This Newsletter covers Federal and State policy and legislative developments in the area of health. Copies of documents referred to can be obtained by clicking on the reference in this Newsletter or through Capital Monitor's collection at www.capitalmonitor.com.au or from the source quoted.
Major Announcements
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
12 November
AMA statement on vaccination for COVID-19
Continuing outbreaks of COVID-19 worldwide and within Australia have demonstrated that while current public health advice, including social distancing, hand hygiene, mask wearing, and restrictions can control the virus to a degree, a COVID-19 vaccine(s) is the only measure that will potentially enable a return to 'normal' life. With more than 190 vaccines in development, the community should be optimistic about the prospects of an effective vaccine, although it needs to be understood that this is not guaranteed or that it may take longer to develop and roll out than the community might hope, said Australian Medical Association (AMA).
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COVID reopening plan drives complacency and risks the economy
The AMA Federal Council has urged National Cabinet to rethink the Framework and aim for an approach that better balances the desire to open up the economy with the need to keep COVID-19 out of the community. 'While the AMA acknowledges the efforts by National Cabinet to encourage a more consistent approach across jurisdictions, our overall assessment is that it represents a significant change in direction, sending a message to the community that will drive complacency,' AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said.
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NT: Returned traveller tests positive
A 32 year old female who arrived on the repatriation flight from London on Sunday 8 November 2020 has tested positive for COVID-19 while in quarantine at the Howard Springs Centre for National Resilience. The woman tested negative upon arrival but has since tested positive after being a close contact of a previously reported case. The woman has mild symptoms and remains under the care of the AUSMAT team at the Centre for National Resilience, said the NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.
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11 November
COVID-19 community transmission 'very limited' in Sydney's first wave
Associate Professor Heather Gidding, from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at UNSW Sydney, analysed data from de-identified residual blood specimens from public and private laboratories and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood collected between April and June 2020, sampled by geographic location across 10-year age groups. Their aim was to estimate SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody seroprevalence among three subpopulations in Sydney (20-39-year-old women undergoing antenatal screening, 20-69-year-old plasmapheresis blood donors, and people of all ages having blood tests at selected diagnostic pathology services-general pathology) following the first epidemic wave of COVID-19 in Australia, said the Medical Journal of Australia.
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ACT: Southern Highlands added to areas of increased testing in NSW
There have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours, leaving the ACT's total at 114. There are no active cases in the ACT, said the ACT Department of Health. A total of 111 cases have recovered from COVID-19 in the ACT. There are no COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals. The ACT has recorded three (3) deaths. The number of negative tests recorded in the ACT is now 111,643.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
No cases of locally acquired COVID-19 were diagnosed in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm. Four cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,289 since the start of the pandemic. There were 20,586 tests reported to 8pm, compared with 10,058 in the previous 24 hours. NSW Department of Health is treating 71 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Almost all cases, 94 per cent, are being treated by NSW Health in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
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WA: COVID 19 update 11 November 2020
The WA Department of Health has reported two new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia. Both cases are males, one in their 20s and one in their 30s. The two cases have returned from overseas are in hotel quarantine. The State's positive COVID-19 case total stands at 780. WA Health is monitoring 14 active cases. To date 757 confirmed cases have recovered from the virus.
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10 November
COVID-19 support line extended and expanded
The Australian Government is ensuring senior Australians get the services and assistance they need with a $2.5 million investment to extend and expand the Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line. Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, said the support line will be extended until 30 June 2021. 'The Government will invest up to $2.5 million so senior Australians can continue to access information about the COVID-19 pandemic and get the support they need,' Minister Colbeck said. 'The support line has proved to be a very beneficial service for senior Australians who continue to face particular risks because of COVID-19, including social isolation and loneliness.'
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Government launches enhanced headspace in Busselton
Young people in Busselton and surrounds will now have easier access to mental health services with the opening of an expanded headspace satellite service. As part of the Australian Government's $111.3 million funding commitment to expanding the headspace network, additional ongoing funding has been provided to upgrade the service from an outpost to a permanent satellite service. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said young people have been affected significantly by the impacts of COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever.
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Vaccine news promising but safety is key
Early results of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine trial are promising, and highlight the unprecedented levels of cooperation around the world to defeat the virus, AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid said. Releasing a new AMA policy statement, Dr Khorshid that winning the trust of the public will be key to the successful rollout of any COVID-19 vaccine in Australia. 'Regulators are working hard to streamline approval processes so that any successful vaccines can be distributed as quickly as possible,' Dr Khorshid said. 'While we support the TGA's efforts to speed up its approval processes in this case, given the scale of the pandemic, it must still apply its usual criteria to assess the safety, quality and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.'
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
The NSW Department of Health said that no cases of locally acquired COVID-19 were diagnosed in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm. Four cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,289 since the start of the pandemic. There were 20,586 tests reported to 8pm, compared with 10,058 in the previous 24 hours. NSW Health is treating 71 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Almost all cases, 94 per cent, are being treated by NSW Health in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
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SA: Supporting South Australians through COVID Recovery
An extra $15.1 million to support the mental health of South Australians through the COVID-19 pandemic is being provided in the State Budget 2020-21 by the South Australian Government. South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the SA Government was committed to working hand-in-glove with the community to respond to the dual economic and health challenges presented by COVID-19. 'This year has presented unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, bushfires and drought, but we have responded by ensuring there is more support and resources available than ever before to support our community,' Minister Wade said.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 10 November 2020
The WA Department of Health has reported two new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia. Both cases are males, one in their 50s and one in their 60s, who have recently undertaken international travel. One is a maritime worker, who flew in to join a vessel. Both cases are in hotel quarantine. The State's positive COVID-19 case total stands at 778. WA Health is monitoring 12 active cases. To date 757 confirmed cases have recovered from the virus. 632 people presented to WA COVID-19 clinics - 623 were assessed and 622 were swabbed.
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9 November
COVID-19 and mental health: Are we really all in it together?
The Medical Journal of Australia said: 'When it comes to COVID-19 and its effect on the mental health of Australians, we may all be in this together but some are further in than others, according to the one of the nation's leading mental health practitioners and researchers. Professor Patrick McGorry AO, is Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, and is Executive Director of Orygen, the National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health. In an editorial published online by the Medical Journal of Australia, Professor McGorry wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on mental health will be deeper and more sustained than in other disasters. The initial mental health impact has been severe, and worse may be coming. Scientific models predicted that Australia would face a second curve of mental ill health and suicide, and this has now clearly arrived.'
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Response to Novel Coronavirus
The National Blood Authority continued to closely monitor evolving issues relating to COVID-19. Australia's blood supply remains safe and secure. The NBA, together with key suppliers, continues to closely monitor inventory levels of blood and blood related products and issues concerning the delivery of blood related services. There continues to be no disruption to the overall supply of blood and blood related products at this time. Fresh blood inventories are generally in an equal or stronger position than at the equivalent point in 2019, reflecting good continuing supply from donors and lower demand. The NBA remains in close contact with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (link is external) (Lifeblood) and with Australia's contracted commercial suppliers of blood products.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
For the third day in a row, no cases of locally acquired COVID-19 were diagnosed, Seven cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,280 since the start of the pandemic. Cases There were 9,499 tests reported, compared with 13,721. NSW Health is treating 63 COVID-19 cases. One patient is in intensive care and does not require ventilation.
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TAS: $6 million to uphold strong borders during COVID-19
Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett said that the Tasmanian Government said it remains committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, and the 2020-21 State Budget will ensure the strong border controls are maintained as Tasmania continues to recover from COVID-19. Biosecurity staff at airports and seaports have played a critical role in the Tasmanian Government's COVID-19 response, including the screening of all passenger arrivals in Tasmania to uphold travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.
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SA: Supporting South Australians Through COVID Recovery
An extra $15.1 million to support the mental health of South Australians through the COVID-19 pandemic is being provided in this year's Budget by the Marshall Liberal Government. South Australian Minister Wade said the Marshall Liberal Government is working hand-in-glove with the community to respond to the dual economic and health challenges presented by COVID-19. 'This year has presented unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, bushfires and drought, but we have responded by ensuring there is more support and resources available than ever before to support our community,' Minister Wade said.
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8 November
Our thanks to the staff of the National Incident Centre after a year of continuous operation
'For the first time in its history, Australia's National Incident Centre (NIC) has been activated continuously for more than one year, working across Government to respond to unprecedented health emergencies faced by Australia and the world,' said Minister Hunt. 'The NIC was activated in November 2019 in response to a measles outbreak in Samoa, and continued to act during the 2019-20 bushfires, the Whakaari Island volcano eruption and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.'
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NSW: Public health alert - Rouse Hill
NSW Health is calling on people in the Rouse Hill area to get tested if they have even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms after the state's sewage surveillance program detected traces of the virus in the area. The catchment takes sewage from approximately 120,000 people. Fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected in samples taken on Thursday 5 November from the sewerage system that drains parts of Quakers Hill, Castle Hill, Annangrove, Kellyville, Box Hill, Kenthurst, Glenhaven, The Ponds, Rouse Hill, North Kellyville, Kellyville Ridge, Beaumont Hills, Stanhope Gardens, Baulkham Hills, Glenwood, Bella Vista, Parklea, Acacia Gardens and Norwest.
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WA: COVID-19 update
The WA Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia. The State's positive COVID-19 case total stands at 776 and WA Health is monitoring 10 active cases. To date 757 people have recovered from the virus in WA. 381 people presented to WA COVID-19 clinics - 376 were assessed and 374 swabbed.
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Aged Care
11 November
Operational update - Victorian Aged Care Response Centre
The Department of Health said that the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre continued to provide the robust response effort required to protect the most vulnerable senior Australians living in aged care from the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of aged care outbreaks since 1 January 2020 is 177 and there is now 1 active outbreak, which is in the enhanced surveillance phase.
- 2 aged care facility outbreaks closed, including Estia Keilor ACF and Estia Ringwood ACF.
- Enhanced surveillance is conducted over the 14 days since the last resident or staff member was cleared or at the facility, and negative testing has occurred 11 days after these events. These facilities are on alert to identify any early symptoms.
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10 November
COVID-19 support line extended and expanded
The Australian Government is ensuring senior Australians get the services and assistance they need with a $2.5 million investment to extend and expand the Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line. Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said the support line will be extended until 30 June 2021. 'The Government will invest up to $2.5 million so senior Australians can continue to access information about the COVID-19 pandemic and get the support they need,' Minister Colbeck said. 'The support line has proved to be a very beneficial service for senior Australians who continue to face particular risks because of COVID-19, including social isolation and loneliness.'
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Smart sensors make homes safer for older Australians
Older Australians living independently at home will be able to send real-time data to their healthcare providers through a seamless, secure and transparent new health monitoring solution developed by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, and now licensed to Australian company HSC Technology Group Ltd. CSIRO's Smarter Safer Homes technology is Australia's leading evidence-based platforms with demonstrated clinical and health service benefits. The sensor-based in-home monitoring system with a patent pending algorithm will be integrated into HSC Technology Group's TALIUS Smart Analytics platform, servicing the aged care and supported living sectors.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
None this edition.
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Allied Health
None this edition.
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Children's Health
None this edition.
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Clinical Governance
12 November
QLD Government to ignore medical advice and rush into assisted suicide
The Government looks set to ignore the professional advice from the Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) and rush to introduce assisted suicide legislation. 'It is imperative that the government takes medical professional advice from groups such as the AMAQ, who do not support the introduction of assisted suicide legislation,' the Australian Christian Lobby.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
12 November
TAS: Building health infrastructure for the future and opening beds
The Tasmanian Government's health capital investment program is delivering in all three regions, with works either completed, planned or underway at more than 40 facilities around the state. These projects range from painting and flooring improvements, to installing new electrical infrastructure and plumbing works. This includes improvements to Ambulance access at the Launceston General Hospital Emergency Department, as well improvements to the airlock where ambulance patients are brought into the Emergency Department. Emergency Department and Ambulance Tasmania staff will be consulted in the development of the design, announced Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
13 November
People with disability must be top priority for COVID vaccine
National Disability Services (NDS) called upon National Cabinet to ensure people with disability, their families, carers and the workers who support them, are given priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available. Responding to media reports that National Cabinet will confirm that the Health and Aged Care sectors will be given priority access, NDS CEO, David Moody said: 'National Cabinet needs to decide today that people with disability, their families and carers, and the workers who support them feel valued and supported at a time when the risk of COVID outbreaks is real.'
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12 November
Increased protections for NDIS participants
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert welcomed the passage of legislation that will ensure NDIS participants are better protected from abuse and neglect. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission will have greater power to ban unsuitable providers and workers from working with NDIS participants, regardless of whether they are active in the sector or not. Minister Robert said that the NDIS Amendment (Strengthening Banning Orders) Bill 2020, will bolster safety mechanisms for Australians with disability.
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11 November
Government delivering on NDIS promise
Minister Robert released the latest NDIS Quarterly Report (Q1 2020-21) which shows the NDIA is on track to deliver against the Participant Service Guarantee announced in August. The data shows significant improvements in time frames across a number of NDIS processes, including 100 per cent of access decisions in the last quarter were made within 21 days, compared to 74 per cent one year ago. The NDIS is now supporting about 412,500 Australians with disability. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 78,000 participants have joined the Scheme in 2020 so far, including 21,961 who have joined in the last quarter.
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10 November
Ready to Go Home - Overcoming delays in leaving hospital for people with disability
NDS and the WA Department of Health said: 'We are excited to release an Expression of Interest (EOI) for health consumers with disability to become part of the project co-design team, to assist us in better understanding the consumer experience and working with consumers to develop pathways and resources. We encourage you to share the EOI through your networks. This project continues to be of particular interest with hospital discharge for people with disability becoming an increasingly concerning issue. The project partners held a workshop in August to review the desired project outcomes. The Executive Steering Committee met in September providing leadership from across disability, health, consumer and community sectors.'
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
None this edition.
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E-Health
None this edition.
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Education and Training
None this edition.
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Funding
13 November
TAS: Massive boost in health spending to deliver on plan
Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney announced the Tasmanian Government has a Plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania and is committed to building a better health system, supporting staff, driving better care and delivering the best possible outcomes for patients. The 2020-21 State Budget includes a record $9.8 billion in health spending over the next four years, which is a record investment by any Tasmanian Government. This is unprecedented resourcing for the system that is recruiting record staffing, opening beds and investing in the facilities patients and staff deserve.
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TAS: $23 million health technology package
Tasmanian Minister Courtney announced the Tasmanian Government will invest a further $45.5 million into elective surgeries over the next 18 months, delivering more surgery for more Tasmanians, reducing waiting times, bringing down the waiting list, and driving better outcomes for patients. This new funding, together with the previously announced $15 million provided through the Commonwealth, means the health service will deliver an estimated 8500 additional elective surgeries for the Tasmanian community over the next 18 months.
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11 November
NSW: New ambulances for Myall Lakes
The Myall Lakes electorate is receiving three additional ambulances thanks to the roll-out of 89 new ambulances across the state as part of the NSW Nationals in the state government's response to COVID-19. NSW Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said the three additional ambulances will provide another great boost for health, supporting paramedics responding to emergencies in the community. 'Health is the number one issue in our region and thanks to a $17 million investment by the NSW Nationals in the state government, Forster Tuncurry has received three new ambulances,' Mr Bromhead said.
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Health Professionals
10 November
Applications open for AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship
Applications are now open for the 2021 Australian Medical Association Indigenous Medical Scholarship, a program that has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study medicine since 1994. Previous recipients of the $10,000 a year scholarship have gone on to become prominent leaders in health and medicine, including Associate Professor Kelvin Kong, Australia's first Aboriginal surgeon. 'This Scholarship is a tangible step towards growing the Indigenous medical workforce,' AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid said.
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TAS: Labor backs call for Commission of Inquiry into LGH nurse
Labor has backed calls by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation for a Commission of Inquiry into historic sexual abuse allegations involving a nurse at the Launceston General Hospital. Tasmanian Shadow Minister for Health Sarah Lovell said examination of these matters must be undertaken by a body with the greatest possible powers. 'We recognise the government has announced an independent inquiry into these deeply distressing matters. Given the complexity of the matters involved, it's important that an inquiry has the power to compel all necessary evidence across multiple government agencies,' said Ms Lovell.
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8 November
Our thanks to the staff of the National Incident Centre after a year of continuous operation
'For the first time in its history, Australia's National Incident Centre (NIC) has been activated continuously for more than one year, working across Government to respond to unprecedented health emergencies faced by Australia and the world,' said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. 'The NIC was activated in November 2019 in response to a measles outbreak in Samoa, and continued to act during the 2019-20 bushfires, the Whakaari Island volcano eruption and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.'
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7 November
VIC: New wellbeing package for health heroes
The Victorian Government has released a healthcare worker wellbeing package to support healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly to care for the Victorian community during the coronavirus pandemic. The Government established the Healthcare Worker Infection Prevention and Wellbeing Taskforce in August to help support and protect healthcare workers as they continue to support and protect us. Developed in consultation with hospitals, clinicians, peak bodies, unions and academics, the $9.8 million package complements additional measures to reduce healthcare worker infections and increase access to support, said Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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Hospitals
10 November
Ready to Go Home - Overcoming delays in leaving hospital for people with disability
National Disability Services and the WA Department of Health said: 'We are excited to release an Expression of Interest (EOI) for health consumers with disability to become part of the project co-design team, to assist us in better understanding the consumer experience and working with consumers to develop pathways and resources. We encourage you to share the EOI through your networks. This project continues to be of particular interest with hospital discharge for people with disability becoming an increasingly concerning issue. The project partners held a workshop in August to review the desired project outcomes. The Executive Steering Committee met in September providing leadership from across disability, health, consumer and community sectors.'
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Insurance
None this edition.
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Medicare
None this edition.
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Men's Health
None this edition.
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Mental Health
12 November
TAS: Delivering connected mental health and alcohol and drug services
The Tasmanian Government has a plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania with the 2020-21 Budget including a $12 million additional investment to deliver a well-integrated and flexible mental health and alcohol and other drugs service for the entire community, said Tasmanian Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Jeremy Rockliff. Some of the initiatives funded in the 2020-21 State Budget include:
- $4.9 million over two years to improve services under the Reform Agenda for the Alcohol and other Drugs Sector in Tasmania; and
- $4.1 million over two years to address priority areas in the Mental Health Reform Agenda.
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VIC: Putting the mental health of Victorians first
The Victorian Budget 2020/21 includes $868.6 million to ensure Victorians have the mental health support they need. This includes funding the rollout of the interim recommendations from the Royal Commission into Mental Health, including $492 million to deliver 120 mental health beds in Geelong, Epping, Sunshine and Melbourne. This is an addition to the 24 Hospital in the Home beds announced earlier this year bringing the total to 144. An additional $18.9 million is provided for 35 acute treatments beds for public mental health patients in private health services, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino.
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10 November
Government launches enhanced headspace in Busselton
Young people in Busselton and surrounds will now have easier access to mental health services with the opening of an expanded headspace satellite service. As part of the Australian Government's $111.3 million funding commitment to expanding the headspace network, additional ongoing funding has been provided to upgrade the service from an outpost to a permanent satellite service. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said young people have been affected significantly by the impacts of COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever.
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Forum to examine the vital role of occupational therapists in the delivery of mental health care
More than 250 people are expected to attend Occupational Therapy Australia's (OTA) Mental Health Forum, to be convened virtually on Monday, 16 November. Occupational therapists are key providers of mental health care, working as part of multi-disciplinary teams to help people regain the skills and confidence they need to participate in the activities of everyday life. OTA Chief Executive Officer, Sam Hunter, said 'those recovering from mental illness do not achieve that recovery in a counsellor's room. That may well be the beginning of the process, but recovery is ultimately achieved in the home, the workplace, the school or the shopping centre. That's where occupational therapy comes in.'
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TAS: Response to youth mental health needs more than words
A commitment to reform Tasmania's child and adolescent mental health service is welcome, and the government must follow through with a fully funded response. Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said a leaked draft report on the state of Tasmania's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) painted a damning picture of chronic under-resourcing and systemic failure. 'The draft report confirmed what we have long known - that the approach to service delivery in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services is deeply flawed,' said Tasmanian Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell.
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9 November
Sharp decline in mental health for young Australians
The Australia Institute said that the study co-author, Professor Nicholas Biddle from the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, said psychological distress among 18- to 24-year olds was 'worse than earlier in the year, and significantly worse than before the pandemic. Young Australians have been one of the groups to feel the full force of this pandemic, with thousands losing work and facing dwindling prospects in a battered economy and depleted labour market,' Professor Biddle said. 'When you combine this with the severe isolation and loneliness experienced by this group, particularly in Melbourne during the lockdown, all of this is really starting to take a toll on mental health.'
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NSW: Government launches landmark suicide monitoring system
The NSW Government has introduced a new suicide monitoring system which will provide up-to-date data for health and support services about the number of suicide deaths across the state. NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the system will deliver the Government timely access to information on location, age and gender. NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said that reforming the collection and management of suicide data is the result of significant collaboration between NSW Health, the Department of Communities and Justice, State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan and NSW Police.
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SA: Supporting South Australians through COVID recovery
An extra $15.1 million to support the mental health of South Australians through the COVID-19 pandemic is being provided in this year's Budget by the Marshall Liberal Government. South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Marshall Liberal Government is working hand-in-glove with the community to respond to the dual economic and health challenges presented by COVID-19. 'This year has presented unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, bushfires and drought, but we have responded by ensuring there is more support and resources available than ever before to support our community,' Minister Wade said.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals
12 November
Rise 2.0 Liquid Cialis 30ml bottles pose a serious risk
Rise 2.0 Liquid Cialis 30ml bottles pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has tested a 30ml bottle labelled Rise 2.0 Liquid Cialis and found that: the product contained the undeclared substance tadalafil. Consumers are advised that tadalafil is a prescription-only (S4) medicine in Australia.
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Grain German Shepherd tablets pose a serious risk
Grain German Shepherd tablets pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken. The TGA has tested a product labelled Grain German Shepherd tablets and found that: the tablets contain the undeclared substances sildenafil and paracetamol. Consumers are advised that sildenafilis a prescription-only (S4) medicine in Australia.
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11 November
Australians need fast forward button for access to cancer medicines
Approximately 800 more cancer patients could be treated with immuno-oncology medicines per year if reimbursement process timelines were accelerated, reveals research released at the 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. Health modelling has further revealed that an expedited Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) reimbursement process - 9 months from first submission to PBS listing - could lead to an increase in patient life years by approximately 19 per cent; and an increase in patients' progression-free survival (where the cancer does not progress any further in the body) by 22 per cent, said MSD.
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10 November
Sponsors advised of transition to eCTD-only
The TGA will begin a staged transition to Electronic Common Technical Document-only (eCTD-only) for all prescription medicines. This transition will see Australia adopt best practice standards that are currently applied across the world. Providing benefits for both sponsors and regulators, the use of eCTD will enhance lifecycle management and navigation ability, making this an effective solution for the compilation, tracking and evaluation of dossiers.
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9 November
'Messages matter: A spotlight on influenza vaccination campaigns'
Changing the Conversation on Adult Vaccination is a ground-breaking study conducted by the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) on the status of influenza campaigns focused on the most vulnerable members of the population - older adults and those with underlying chronic conditions. View full 10 country report, click here. The IFA is pleased to launch the summary report which sets the scene for detailed country reports that unpack the campaign content and specificity, and channels used to send public health messages to target populations in ten countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States) on the importance of adult influenza vaccination.
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Research
11 November
COVID-19 community transmission 'very limited' in Sydney's first wave
Associate Professor Heather Gidding, from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at UNSW Sydney, analysed data from de-identified residual blood specimens from public and private laboratories and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood collected between April and June 2020, sampled by geographic location across 10-year age groups. Their aim was to estimate SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody seroprevalence among three subpopulations in Sydney (20-39-year-old women undergoing antenatal screening, 20-69-year-old plasmapheresis blood donors, and people of all ages having blood tests at selected diagnostic pathology services-general pathology) following the first epidemic wave of COVID-19 in Australia, said the Medical Journal of Australia.
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Crook, sick or unwell? CSIRO tech helps with healthcare lingo
An Australian innovation is set to help healthcare systems speak the same language across the United Kingdom and Ireland, with Australia's national science agency CSIRO and DXC Technology in the UK collaborating to provide software to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Healthcare organisations often use different software and different words, or 'terminologies', to record health information: what one doctor records in their system as a 'chest infection', for example, might be recorded as 'upper respiratory infection' in another, so the two systems might not be able to match the information up.
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9 November
'Medically actionable' genetic results: Ethical challenges for researchers
Australian medical research studies now generate genetic information on thousands of participants, but not all participants are receiving genetic results, even when they are medically actionable, due to a range of ethical and practical challenges, according to the authors of an Ethics and Law article published online by the Medical Journal of Australia. 'Some genetic results, present in a small portion of participants (< 5%), are considered medically actionable, meaning they are associated with increased risk of adult-onset diseases, where effective risk management, prevention or treatment exists,' wrote the authors, led by Jane Tiller, an Ethical, Legal and Social Advisor in Public Health Genomics at Monash University.
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MSD supports Australian Cancer Futures Framework
MSD supports the call for an Australian Cancer Futures Framework, proposed the 2020 virtual CanForum conference run by the National Oncology Alliance (NOA) . In the launch of their report, Vision 20-30, the NOA identified the need for a future framework in Australia that will ensure cancer patients' needs will be met equally and optimally over the next ten years. This transformative decade will be driven by rapid technological and scientific advances in cancer, which will challenge the current structure of the Australian health system. The report calls for improvements in fundamental aspects of the health system to ensure improvements in cancer care are shared across all cancer types.
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National Oncology Alliance targets a 90% survival rate for all Australian cancer patients by 2030
The National Oncology Alliance (NOA), an alliance of patients, patient groups, clinicians, and the healthcare industry, is calling on the Government and the community to support the development of an Australian Cancer Futures Framework which puts patients at the centre of cancer care over the coming decade and beyond. 'Our understanding of cancer and how to treat it is changing at an astonishing rate. There is real hope that over the next decade cancer will transform from a death sentence to a chronic disease that allows patients to live long productive lives,' said Mr Richard Vines, Chief Executive of Rare Cancers Australia and Founder of the Alliance.
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COVID-19 and mental health: Are we really all in it together?
The Medical Journal of Australia said: 'When it comes to COVID-19 and its effect on the mental health of Australians, we may all be in this together but some are further in than others, according to the one of the nation's leading mental health practitioners and researchers. Professor Patrick McGorry AO, is Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, and is Executive Director of Orygen, the National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health. In an editorial published online by the Medical Journal of Australia, Professor McGorry wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on mental health will be deeper and more sustained than in other disasters. The initial mental health impact has been severe, and worse may be coming. Scientific models predicted that Australia would face a second curve of mental ill health and suicide, and this has now clearly arrived.'
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Inflammatory bowel disease: Cheaper drugs prove safe and clinically effective
Switching patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from originator to biosimilar infliximab is not only safe and effective, but could also result in significant savings to both patients and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, according to research published online by the Medical Journal of Australia. Infliximab and other agents are clinically effective for a range of chronic disease indications, including moderate to severe IBD, however they are expensive, accounting for as much as 64% of IBD-related health care costs, wrote the authors, led by Dr Craig Haifer, a gastroenterologist at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney and the University of Sydney.
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'Medically actionable' genetic results: Ethical challenges for researchers
Australian medical research studies now generate genetic information on thousands of participants, but not all participants are receiving genetic results, even when they are medically actionable, due to a range of ethical and practical challenges, according to the authors of an Ethics and Law article published online by the Medical Journal of Australia. 'Some genetic results, present in a small portion of participants (< 5%), are considered medically actionable, meaning they are associated with increased risk of adult-onset diseases, where effective risk management, prevention or treatment exists,' wrote the authors, led by Jane Tiller, an Ethical, Legal and Social Advisor in Public Health Genomics at Monash University.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
13 November
Cooma's new $3.25 million clinical training facility open for business
A new clinical training facility at the Cooma Hospital will expand healthcare access for residents across the region following its official opening. The training facility will support medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health students to learn directly from health professionals and pursue their careers in Cooma. Minister for Health Greg Hunt, Minister for Regional Health, Mark Coulton and Senator Jim Molan said the new training facility will ensure people in Cooma and the surrounding region have better access to healthcare in their community, where and when they need it.
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WA: Country health command centre marks its first year
One year on from its official launch, the WA Country Health Service's Command Centre has enabled specialist level care on country for more than 21,000 Western Australians living in regional WA. The 24/7 virtual clinical hub is staffed by more than 140 doctors and nurses who utilise state-of- the-art videoconferencing technology to support country clinicians in the care of their patients across emergency, inpatient and mental health care, said WA Minister for Health Roger Cook.
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11 November
Making community health training available to remote Indigenous communities during COVID-19
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, community health training in remote Indigenous communities has been able to continue thanks to a partnership between the Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) and Medibank. Menzies's Certificate II in Community Health Research empowers Indigenous people to help deliver health promotion and research in their own communities, providing new employment opportunities and greater health literacy, but the pandemic shutdown impacted the face-to-face, personalised delivery method.
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9 November
NSW: $7.5 million for Dubbo drug and alcohol rehab
Dubbo will receive a $7.5 million boost to drug and alcohol treatment services, including a purpose-built facility for withdrawal management and residential rehabilitation. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was delivering on its commitment to provide the Dubbo community with the new centre. 'This $7.5 million investment in drug and alcohol treatment for Dubbo is on top of a significant investment in the 2020-2021 Budget to tackle the challenges of addiction across this state,' Mr Perrottet said. 'The devastation can have a ripple effect throughout the community and we want to break that cycle.'
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WA: Ross River virus risk expands from South West to the Midwest and Gascoyne
The WA Department of Health is urging residents and travellers throughout Western Australia (WA), to take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites over the coming months, to prevent mosquito-borne disease transmission. The warning follows ongoing Ross River virus (RRV) detections in mosquitoes and a recent increase in the number of human cases of RRV disease notified to the Department of Health, indicating the virus is very active in the environment. The current risk of acquiring RRV is highest in the South West of WA, and along the coastal Midwest and Gascoyne regions, from Jurien Bay to Denham.
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Women's Health
12 November
Abortion and safe access zone wins in South Australia and Western Australia
South Australia and Western Australia, the only two Australian states yet to modernise their abortion laws by enacting safe access zones, took crucial steps to sure up reproductive rights. Safe access zones create protective areas around abortion services, so that intimidating and harassing behaviour targeted at patients and staff accessing the clinic is prohibited. Human Rights Law Centre's Senior Lawyer, Monique Hurley: 'It is terrific to see the South Australian Parliament support safe access zones because, for far too long, people have had to run a gauntlet of abuse just to see their doctor.'
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Abortion to birth unjustified
Adelaide researcher, Dr Prudence Flowers in her preliminary findings suggests that the majority of abortions after 23 weeks' gestation are due to foetal abnormalities or the mother having experienced sexual abuse, abusive relationships, addiction or homelessness. Wendy Francis, the Australian Christian Lobby's spokeswoman for women and children said: 'Dr Flowers missed the most relevant evidence, namely that in Victoria since abortion to birth was legalised, there has been an average of about 65 late-term abortions a year purely for maternal psycho-social reasons. These children could have lived if given a chance. Dr Flowers has not even considered this evidence.'
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7 November
NSW: Budget helps women with pregnancy disease
Women experiencing the debilitating pregnancy disease hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) will get more in-home care and support in the 2020-21 NSW Budget. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said $17 million will be invested in education and research into the disease, as well as offering women and their families more practical support. 'The Duchess of Cambridge has done much to shine a light on this debilitating disease which saw her hospitalised with severe morning sickness,' Mr Perrottet said. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said in extreme cases HG can result in pregnancy loss or termination by women, and some women can become depressed and feel suicidal.
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Transcripts
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
13 NOV: Transcript of Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Australian vaccination rates, Queensland/NSW border closure
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
12 NOV: Transcript of Interview with Karl Stefanovic & Allison Langdon, Today Show
Subjects: Coronavirus, Australian economy, Consumer confidence, Vaccine, International borders, JobMaker
Medibank
12 NOV: Transcript of Chairman Mike Wilkins' address to Annual General Meeting
Subjects: FY21 outlook, Health, Economy, Emergency response plan, Mental Health Support, COVID-19, Elective surgery, Modern Slavery, Climate change
Minister for Health Greg Hunt, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
11 NOV: Transcript of Doorstop Interview with Head of TGA, Professor John Skerritt, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19, Coronavirus, Vaccine development, mRNA vaccine, Cold chain distribution network
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
09 NOV: Transcript of Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB
Subjects: COVID-19, Community transmission, Production of AstraZeneca vaccine, US Election result, US President Elect, Vaccine timeline, Priority access
Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government
09 NOV: Transcript of Interview with Georgia Roberts, ABC Breakfast Eyre Peninsula
Subjects: Health workforce challenges, Rural SA, Rural Doctors Association South Australia, Rural doctors shortage
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Reports
Notification of proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard in relation to azo dyes (derivatives by diazotisation)
Department of Health
The change to the Poisons Standard entry for 'Azo dyes that are derivatives by diazotisation of any of the following substances' by the inclusion of the two substances, will not increase the risk from the use of products containing these substances. On the contrary, as the proposed amendment seeks to explicitly include these substances under the current Schedule 7 entry, as derivatives of these substances are considered to be genotoxic and/or carcinogenic, the risk from these substances being used in products as colouring agents or dyes is reduced.
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Cemiplimab
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This AusPAR describes the application by Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to register Libtayo (cemiplimab) 350 mg concentrate for solution for infusion for the following proposed indication: Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a malignant proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes with invasion of the dermis and is distinguished from non-invasive precursor lesions such as actinic keratosis.
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Melatonin
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This AusPAR describes the application by RAD Data Australia Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to register Slenyto melatonin 1 mg and 5 mg prolonged release tablets for the following extension of indication: Slenyto is indicated for the treatment of insomnia in children and adolescents aged 2-18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and / or Smith-Magenis syndrome, where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient. Melatonin assists the thalamus in opening the 'sleep gate' for non-rapid eye movements (NREMs) and promotes spindle formation. Thus, melatonin has a modulatory influence on sleep onset and maintenance.
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Isatuximab
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder of plasma cells characterised by uncontrolled and progressive proliferation of a plasma cell clone. The proliferation of myeloma cells causes displacement of normal bone marrow hematopoietic precursors and the overproduction of monoclonal antibodies. Isatuximab binds selectively to CD38 membrane protein and leads to the death of CD38 expressing tumour cells by acting through immunoglobulin G (IgG) fragment crystalline (Fc)-dependent mechanisms including antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC).
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Inqovi 35/100
Department of Health
The Australian Prescription Medicine Decision Summary provides a short overview of the TGA's evaluation process leading to the registration of a new prescription medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). More in-depth information about the evaluation will be available in the Australian Public Assessment Report (AusPAR) for a particular prescription medicine, which can be found on the AusPAR search page once published.
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Novel sources of data for monitoring food and nutrition
Department of Health
The production of the foods and beverages people consume also impacts health. Food production is a major contributor to global environmental changes, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and freshwater use, which then impact the food system and human health, via reduced food security, diminished nutrient content of certain crops, and exacerbated famine, among other impacts (Willett et al. 2019). Given the roles food and nutrition play in health, their monitoring is of significant public health importance-it can provide information for planning, evaluating and improving policies, programs and services, with the ultimate aim of improving nutrition-related health.
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NDIS Quarterly Report to disability ministers
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The continued priority of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) through the September 2020 quarter was supporting participants, providers, staff and partners during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Victoria. Collaboration across Government (including with the Department of Social Services (DSS), the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission), Services Australia, and State and Territory governments) has continued to ensure that essential supports are still provided to participants. The number of NDIS participants and NDIS workforce testing positive to COVID-19 has been reported daily by Minister Stuart Robert.
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Antenatal care use and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their babies 2016-2017
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
Timely and frequent antenatal care is key to improving health outcomes for both mothers and babies. This report explores the factors associated with antenatal care use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers, and how these may relate to baby outcomes-including how this varies spatially across the Indigenous Regions of Australia.
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Patient experiences in Australia by small geographic areas in 2018-19
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
This web update provides local-level information on people's experiences with the health care system. Good patient experiences are an important component of quality health care, along with clinical effectiveness and patient safety. More than 20 self-reported measures are included, such as information on health status, how many times people visited GPs, if they saw a dentist or other health practitioner, whether their GP listened to them and if they delayed filling a prescription due to cost. While most Australians rate their health positively, their experiences with the health care system can vary depending on where they live.
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The evolving role of real-world evidence in Australia
Medicines Australia
Real-world evidence (RWE) is a concept that has been long-present in healthcare industry; research leveraging observational registries and claims databases has been commonplace for several years. However, the concept has gained considerable momentum within the last decade, as technology has facilitated exponential growth in real world data (RWD) generation, and as payer and regulator needs have evolved.
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An Australia-China strategy for cooperation on recovery and reconstruction after COVID-19
Australian National University
The foundations for coordinated regional policy action in Asia were laid at an ASEAN+3 summit on 14 April that included leaders from Southeast Asia, China, Japan and South Korea, and committed to health and economic policy coordination. China joined Indonesia and the ASEAN countries, together with Japan and South Korea in that initiative. With its large economic role in Asia and as it emerges from the pandemic before others, China now has an important contribution to make in working with key neighbours such as Australia, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia in building on that initiative to meet the ongoing challenges posed by the virus.
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Hansards
Federal
12 NOV 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Strengthening Banning Orders) Bill 2020 - Second Reading, Third Reading
12 NOV 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - Health Insurance Amendment (Administration) Bill 2020 - Second Reading, Third Reading
12 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Bills - National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Strengthening Banning Orders) Bill 2020 - Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2020 - Returned from Senate
12 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Bills - Health Insurance Amendment (Administration) Bill 2020 - Services Australia Governance Amendment Bill 2020 - Returned from Senate
12 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccine
12 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - COVID-19: Health
11 NOV 2020: SENATE HANSARD: BIlls - National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Strengthening Banning Orders) Bill 2020 - Second Reading
11 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccines
11 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - National Disability Insurance Scheme
11 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Australian Disability Enterprises
10 NOV 2020: REPS NOTICE PAPER: Questions In Writing - 0442-0443 Ms Sharkie: Ministers Listed Below - When will Fed Govt release Productivity Commission's report into mental health announced in November 2018 & presented to Fed Govt on 30 June 2020
10 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19, Vaccine
10 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Bills - Health Insurance Amendment (Administration) Bill 2020 - Second Reading, Third Reading
09 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Statements by Members - Health Care
09 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - COVID-19: Mental Health
09 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Private Members' Business - Tasmanian Health System
09 NOV 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Statements by Members - COVID-19: Chief Health Officers
09 NOV 2020: JOINT COMMITTEE HANSARD: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works - Department of Health fitout of new leased premises, Fairbairn Business Park, Canberra - Canberra - 30 OCT 2020
09 NOV 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Aged Care
NSW
11 NOV 2020: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment Debate - Unplanned Pregnancies
Tasmania
27 OCT 2020: TAS COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - End- of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 - In Committee, Debate Adjourned
Victoria
11 NOV 2020: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2020 - Council's Agreement
11 NOV 2020: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions without notice and ministers statements - Melbourne Medically Supervised Injecting Facility
11 NOV 2020: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment Bill 2020 - Statement of compatibility, Second reading
Western Australia
11 NOV 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Hospitals - Emergency Departments - Investment
11 NOV 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Statement by Minister for Health - International Pathology Day
11 NOV 2020: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Statement - Education - Students with Disability
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
Federal
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01411
In accordance with the MRFF Act, the Australian Government must take into account the Priorities that are in force at the time of making disbursements from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The Advisory Board has constructed the Priorities as a document that should be read and considered in conjunction with the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 (the Strategy), also required by the Act, as there is alignment with the identified strategic platforms.
Explanatory Statement
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
None this edition.
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Consolidated Legislation
National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits-early supply) Instrument 2015
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C01020
PB 120 of 2015 Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits - early supply) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 9).
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Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2015
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C01019
Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 7) 2020.
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Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C01018
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Regulations 2020.
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Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Rules 2011
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C01017
Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 7) 2020.
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National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Determination 2010 (PB 109 of 2010)
Consolidated Legislative Instrument - F2020C01015
PB 109 of 2010 Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 9) (PB 110 of 2020).
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New Bills
Federal
Aged Care Amendment (Aged Care Recipient Classification) Bill 2020 - Senate referred to committee 12/11
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 1) Bill 2020 - (Reps passed) Senate intro 9/11, Senate referred to committee 12/11
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 2) Bill 2020 - Senate referred to committee 12/11
Health Insurance Amendment (Administration) Bill 2020 - Reps 2R debate 10/11, Reps passed 10/11, Senate intro 10/11, Senate 2R debate 12/11, Senate passed 12/11, awaiting assent
Health Insurance Amendment (Compliance Administration) Bill 2020 - Senate referred to committee 12/11
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Strengthening Banning Orders) Bill 2020 - (Reps passed) Senate intro 9/11, Senate 2R debate 11/11, Senate 2R debate 12/11, Senate passed 12/11, awaiting assent
NSW
Mandatory Disease Testing Bill 2020 - LA Notice of Motion 10/11, LA intro, 1R, 2R 11/11
South Australia
Health Care (Safe Access) Amendment Bill 2020 - (LA passed) LC 2R debate, in committee, passed, LA Final Stages 11/11, awaiting assent
Victoria
Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment Bill 2020 - LA intro, 1R 10/11, LA 2R 11/11
Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2020 - (LA passed with amendments) LC 2R debate, passed 10/11, awaiting assent
Western Australia
Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2020 - LA 2R debate 10/11, LA 2R debate, passed 11/11
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New Acts
None this edition.
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