11 December

Australia secures 20 million extra Astra Zeneca vaccines for onshore manufacturing to cover entire population and a further 11 million Novavax - Update on University of Queensland
On the basis of scientific advice, the Government has secured an additional 20 million doses of the promising AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, strengthening Australia's position for whole-of-population vaccination. This will mean a total delivery of 53.8 million Astra Zeneca vaccine doses in 2021, covering the whole of population requirements. The extra 20 million doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine will be produced within Australia by CSL. Our advice remains that Australia remains on track for first vaccinations in March, and completion of whole of population in 2021, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt.
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10 December

ACCC grants re-authorisation to continue interoperability arrangements for electronic prescriptions systems
The ACCC has granted re-authorisation to enable eRx Script Exchange Pty Ltd (eRx) to continue to give effect to a revenue sharing arrangement with IP MDS Pty Ltd (formerly MediSecure Pty Ltd) (MDS). The revenue sharing arrangement facilitates the interoperability between the parties' electronic pharmaceutical prescription exchange systems. This means that patients can go to any pharmacy to get medicine, regardless of which system the doctor uses. The ACCC considers the revenue sharing arrangement is likely to result in public benefits in the form of increased efficiencies for pharmacies.
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9 December

Section A: Pre-market registration applications referred for advice
At the Advisory Committee on Medicines meeting, the committee's advice was sought on 8 applications under evaluation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The applications included:
- three for the registration of a new chemical entity
- one for the registration of a new combination of active ingredients
- two seeking extension of indications
- two seeking major variations to the dose or form of a product
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8 December

Guidance for Declaration of Conformity for Class I non-sterile non-measuring and Class 1 in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices
TGA released a guidance applying to the Declaration of Conformity procedures for Class I non-sterile, non-measuring medical devices, Class 1 in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices and Class I Systems and Procedure Packs. This document is designed to assist manufacturers in completing the relevant Declaration of Conformity and to assist sponsors confirming that documentation prepared by the manufacturer is complete.
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Research

10 December

Australia and India partner on COVID-19 research
Australian and Indian researchers will work together to advance COVID-19 screening and study the future health effects of the virus, after a nearly $4 million investment by the Government. The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) has funded six new projects, including one to develop COVID-19 diagnostic technologies and another study of the longer-term effects on the hearts and lungs of patients who have recovered. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said she was pleased that work in these important areas would be able to continue after the COVID-19 pandemic had caused significant delays this year.
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AMA warns about health impacts of climate change
With bushfires having already started and the last devastating summer season still fresh in the mind, a major report confirms that Australians are being increasingly exposed to intense heatwaves and bushfires. The findings of the MJA-Lancet Countdown on health and climate change, released in the Medical Journal of Australia, demonstrate the need for urgent action from the Government to limit the health risks of rising temperatures. In September 2019, the AMA recognised climate change as a health emergency, with scientific evidence indicating severe impacts for our patients and communities, now and into the future.
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Sydney researchers develop rapid genomics strategy to trace coronavirus
Thanks to cutting-edge 'Nanopore' genome sequencing technology, researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney have developed the most rapid coronavirus genome sequencing strategy in Australia to date. The technological advance has the potential to provide critical, timely clues on how cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection are linked. The researchers published an analytical validation and best practice guidelines for Nanopore sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in Nature Communications, which they hope will enable a greater uptake of the fast sequencing technology for health initiatives in Australia and overseas.
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9 December

Industry attacks on new alcohol guidelines put profit before public health
New guidelines for alcohol consumption will help Australians understand the serious health effects of drinking alcohol, and industry attacks on them have no credibility, AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid said. The updated Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, released by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), recommend that healthy people drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week. The AMA supported the updated Guidelines in a submission to the NHMRC.
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8 December

No more than 10 a week and 4 a day
National Health and Medical Research Council confirmed new national guidelines for reducing the health risks from drinking alcohol. The guidelines are the result of four years of extensive review of the evidence on the harms and benefits of drinking alcohol. They replace the previous version, published in 2009. They will underpin policy decisions and public health messaging for many years to come. 'We're not telling Australians how much to drink,' said Professor Anne Kelso, CEO of NHMRC. 'We're providing advice about the health risks so that we can all make informed decisions in our daily lives.'
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Australia leads the world on healthcare satisfaction
Australians are the most satisfied citizens in the world when it comes to the quality of healthcare, they have access to, according to a new Ipsos global survey of 27 nations. A large minority of Australians (42%), however, are concerned that many in our country cannot afford good healthcare and more than half (55%) believe the health system is currently overstretched. Ipsos Australia Director, Head of Public Affairs - Melbourne, Dan Pole, said: 'These results are a continuation of a longer term trend of increasing positivity towards healthcare and the healthcare system in Australia. We are more satisfied than we were a decade ago, and right now we are among the most satisfied citizens in the world.
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FARE welcomes updated National Alcohol Guidelines
The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) welcomed the release of the revised Alcohol Guidelines (the Guidelines) by the National Medical Health and Research Council (NHMRC). The Guidelines reflect the best available evidence on the harm caused by alcohol, providing people with accurate, clear and consistent information about how to reduce their risk of harm. The Guidelines have been developed through a robust three-year process by leading researchers and experts. FARE has also received funding from the Australian Government to undertake a national awareness campaign on alcohol, pregnancy and breastfeeding, addressing Guideline 3.
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7 December

New implants to help detect and prevent brain seizures
Researchers from Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, have developed new implantable devices equipped with machine learning to help prevent seizures and monitor patients after brain surgery. The researchers will now use a $1 million Australian Government grant awarded to Australian company Anatomics to develop a 'smart helmet' to monitor brain swelling in stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. Researcher at CSIRO's data and digital specialist arm, Data61, Dr Umut Guvenc said traumatic brain injuries affect over 69 million people worldwide, including 700,000 Australians, with one in three likely to develop chronic epilepsy due to the high frequency of seizures.
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Health researchers need to live and work in rural communities they study
Rural health researchers should live with, work with and report back to the participants in their studies, rather than flying in, collecting data, and disappearing, according to the National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Ruth Stewart. Writing in the Medical Journal of Australia, Professor Stewart said people referred to researchers who fly in, rapidly collect data and fly off with it. 'I have seen many examples of innovative models of care in rural Australia,' Professor Stewart wrote. 'To improve rural health we need to better understand it. We need to understand the why of health outcomes and evaluate which interventions are acceptable and effective. Evidence to inform such answers is scarce. Gaps in the Australian rural health research evidence base threaten to leave holes in Australian health policy.
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The short to medium term benefits of the Australian colorectal cancer screening program
The Medical Journal of Australia said that: 'In Australia, colorectal cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and one of the most common causes of cancer-related death. Evidence that bowel cancer screening reduces mortality through early detection and treatment led to the introduction in 2006 of the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), offering faecal occult blood testing. The NBCSP has been progressively rolled out, from covering those aged 55 or 65 years in 2006 to screening every two years for all Australians aged 50-74 years by 2020.'
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VIC: Premier's awards celebrate medical research excellence
Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford said that: 'Victoria's brightest emerging leaders in health and medical research have been honoured at the prestigious 26th annual Premier's Awards for Health and Medical Research. Top honours - the Premier's Research Excellence Award - went to Dr Simone Park from the University of Melbourne and the Peter Doherty Institute for her work on local immune protection against cancer and infection. Dr Park's research has revealed how local immune cells inhibit cancer and infection, with encouraging evidence for further exploration of tissue-resident memory cells as targets of future cancer therapy and vaccines. Dr Park was awarded $20,000 and a trophy designed by Geelong-based Indigenous art collective Wathaurong Glass.'
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VIC: Premier's award celebrate medical research excellence
The Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts & Regions said that Victoria's brightest emerging leaders in health and medical research have been honoured at the prestigious 26th annual Premier's Awards for Health and Medical Research. Top honours - the Premier's Research Excellence Award - went to Dr Simone Park from the University of Melbourne and the Peter Doherty Institute for her work on local immune protection against cancer and infection. Research conducted by this year's award finalists include exploring genetic factors in cancer risk, managing health risks in babies, finding gentler approaches to diagnosing young children, time-critical treatment of stroke patients, influences in mental health vulnerability and treatment, and targeted treatment of chronic health issues.
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4 December

WA: New health and climate change framework for WA
The WA Government has released the Climate Health WA Inquiry Final Report and endorsed its recommendations in principle. The Climate Health WA Inquiry was one of the key priorities within the Sustainable Health Review Final Report. It is the first statutory inquiry anywhere in the world focused on the health impacts of climate change. Key findings of the Inquiry include recognition that climate action is necessary for health system sustainability and that the benefits of change far outweigh costs when health is factored in, said WA Minister for Health Roger Cook.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health

8 December

Telehealth supports people living in the bush
National Rural Health Commissioner Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart acknowledges the grief and loss experienced by the families featured in the 60 Minutes program. 'The program mentioned that telehealth is replacing doctors in rural communities. Telehealth is a great tool which rural medical practitioners have used for years and it proved its value during the COVID-19 restrictions, particularly for people living in rural and regional parts of Australia. 'Telehealth is an outstanding tool. I will be interested in what we learn from a number of innovative models of care using telehealth and other modalities currently being trialled in western NSW,' Professor Stewart said.
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7 December

Health researchers need to live and work in rural communities they study
Rural health researchers should live with, work with and report back to the participants in their studies, rather than flying in, collecting data, and disappearing, according to the National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Ruth Stewart. Writing in the Medical Journal of Australia, Professor Stewart said people referred to researchers who fly in, rapidly collect data and fly off with it, 'leaving only guano behind', as 'seagulls'. 'I have seen many examples of innovative models of care in rural Australia,' Professor Stewart wrote.
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Health researchers need to live and work in rural communities they study
Rural health researchers should live with, work with and report back to the participants in their studies, rather than flying in, collecting data, and disappearing, according to the National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Ruth Stewart. Writing in the Medical Journal of Australia, Professor Stewart said people referred to researchers who fly in, rapidly collect data and fly off with it. 'I have seen many examples of innovative models of care in rural Australia,' Professor Stewart wrote. 'To improve rural health we need to better understand it. We need to understand the why of health outcomes and evaluate which interventions are acceptable and effective. Evidence to inform such answers is scarce. Gaps in the Australian rural health research evidence base threaten to leave holes in Australian health policy.
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4 December

Government supports Hear For You
Young deaf and hearing-impaired Australians will benefit from a $300,000 investment to support their mental health and well-being, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The Government will fund Hear For You to deliver online mentoring, collaborate with mainstream youth mental health services providers, and produce a campaign to reduce stigma and encourage deaf and hearing impaired young people to seek help for mental health issues. Announcing the funding during a visit to Hear For You's headquarters at the Australian Hearing Hub in Sydney, Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton said Government is committed to ensuring Australians who are hard of hearing get the services they need.
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Hearing hub hosts hearing Minister
Ground-breaking research and world-leading facilities will be on show when Minister Coulton visits the Australian Hearing Hub and Macquarie University in Sydney. Minister Coulton, who suffers hearing loss due to industrial deafness, said he was thrilled to see firsthand the innovation that is achieving positive outcomes for Australians with hearing challenges. Member for Bennelong John Alexander whose electorate is home to The Hub, welcomed the Minister's visit and congratulated the Hub.
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Women's Health

10 December

$11 million to reduce rates of heartbreaking stillbirths
The Government will provide $11 million to fast track a new national plan to reduce the number of stillbirths, ensuring families affected get the respectful bereavement care they need. Tragically, there are six stillbirths each day in Australia. That means suffering and loss for more than 2,000 families every year. Such loss is particularly hard as mothers and fathers prepare to welcome a new life into their families. A time of joy is replaced with heartbreak. Despite increasing evidence that many stillbirths can be prevented, there has been little change in the stillbirth rate in Australia over the past two decades, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt.
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National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan heralds a real change in stillbirth research and bereavement care in Australia
Australia's leading stillbirth research centre has welcomed a new national plan setting out a roadmap to reduce the rate of stillbirth in Australia. The launch of the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan marks the first Australia wide plan to strategically address the issue of stillbirth. Professor Vicki Flenady, Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth (Stillbirth CRE), said the plan was a monumental step forward in the fight to end preventable stillbirth in Australia.
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6 December

WA: Surplus delivers a fully funded new Women and Babies Hospital
The WA Government will use its strong Budget surplus position to invest $1.8 billion to build a new world-class Women and Babies Hospital for Western Australians. The project is fully funded through the upcoming 2020-21 Mid-year Review, with all required funding allocated to a special hospital construction account, from the stronger than expected surplus of $2.2 billion. Preliminary planning for the project had already commenced following the initial investment of $3.3 million in the 2019-20 State Budget, said WA Premier Mark McGowan.
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Transcripts

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
09 DEC: Transcript of Proceedings - Hearing Block 9, Day 3
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison
08 DEC: Transcript of Remarks to the Joint Party Room, Parliament House
Subjects: COVID-19, Economic recovery, Resilience of health systems, Broader strategic threats, Federal Coalition, Industries, Skills training reforms

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham
07 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News Live First Edition
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Industrial relations bill, Foreign relations bill, Trade relations, China

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles
07 DEC: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19, Brereton Report, Foreign relations, Hotel quarantine, Social distancing, Public health, Defence, China

Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Kristina Keneally
07 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky News, AM Agenda
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Quarantine system, Sydney breach, International arrivals, Australians overseas, Hotel quarantine

Minister for Health Greg Hunt
06 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky News Live
Subjects: Coronavirus, Vaccine rollout, Vaccine safety, Airline travel, Vaccine priority groups

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud
04 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News
Subjects: COVID-19 contract tracing, Border openings, Agriculture wages, Labour, Australia-China relationship, Foreign exports

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Reports

Australian Public Assessment Report for Alanylglutamine - Proprietary Product Name: Dipeptiven - Sponsor: Fresenius Kabi Australia Pty Ltd
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This AusPAR describes the application by Fresenius Kabi Australia Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to register Dipeptiven (alanylglutamine) 200 mg/mL concentrated solution for intravenous (IV) infusion for the following proposed indication: Dipeptiven is indicated as part of a clinical nutrition regimen in patients in hypercatabolic and/or hypermetabolic states. It should be given together with parenteral nutrition. Glutamine (GLN) is the most abundant nonessential free amino acid and is necessary to modulate the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in patients.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2020 summary report
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
The report highlights recurring themes from Indigenous health policy and research in Australia over the past three decades, including:
- continuing health inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
- broader social inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in areas that can affect health, including housing, education, employment, income, and access to adequate health care and other goods and services
- how well the health system serves the needs of Indigenous Australians
- how governments can work in partnership and share decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and leadership in identifying and responding to health priorities.
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Report No. 22 - Planning and Governance of COVID-19 Procurements to Increase the National Medical Stockpile
Australian National Audit Office (ANAO)
The Auditor-General made four recommendations to Health aimed at basing NMS procurement decisions on key strategic risks; collaborating with states and territories to document procurement priorities; developing a mechanism for sharing stockpile information between jurisdictions; and establishing protocols for emergency NMS procurements.
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Microdata: Patient Experiences, Australia
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
The Patient Experiences Survey collected information from people aged 15 years and over about their experiences with selected health services for their own health in the last 12 months. See Patient Experiences in Australia, 2019-20 for summary results, methodology and other information. The following microdata products are available from this survey:
- DataLab - detailed microdata is available in DataLab for the following survey years: 2018-19 and 2019-20
- TableBuilder - produce your own tables and graphs. TableBuilder is available for the following survey years: 2016-17
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Integration of the 2017-18 National Health Survey and the Personal Linkage Spine
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
The 2017-18 National Health Survey (NHS) is an Australia-wide health survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The 2017-18 NHS collected information about the health of Australians, including:
- prevalence of long-term health conditions; health risk factors such as smoking, overweight and obesity, alcohol consumption and physical activity;
- demographic and socioeconomic characteristics;
- geospatial data.
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2019/20 Annual Report
Mental Health Australia
Detailed strategies and key performance indicators (KPIs) were set for each 12-month period, and monitored and reported upon through an internal Operational Plan that detailed teams responsible for strategies, and activities required to meet KPIs. Delivery against the Strategic Plan was impacted by a number of initiatives unknown at the time of its development: the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health, the work of the National Mental Health Commission on Vision 2030, and certainly well before either bushfires or the global pandemic faced the organisation and the community.
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2019/20 Financial Report
Mental Health Australia
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Application for authorisation AA1000472 lodged by eRx Script Exchange Pty Ltd in respect of revenue sharing arrangement with IP MDS Pty Ltd - Final Determination
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The ACCC has decided to re-authorise eRx Script Exchange Pty Ltd (eRx) to continue to give effect to a revenue sharing arrangement with IP MDS Pty Ltd (formerly MediSecure Pty Ltd) (MDS) until 30 June 2025. The revenue sharing arrangement has the purpose of allowing eRx to continue operating its Prescription Exchange Service (PES), which communicates electronic prescription information between doctors and pharmacies, interoperably with MDS's PES.
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Specialist Homelessness Services - Annual Report
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
The specialist homelessness services web report is an annual report summarising data from the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC). It describes the characteristics of clients of specialist homelessness services, the services requested, outcomes achieved, and unmet requests for services. Safe, secure housing is fundamental to people's health and wellbeing. Both people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness are supported by specialist homelessness services (SHS).
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Incidence of insulin-treated diabetes, 2019
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
This fact sheet presents the latest data on new cases of type 1 diabetes and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes for 2019 from the National (insulin-treated) Diabetes Register (NDR).
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Annual report 2019-20
National Health Practitioner Ombudsman
The National Scheme sought to address the problems in the regulatory landscape by:
- ensuring all registered health professionals meet the same, high-quality professional standards
- allowing registered health practitioners to practise across Australia without having to re-register in each state and territory.
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ICT Strategy and Architecture Report
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality & Safety
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was established to report on the quality of aged care services and whether those services are meeting the needs of the older Australian community. This includes care for older people living at home, people living with dementia, and people living in residential aged care including younger people with disabilities. The Royal Commission examined the care provided in cities, as well as in regional and remote areas. This includes the way that providers meet their care obligations, how the Government assures service providers, and the effectiveness and utilisation of technologies in the sector.
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South Australia

07 DEC 2020: SA, SOUTHERN ADELAIDE LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S HEALTH NETWORK: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, SAAS VOLUNTEER HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: 2019-2020 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, SOUTHERN ADELAIDE LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, YORKE & NORTHERN LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, LIMESTONE COAST LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, CENTRAL ADELAIDE LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, EYRE & FAR NORTH LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, RIVERLAND MALLEE COORONG LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK INC: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: SA, BAROSSA HILLS FLEURIEU LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK: 2019-20 Annual Report - 03 DEC 2020

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Hansards

Federal

10 DEC 2020: REPS NOTICE PAPER: Questions in Writing - 0482 Mr Hill: Minister for Health - In respect of current visa rules set by the Migration Regulations

08 DEC 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - National Disability Insurance Scheme

09 DEC 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID 19: Vaccine

08 DEC 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Aged Care

08 DEC 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Aged Care

08 DEC 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions without Notice - Aged Care: Home-Care Packages

08 DEC 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions without Notice: Additional Answers - Aged Care: Home-Care Packages

08 DEC 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Additional Answers - Aged Care

08 DEC 2020: REPS HANSARD: Adjournment - People with Disability

07 DEC 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Statements by Members - COVID-19: Vaccines

Australian Capital Territory

08 DEC 2020: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health, Nurse-Led Walk-In Centres - 03 DEC 2020

08 DEC 2020: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motion - Hospitals - Junior Doctors - 02 DEC 2020

Western Australia

07 DEC 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Peel Health Campus - 04 DEC 2020

07 DEC 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Ambulance Ramping - 04 DEC 2020

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Court Cases

None this edition.

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New Regulations

Federal

Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Variation (Extension No. 3) Instrument 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01566
The purpose of the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Variation (Extension No.3) Instrument 2020 (the Instrument) is to vary the Declaration to extend the human biosecurity emergency period for a further three months until 17 March 2021, unless further extended by the Governor-General. The Act provides that the Director of Human Biosecurity is the person who occupies or is acting in, the position of Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer in the Commonwealth Department of Health (subsection 544(1)).
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Chronic Disease Management Services for Care Recipients of a Residential Aged Care Facility) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01552
The Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Chronic Disease Management Services for Care Recipients of a Residential Aged Care Facility) Determination 2020 (the Determination) prescribes 73 temporary items to allow care recipients of a residential aged care facility to increase the amount of selected Medicare subsidised chronic disease management plan allied health services.
Explanatory Statement

Migration Legislation Amendment (Health Workforce Certificates Measures No. 1) Instrument (LIN 20/273) 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01544
The purpose of the instrument is to update the definition of HWC in LIN 19/047 and LIN 19/049. As a result of changes to LIN 19/048 and LIN 19/219 to introduce the Health Workforce Exemption Certificate (HWEC), the definition of HWC was amended in LIN 19/047 and LIN 19/049. The change to the definition of HWC in LIN 19/047 and LIN 19/049 by this instrument, ensures that the definition is the same as the definition of HWC in LIN 19/048 and LIN 19/219.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Mental Health Services) Amendment (Care Recipient in a Residential Aged Care Facility) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01548
The Health Insurance (Section3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Mental Health Services) Amendment (Care Recipient in a Residential Aged Care Facility) Determination 2020 (the Determination) will list 50 new items for mental health treatment planning and review for care recipients in an aged care facility. This will align mental health support for care recipients in an aged care facility with support for people living in the community.
Explanatory Statement

Migration Legislation Amendment (Health Workforce Certificates Measures No. 2) Instrument (LIN 20/274) 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01545
The purpose of the instrument is to implement the requirement for a hospital employer who is a sponsor to obtain a current HWEC for a nomination for a hospital-based position. The HWC that was already specified in LIN 19/048 and LIN 19/219 continues to be required to be obtained by a sponsoring employer for a nomination for non-hospital-based positions.
Explanatory Statement

New South Wales

04 DEC 2020: NSW, HAZZARD: Legislation - Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments - Human Tissue Amendment (Blood Donations) Regulation 2020 - Human Tissue Act 1983 - 2020-702

Queensland

Disability Services (Exclusion of Approved Aged Care Providers from Screening) Amendment Regulation 2020
Subordinate Legislation 2020 No. 254
The objective of the Disability Services (Exclusion of Approved Aged Care Providers from Screening) Amendment Regulation 2020 (the Amendment Regulation) is to amend the Disability Services Regulation 2017 (DSR) to exempt relevant residential aged care (RAC) providers providing NDIS supports to NDIS participants, from screening requirements under the Disability Services Act 2006 (DSA), from 1 December 2020
Explanatory Notes | Human Rights Certificate

Victoria

01 DEC 2020: VIC, FOLEY: Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020 - S.R. No. 132/2020

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Proclamations

None this edition.

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Gazette Notices

New South Wales

07 DEC 2020: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 364: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 7 - Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 7) 2020 - 04 DEC 2020

04 DEC 2020: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 364: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 7 - Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 7) 2020

04 DEC 2020: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 355: Government Notices - Health and Education

Victoria

08 DEC 2020: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 644: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 - Revocation of Exemption

07 DEC 2020: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 643: Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 198(7)(c) - Extension of Declaration of A State of Emergency

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Consolidated Legislation

Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995
Act Compilation - C2020C00384
Act No. 130 of 1995 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Amendment (Administration) Act 2020. An Act relating to the consequences of certain compensation payments, and for related purposes.
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Health Insurance Act 1973
Act Compilation - C2020C00383
Act No. 42 of 1974 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Amendment (Administration) Act 2020. An Act providing for Payments by way of Medical Benefits and Payments for Hospital Services and for other purposes.
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Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973
Act Compilation - C2020C00382
Act No. 41 of 1974 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Services Australia Governance Amendment Act 2020. An Act relating to the provision of certain services, and for other purposes.
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National Health (Highly specialised drugs program) Special Arrangement 2010 (PB 116 of 2010)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C01072
In force - Latest Version PB 116 of 2010 Arrangements as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Highly specialised drugs program) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 10) (PB 115 of 2020).
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National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Determination 2019 (PB 114 of 2019)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C01071
In force - Latest Version PB 114 of 2019 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 8) (PB 113 of 2020)
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New Bills

Federal

Aged Care Amendment (Aged Care Recipient Classification) Bill 2020 - Reps 2R debate 8/12, Reps passed with amendments 8/12, Senate intro 9/12, Senate 2R debate 10/12, Senate passed 10/12, awaiting assent
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 1) Bill 2020 - (Reps passed) Senate 2R debate 8/12, Senate passed 8/12, awaiting assent
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 2) Bill 2020 - Reps 2R debate 9/12, Reps referred to Fed Chamber 9/12, Fed Chamber 2R debate 9/12, Fed Chamber passed with amendments 9/12, Reps passed 9/12

Health Insurance Amendment (Compliance Administration) Bill 2020 - Reps 2R debate 8/12, Reps passed 8/12, Senate intro 9/12, Senate 2R debate 10/12, Senate passed 10/12, awaiting assent

Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Bill 2020 - Reps intro 9/12

Victoria

Human Tissue Amendment Bill 2020 - Assent 08/12/20, Act No. 42 of 2020
Justice Legislation Amendment (Drug Court and Other Matters) Bill 2020 - Assent 08/12/20, Act No. 43 of 2020
Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Quarantine Fees) Bill 2020 - Assent 09/12/20, Act No. 44 of 2020

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New Acts

Queensland

An Act to amend the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020, the Explosives Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020, the Electoral Act 1992, the Gaming Machine Act 1991, the Liquor Act 1992, the Local Government Act 2009, the Local Government Electoral Act 2011, the Retail Shop Leases and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020, the Youth Justice Act 1992 and the other legislation mentioned in sections 37 and 38 and schedule 1 for particular purposes.

The objectives of the Act are to:

• extend the operation of all COVID-19 related legislation which is still required to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency until 30 April 2021 or an earlier date to be prescribed by regulation (referred to as the 'COVID-19 legislation expiry day' throughout);
• insert appropriate transitional mechanisms which provide for the ability to return to normal operations in the most effective and efficient way once the COVID-19 related legislation is no longer needed;
• preserve rights and obligations that have accrued during the 'response period' and 'extension period' under the Retail Shop Leases and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020 (Leases Regulation);
• extend the temporary operation of the QSBC;
• amend the Youth Justice Act 1992 (YJ Act) to allow the chief executive (youth justice) to delegate his or her powers to appropriately qualified temporary detention centre employees in the event of a future COVID-19 outbreak;
• amend the Electoral Act 1992 (Electoral Act) to provide flexibility, if required, to facilitate the holding of a by-election in a way that helps minimise serious risks to the health and safety of persons caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency;
• amend the Liquor Act 1992 (Liquor Act) to continue support for the artisan liquor sector by temporarily removing restrictions on sales to the public of the liquor of artisan distillers; and
• amend the process for filling a vacancy in the office of a mayor or councillor that arises during the period starting on a quadrennial election and ending on the day before the first anniversary of the election.

Intro 26/11/20, Referred to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee for consideration 26/11/20, Declared urgent 26/11/20, 2R 01/12/20, 02/12/20, Passed 02/12/20

Assent 04/12/20, Act No. 38 of 2020

Commencement:

(1) Part 2, division 3 is taken to have commenced on 2 December 2020.
(2) Section 4(2) commences on the day after the COVID-19 legislation expiry day.
(3) Section 39 and schedule 1 commence on 1 March 2021.
(4) Section 45(2) commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

Victoria

An Act to amend the Human Tissue Act 1982 to establish a process for authorising the carrying out of ante-mortem procedures for the purposes of donating human tissue after death and for other purposes.

The Human Tissue Act 1982 provides for the transplantation of human tissue (including organs) in another person after the death of the donor, or for the use of the tissue for other therapeutic or for medical or scientific purposes after the donor's death, and includes a process for the authorisation of the removal of the human tissue for those purposes. The types of transplantation permitted includes the donation of organs after circulatory death. Modern practice in relation to organ donation after circulatory death requires ante-mortem procedures to be undertaken in relation to the person before cardio-respiratory support is withdrawn in order to ensure that the organs are viable for donation. The Human Tissue Act 1982 is silent as to how these ante-mortem procedures are to be authorised. This Act amends the Human Tissue Act 1982 to include a process for the authorisation of any ante-mortem procedures which are required to be undertaken in relation to a person when the removal of their tissue has been authorised for the purposes specified in the Human Tissue Act 1982.

LA: 1R 03/09/20, 2R 04/09/20, 28/10/20, 29/10/20, Passed (with amendments) 29/10/20
LC: 1R 29/10/20, 2R 29/10/20, 26/11/20, Passed 26/11/20

Assent 08/12/20, Act No. 42 of 2020

Commencement: This Act comes into operation on the day after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

An Act to amend the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to provide for quarantine fees and for other purposes.

The purpose of the Act is to amend the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to provide for fees for quarantine of people arriving in Victoria from overseas. The retrospective operation is needed to align with the resumption of international flights to Victoria. It is in the public interest for the State to be able to reduce costs to the State and the public of mandatory quarantine for international arrivals. It also enables the equitable treatment of international arrivals to Victoria, irrespective of when they secured flights. The scheme has limited operation, given its repeal on 31 December 2021.

LA: 1R 08/12/20, 2R 08/12/20, Passed 08/12/20
LC: 1R 08/12/20, 2R 08/12/20, Passed 08/12/20

Assent 09/12/20, Act No. 44 of 2020

Commencement:

(1) Section 1 and this section come into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2) The remaining provisions of this Act are deemed to have come into operation on 7 December 2020.

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