than $123,000 for treatment.
Australians suffering from hypercholesterolaemia (elevation of cholesterol in the blood) will have access to a new treatment, Praluent® (alirocumab), which lowers cholesterol levels and can reduce a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Hypercholesterolaemia results in abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood, can lead to blockages in the arteries, hardening of the arterial walls, and a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke without proper treatment.
The treatment will be available to Australians with severe forms of hypercholesterolaemia and without PBS subsidy, more than 20,000 Australians would pay around $6,500 per year for this treatment.
Also, being listed for the first time is Ajovy® (fremanezumab), which will be available to Australians with chronic migraine.
It is estimated around 20 per cent of the population live with migraine or experience migraine attacks at some stage in their lives. Migraine often appear in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood, but affect the greatest number of people between 35 and 45 years of age who experience migraine attacks.
Without PBS subsidy, around 10,000 Australians would pay around $6,700 per year for this new treatment.
This follows a recent listing earlier this year by the Government of Emgality® (galcanezumab), which means Australians will now have a choice between two treatment options for chronic migraine.
Earlier this month, we also announced from August 1, Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) will be extended on the PBS for the treatment of Australians with colorectal cancer, a type of bowel cancer.
These new listings with save Australians and their families thousands of dollars for these treatments, which will now only cost them $41.30 per script or just $6.60 if they have a concession card.
These listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, the Coalition Government has approved more than 2,700 new or amended listings on the PBS.
This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.5 billion.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.’

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 33,909 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 923 people have died. More than 24.8 million tests have been undertaken in Australia. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,209,935 million tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 196.5 million cases and sadly over 4.1 million deaths, with 660,253 new cases and 11,538 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date 12,005,978 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including a record 210,742 in the previous 24 hours.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1,154,985 vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 39.9 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 64.6 per cent of over 50 year olds and over 78.5 per cent of over 70 year olds. More than 18.2 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are fully vaccinated including more than 25.2 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 40.5 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided a briefing on the vaccination program, which continues to expand significantly.
National Cabinet received a detailed briefing from the Director of Doherty Epidemiology, Professor Jodie McVernon on modelling of COVID-19 infections and vaccinations to define target levels of transition to Phase B and Phase C of the four step National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response, taking into account COVID-19 transmission, severity and vaccine effectiveness of the delta variant.
The modelling has informed an updated four step National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response by COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce (Taskforce), led by the Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Phil Gaetjens, and the Commonwealth Treasury economic impact analysis of COVID-19 transitions. Analysis is being coordinated with Commonwealth, state and territory Treasuries, Health Departments and First Secretaries Departments.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are registered for use in Australia and are proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and death, as well as limiting transmission.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 6 August 2021.
National Plan to Transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response
The National Cabinet agreed in-principle to an updated four-step National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response (National Plan) taking into account the Doherty Institute COVID-19 modelling and the Commonwealth Department of Treasury economic analysis.
The National Plan charts the way back.
The National Plan provides a graduated pathway to transition Australia’s COVID-19 response from its current pre-vaccination settings focused on continued suppression of community transmission, to post-vaccination settings focused on prevention of serious illness and fatalities, whereby the public health management of COVID-19 is consistent with other infectious diseases.
The National Plan sets out four phases to effectuate this transition. Each phase will be triggered by the achievement of vaccination thresholds of both the nation, and the individual state or territory expressed as a percentage of the eligible population (16+), based on the scientific and economic modelling conducted for the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce.
The updates agreed in-principle today by the National Cabinet are the Vaccination thresholds to move to Phase B and Phase C. The National Cabinet will commission further detailed modelling over the coming months to update and refine the National Plan as required.
A sub-group of National Cabinet consisting of Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory will also prepare options on how restrictions can be eased for vaccinated Australians in Phase B.
Phase A. Vaccinate, Prepare and Pilot (Current Phase)
Australia will continue to strongly suppress the virus for the purpose of minimising community transmission. Measures may include accelerating vaccination rates, closing international borders to keep COVID-19 out, and early, stringent and short lockdowns if outbreaks occur.
Phase B. Vaccination Transition Phase (~70% of adult population fully vaccinated)
In this phase, Australia will seek to minimise serious illness, hospitalisations and fatalities as a result of COVID-19 with low-level restrictions. Measures may include maintaining high vaccination rates, encouraging uptake through incentives and other measures, minimising cases in the community through ongoing low-level restrictions and effective track and trace, and with lockdowns unlikely but possible and targeted.
Phase C. Vaccination Consolidation Phase (≥80% of adult population fully vaccinated)
In Phase C, Australia will seek to minimise serious illness, hospitalisations and fatalities as a result of COVID-19 with baseline restrictions. Measures may include maximising vaccination coverage, minimum ongoing baseline restrictions adjusted to minimise cases without lockdowns, and highly targeted lockdowns only.