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Friday 28 May 2021

 

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)

28 May

Royal flying doctor takes off to protect remote Aussies from COVID-19
From Cape York to Kangaroo Island, to Wilcannia to Alice Springs, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is in the air delivering safe and effective vaccines to remote Australian communities. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack joined Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton to visit the RFDS base in Dubbo to announce a significant national partnership. 'From the outset of this pandemic, the RFDS has provided retrievals, evacuations, swab transfers, and fly-in GP respiratory clinics, protecting the lives of people living and working in the most remote corners of the country,' Minister Coulton said.
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Facts on the Vax for Australia's First Peoples affected by cancer
Every year, approximately 1,400 Indigenous Australians are diagnosed with cancer, said Cancer Australia. As part of the Australian Government's COVID-19 vaccine national roll-out strategy, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer are now eligible to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare workers, are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine now.
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27 May

More GPs to join the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The role of General Practices in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is set to expand, with up to 900 additional general practices to come on board to administer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as part of a targeted expansion to ensure more points of presence are available across the country. These new practices will be brought into the program from mid-June to ensure equitable and timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 50 and above. More than 4,600 primary care vaccination sites joined the rollout between March and April 2021 - including approximately 4,400 general practices, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
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Greater Melbourne declared a hotspot for Commonwealth support
The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, has declared the Greater Melbourne area a COVID-19 hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support for 7 days. Victoria have announced the occurrence of 26 cases in the Greater Melbourne in the past four days. Whole genome sequencing has confirmed cases to have been infected with the B.1.617.1 variant of concern, said the Department of Health. B.1.617.1 is believed to have a higher rate of transmission, resulting in the need for more stringent public health measures to control a community outbreak if it becomes established.
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COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report - 27-05-2021
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) closely monitors suspected side effects (also known as adverse events) from the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Most of the adverse events reported to the TGA are expected side effects seen with vaccines generally. The most frequently reported suspected side effects associated with Comirnaty (Pfizer) and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines continue to be events that were seen in the clinical trials, and are commonly experienced with vaccines generally. Nine additional cases of blood clots with low blood platelets have been assessed as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) likely to be linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded no new locally acquired and no new overseas-acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm; meaning the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic remains at 5,387. There were 15,379 tests reported to 8pm, compared with the previous day's total of 16,698. NSW has reached a major milestone in its fight against COVID-19, with more than six million tests conducted since the start of the pandemic, said the NSW Department of Health.
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NSW: Public health alert - stay at home order
Anyone travelling to NSW who has been in Victoria must follow the stay-at-home measures that will apply in Victoria, which were announced by the Victorian Government, said the NSW Department of Health. This means anyone arriving in NSW who has been in Victoria must remain at their home or place of residence in NSW for the seven-day duration of the Victorian measures. People will only be permitted to leave their places of residence for limited reasons, including shopping for essential items, medical care, caregiving, outdoor exercise, and essential work or education, if you cannot do it from home.
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NT: Positive COVID-19 Case Update
One new COVID-19 case has been recorded in the Northern Territory in the past 24 hours, announced the NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet. A 25-year-old male, who arrived on the repatriation flight from Istanbul on 24 May 2021 has tested positive for COVID-19. He is asymptomatic and is under the care of the NT Health at the NT Centre for National Resilience.
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QLD: Statement regarding Victoria cases
Following the announcement of multiple cases of COVID-19 in Victoria, Queensland is declaring all of Victoria a hotspot from 1am, Friday 28 May 2021. Anyone who has been in Victoria in the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter Queensland unless they are a returning Queensland resident, except for a limited range of people who can enter for an essential purpose. Anyone who is allowed to enter Queensland will be required to go into 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine in Brisbane, said the Queensland Department of Health.
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SA: Show to go on at Wayville vaccination clinic
South Australians can continue to roll up their sleeves for the COVID-19 vaccine at the Wayville Showground clinic during this year's iconic Royal Adelaide Show. SA Premier Steven Marshall confirmed that the Wayville mass vaccination clinic will continue to operate throughout the Royal Adelaide Show period to provide a convenient way for South Australians to access the vaccine. 'Giving all South Australians access to the COVID-19 vaccine is how we are keeping our state safe and strong in response to the pandemic,' said Premier Marshall.
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SA: COVID-19 Update 27 May 2021
There have been no new cases of COVID-19. There have been a total of 752 cases notified in South Australia. SA Health is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Victoria with confirmed cases of COVID-19 identified in the community.
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TAS: Update on Victorian border restrictions
The health and safety of Tasmanians remains the Tasmanian Government number one priority as it continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. In response to the escalating situation in Victoria, Tasmania's Public Health Service has declared all of Victoria a high-risk area. 'This means you now cannot travel to Tasmania if you have spent time in Victoria in the previous 14 days, unless you are approved as an Essential Traveller by the Deputy State Controller,' said Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein.
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VIC: Fast-tracking Victoria's MRNA manufacturing capability
Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford said that Victoria's future supply of coronavirus vaccines will be fast-tracked, with a new body charged with building the state's mRNA manufacturing capability. mRNA Victoria will lead mRNA manufacturing in the state and deliver on the Government's $50 million investment in securing local supply. The new body will be led by Michael Kapel, who has been appointed the inaugural CEO and will oversee the establishment of commercial-scale mRNA manufacturing capability in Victoria within the next 12 months. Mr Kapel is the former Commissioner to the Americas for the Government of Victoria, where he oversaw a network of trade and investment offices across the United States, Canada and South America.
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VIC: Vaccine roll out to expand to all Victorians 40 and over
Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley said that the Commonwealth's COVID-19 vaccination program will again expand in Victoria to include everyone aged 40 years and over. More than half of all Victorians will be eligible to receive either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines - helping protect themselves, their loved ones and the whole community. Victorians aged 40-49 years will be able to access to the Pfizer vaccine at state run vaccination sites, in line with advice from ATAGI. People aged 40-49 years receiving the Pfizer vaccine must book an appointment by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 - and can do so now - this is essential as not all vaccination centres will have the Pfizer vaccine available.
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WA: Hard border with Victoria returns
Following updated health advice related to the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria, Western Australia will strengthen its border controls to reduce the risk of the virus coming into the WA community. Victoria will now transition from a 'very low risk' State to a 'medium risk' State under a controlled interstate border, effective from 10am May 27, said WA Premier Mark McGowan.
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WA: Quarantine Advisory Panel appointed
WA Minister for Health Roger Cook has announced the appointment of a Quarantine Advisory Panel (QAP) to provide strategic oversight of Western Australia's hotel quarantine system. The panel will be led by independent chairperson Sue Ash who has previously been the chief executive officer of Uniting Care West, West Australian Council of Social Services, Care Options and Wanslea, and is recognised as a leader in advocacy on behalf of the community services sector. She is also a former deputy chairperson of the State Emergency Management Committee.
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WA: COVID-19 update 27 May 2021
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has confirmed two new cases of TTS (thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome) in persons who were vaccinated in WA are likely associated with AstraZeneca vaccination. The WA Department of Health is working closely with counterparts in the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to investigate the cases. One is a woman, aged in her early 50s, who is currently in a stable condition at a Perth metropolitan hospital. The second is a male in his 70s, also from the Perth metropolitan area, who is recovering at home.
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26 May

Long term health consequences of COVID-19: can value based health care provide a way forward
'Australia has succeeded in limiting and largely controlling the spread of COVID-19 and we must now shift our focus to responding to the long term health consequences of COVID,' said Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association Chief Executive Adj Prof Alison Verhoeven. An issues brief, Managing the long term health consequences of COVID-19 in Australia, published by the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association's (AHHA) Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research examines how a value-based health care approach can support Australia's response to the long term health consequences of COVID-19.
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1 in 10 palliative care-related services provided at home
The number of Medicare-subsidised palliative care services received by Australians in their own home almost doubled between 2015-16 and 2019-20, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report, Palliative care services in Australia, shows home visits for palliative care specialist services increased by an average of 18% annually over the 5-year period, with a total of 2,240 patients receiving home visits in 2019-20. However, most palliative care services continue to be received in a hospital or surgery, with these services increasing by 12% over the same 5-year period.
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Majorities of unvaccinated adults in most of 15 countries would get a vaccine if they could
A new Ipsos survey of nearly 10,000 unvaccinated adults in 15 countries conducted in partnership with the World Economic Forum finds that vaccine hesitancy tends to be more prevalent among those with lower incomes or lower levels of education, younger generations and/or females. Majorities in all but two of the countries surveyed intend to get a COVID- 19 vaccine when it will be available to them. However, the study indicates that vaccination intent has been declining since February - not only in the United States and the United Kingdom where about half of all adults have already received at least one dose, but also in countries, where fewer vaccination campaigns have been much slower, such as Australia and South Korea.
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The Salvation Army has released a national research report
The Salvation Army Australia said that: 'People who accessed our Emergency Relief services were invited to participate and share their views and experiences via an online survey. The findings provide valuable insights and understanding of the effects of COVID-19 for our clients and the hardships people faced living on restricted incomes. The report highlights how most respondents struggled to manage on limited incomes and battled to find work. It emphasises the financial stress and difficulties people experienced to afford their rent and basic essentials, such as household bills and enough food to eat for themselves and their families.'
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NSW: Public Health Alert - Melbourne cases
NSW Health is advising people in NSW to postpone non-urgent travel to Greater Melbourne and Bendigo, as Victorian health authorities continue to investigate an outbreak of COVID-19. People with COVID-19 have visited a number of venues in Greater Melbourne and in and near Bendigo while infectious. This includes the Melbourne Cricket Ground and a number of hospitality venues. People currently in NSW who have been in Victoria since 12 May, please check the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services website regularly to review venues of concern, and if so, immediately follow the relevant public health advice.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. Two overseas-acquired cases were reported in the same period, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,387. There were 16,698 tests reported to 8pm, compared with the previous day's total of 7,262. NSW Health administered its highest-ever number of vaccines in one day, giving 13,200 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm, including 5,220 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
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NSW: Public Health Alert - new event of concern
NSW Health can advise of an event of concern which has been identified as part of ongoing investigations into a COVID-19 case reported in Victoria. NSW Health is urgently contacting people from a NSW sporting club based in Tooleybuc, in the western Riverina region of NSW, who attended a sporting event in Cohuna, Victoria on Saturday 22 May from 12 to 5pm. This event was attended by a confirmed case of COVID-19. Anyone who attended is requested to immediately self-isolate and await further advice from NSW Health.
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NT: Territory COVID-19 Vaccinations Surpass 40,000
The Department of Health said that More than 42,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered in the Territory, with over 10,000 Territorians now fully vaccinated. The Territory's vaccination rollout is tracking well, with almost one in six people over the age of 16 having had a first dose, and 5.5% now fully vaccinated. There are more than 30 locations across the Territory for people to book in and receive their vaccine - either at their GPs, with ACCHO partners and in the NTG clinics. Under the Modified Monash scale of remoteness, most of the Northern Territory, specifically all regions outside of the Darwin and rural areas, are eligible for a whole-of-community vaccination approach.
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VIC: Updated CHO Directions for Victoria
The Chief Health Officer has revoked all existing directions in relation to Victoria and has issued updated testing and quarantine directions. The re-issuing of Chief Health Officer Directions for Victoria is off the back of an emerging cluster of nine cases, and further investigations from Victorian health authorities as to the origin of cases. The Victorian Department of Health has a three tier, risk-based system for exposure sites. Additionally, anyone who has arrived into the Northern Territory from Greater Melbourne since 6 May 2021 and is showing any symptoms of COVID-19 must self-isolate, get a test within 72 hours, and remain in self-quarantine until a negative test is returned.
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25 May

ACT: Updated travel advice for Victoria
The ACT Department of Health said that due to the evolving situation in Victoria, the ACT Government has updated travel advice for anyone entering or returning to the ACT from Greater Melbourne. New travel requirements for people who have been in Greater Melbourne will come into place from 6.00pm on 25 May 2021. These requirements mean that if you are already in the ACT and have been in Greater Melbourne in the last 14 days, you must complete an online declaration form within 24 hours of the form becoming available. If you are intending to travel to the ACT and have been in Greater Melbourne in the last 14 days, you must complete the online declaration form within the 24 hours prior to travelling.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
Two overseas-acquired cases were reported in the same period, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,385. There were 7,262 tests reported to 8pm, compared with the previous day's total of 9,659. NSW Health has administered its highest-ever number of vaccines in one day, with 12,524 vaccines, including 5,337 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park. The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 1,111,814, with 357,917 doses administered by NSW Health.
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VIC: Additional COVID-Safe measures to keep Victorians safe
As public health officials work to pinpoint the source of these latest cases, additional COVID-Safe measures will be put in place across Greater Melbourne to help keep Victorians safe. On the advice of public health experts, private gatherings in the home will be limited to five visitors per day, public gatherings will be limited to 30 people and face masks will need to be worn indoors, unless an exemption applies. The face mask requirement applies everyone aged 12 years and older, said Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino and Victorian Minister Foley.
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24 May

NSW: Mass vaccination centre now administering AstraZeneca vaccine
The mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park has started to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine, providing a major boost to the vaccine rollout in NSW as the state surges past a million people protected. The mass vaccination centre joins the other 26 NSW Health hubs that are giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to over 50s, including 17 in regional and rural NSW. There are also more than 100 outreach locations that NSW Health vaccination clinics visit, primarily in rural and regional communities, to ensure people in these locations have access to a COVID-19 vaccination, said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard.
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QLD: Community hubs aid vaccine rollout
The Queensland Government will open 14 Community-Based Vaccination hubs by the end of July helping to make the COVID vaccine rollout easier. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the centres will be established to coincide with increased vaccine supply announced by the Federal Government. Members of the general public aged 40-49 who may want to receive a COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination will be able to register for vaccination. Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath said the community hubs would assist Queensland's recalibrated rollout.
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QLD: Quarantine direction triggered for Victorian venues
Four new cases were confirmed in Melbourne's northern suburbs and Victoria's Department of Health has begun publishing exposure sites. Anyone in Queensland who has been to one of these declared COVID-19 exposure sites in Victoria during the risk period specified is automatically required to quarantine, said the Queensland Department of Health. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the Interstate Exposure Venues Direction would apply to people in Queensland who had been to any of these locations.
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NT: COVID-19 Update: Testing and Quarantine Directions for Victoria
The Northern Territory Acting Chief Health Officer has declared quarantine and testing directions for people who have been to a number of COVID-19 public exposure sites in Victoria. The Victorian Department of Health has a three tier, risk-based system for exposure sites. In line with the Victorian tier system, the Acting Chief Health Officer has made the following directions in relation to sites listed from 16 May onwards.
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SA: COVID-19 Update
The SA Department of Health said that: 'There has been one new case of COVID-19, reported from a medi-hotel. There have been a total of 749 cases notified in South Australia. Today's case is a man in his 30s who acquired his infection overseas and has been in a medi-hotel since his arrival. His case is considered an old infection and he has been added to our case numbers as he has not been counted overseas.' South Australia COVID-19 update:
- 1 new case
- 0 people currently in hospital
- 1 active COVID-19 case, overseas acquired
- 749 confirmed cases in total
- 744 people have recovered from COVID-19
- 4 COVID-19 related deaths
- 2,202 tests
- 1,343,558 tests in total
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WA: Health advice following confirmed Victorian COVID-19 cases
WA Health has issued advice for travellers who have recently returned from Victoria, as a public health alert is issued for parts of Melbourne. Victorian Department of Health and Human Service (DHSS) issued the alert following the detection of positive COVID-19 cases in the Melbourne's northern suburbs. WA's Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Paul Armstrong said anyone who had visited exposure sites (external site) in Victoria at the relevant times should get tested immediately for COVID-19 and quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure. 'All other travellers from Victoria since 6 May 2021 should remain vigilant,' he said. 'If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.'
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21 May

Australia to develop onshore mRNA manufacturing
The Government is strengthening national capacity against future pandemics and other diseases by developing a pathway to Australia's own sovereign manufacturing capability for mRNA vaccines. Continuing investments in high-tech medical manufacturing and future-proofing, the Government released an approach to market which will allow manufacturers to provide mRNA manufacturing capability in Australia to plan a partnership approach with the Government to bring forward this capability. As part of the approach to market, the Government has set out the requirements that will be need to be addressed by applicants, said Minister Hunt and Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter.
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Australia provides COVID-19 support to North East Indian Ocean neighbours
'Australia is working in partnership with our neighbours to minimise the impacts of COVID-19 on our region,' said Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja. 'We will support Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka in their response to increasing COVID-19 cases. We will provide $17.5 million in funding for emergency relief with support to be delivered by trusted on-the-ground partners. We will respond directly to the identified needs of our partners through the procurement of critical supplies, including oxygen and ventilators.'
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Aged Care

28 May

Most Australians support tax levy to improve aged care
The vast majority of Australians aren't confident in the country's aged care system, with more than one-in-10 saying they have no confidence at all, new analysis from the Australian National University (ANU) shows. The findings also show more than eight-in-10 Australians back a tax-based levy to improve aged care. The study of more than 3,200 Australians' attitudes to aged care found less than one-in-three Australians had confidence in the aged care system, compared to 45.4 per cent for the Federal Government in Canberra and 77 per cent for hospitals and the health system.
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27 May

First legislation in response to the Aged Care Royal Commission
The Australian Government has taken an important step to deliver its reforms to aged care by introducing the first legislation in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 1) Bill 2021 has been introduced into Parliament and makes necessary changes to current aged care legislation, ahead of the new aged care act planned for 2023, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck.
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Divide between state and federal aged care shows Morrison's failure on vaccine
The ACTU and the aged care unions are calling on the Government to immediately seek the assistance of, and provide the necessary funding to, state governments to complete the vaccine rollout in aged and disability care. The states are the only level of Government with proven success in administering the vaccine rollout. All residents and more than 90 per cent of staff in Victorian Government administered aged care have already been vaccinated, while 29 aged care facilities in Victoria which are regulated by the Federal Government are yet to have a single dose delivered to a resident or staff member.
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24 May

Increasing transparency of home care prices for senior Australians
The Government is responding to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety by increasing transparency and information on home care prices. For the first time information has been published relating to the median prices charged for common home care services to help people to make more informed decisions. Minister Hunt, said the information is a vital part of empowering senior Australians and their families to take greater control of their care. Minister Colbeck, said the information is compiled from aged care provider information as they are required to report their prices to the Government.
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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

24 May

Time to make prevention matter
The Consumers Health Forum (CHF) urges the Government to produce a preventive health strategy that reflects the wishes of most Australians for more action on population-wide pro-health measures, including curbs on the promotion and sale of junk food and sugary drinks. The results of a new survey by CHF's Australia's Health Panel find that an overwhelming majority (94%) agreed that Government has a responsibility to promote conditions that support individuals leading healthy lives. 'The survey shows there is widespread support for the Government to foster healthier living in Australia, whether it be through such measures as a sugar tax or incentives for healthier environments and support for public transport,' the CEO of CHF, Leanne Wells said.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

27 May

Review of Disability Employment Services to enhance support
The Government is committed to delivering effective supports to help people with disability into employment and is implementing improvements to the Disability Employment Services program. A review, prepared by Boston Consulting Group for the Department of Social Services, evaluated the DES program since the reforms in 2018 and put forward suggestions to enhance employment outcomes for people with disability. Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the review was one of many activities the department was undertaking to advise Government on how the investment in DES could be better tailored to meet the needs of job seekers with disability and employers looking to fill jobs.
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Victorian lockdown - information for disability service providers
Victoria will enter a seven-day lockdown from 11.59pm Thursday 27 May to 11.59pm Thursday, 3 June with vaccinations added as a reason to leave home. All disability workers engaged in supporting people with disability by providing essential care are recognised as authorised workers, said National Disability Services (NDS).
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WA: $3.44 million funding boost for disability advocacy
Western Australia Minister for Disability Services Don Punch has announced the successful proponents of a $3.44 million expression of interest process to deliver advocacy services that support people with disability in Western Australia. Disability advocacy enables people with disability to participate and be involved in the decision-making processes that safeguard and advance their human rights, as defined in the National Disability Advocacy Framework. Among the successful funding recipients are two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations providing services to Aboriginal people with disability and a mobile outreach service assisting people on the streets to access disability supports.
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24 May

Inaugural NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Graeme Head to step down at end of term
'I have been informed by Mr Graeme Head, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, that he will conclude his tenure at the end of his current statutory term, on 30 June 2021,' said Minister for the NDIS Linda Reynolds. 'Mr Head was appointed for a three-year term in July 2018. I thank Mr Head for his leadership of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) since commencing as the inaugural Commissioner. Mr Head brought his wealth of experience in policy, public administration and regulation across federal and state government to establish and lead the NDIS Commission through a critical phase of its establishment.'
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Disability services organisation in court
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has commenced legal action in the Federal Circuit Court against the operators of a disability services company in Perth. Facing court are Sunflower Care Services Pty Ltd, which provides care services to people with a disability in residential settings in Western Australia, and the company's sole owner and director, Joseph Karunarathna. The regulator investigated the company after an employee lodged a request for assistance. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Sunflower Care Services in November 2020 after forming a belief that the company had underpaid six employees, engaged as support workers, a total of $80,280.91 between 2015 and 2020.
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Segregated living situations for people with disability are a recipe for abuse and neglect
The Disability Royal Commission is holding a hearing on 'preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in disability services'. The 5-day hearing will focus on a case study involving the experiences of people with disability who live in a group home in western Sydney operated by a non-government disability service provider, Sunnyfield Disability Services. People with Disability Australia (PWDA) Chief Executive Officer Sebastian Zagarella has called for disability service providers to be held to account.
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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

25 May

Technology brings better health care to one of the most remote communities in the world
The Australian Digital Health Agency said that: 'In one of the most remote communities in the world, the Aboriginal community of Tjuntjuntjara in Western Australia, telehealth and the use of My Health Record have transformed health care delivery Over the last six months, the Agency has established eight delivery partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations to support the co-design and uptake of digital health, implemented a cultural competency training program for agency staff, implemented procurement protocols to support local Indigenous businesses, and commenced implementation of a My Health Record and digital health eLearning module with CPD accreditation for Aboriginal Health Practitioners.'
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Aussie legaltech startup goes global with COVID-19 diagnosis tool
An Australian startup demonstrated how its software, built to automate complex legal documents, can improve COVID-19 decision-making. Rulestar has converted a complex, static flowchart from an academic article into a dynamic online tool designed for anyone to use. Their automated COVID-19 diagnosis tool is made available online for demonstration purposes through the Rulestar website. The example aims to show that automation can not only increase the speed of decision making but also, and more importantly, improve the quality of decisions. Driven by this COVID-19 use case, the company is now taking its platform global and making it available for 'DIY' automation across all industries.
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Education and Training

None this edition.

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Funding

None this edition.

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Health Professionals

24 May

Medical students support greater climate action to protect the health of Australians
Medical students join young people across Australia in calling on the Federal Government to establish more ambitious and sustainable measures to address the climate crisis. At 16 rallies across the nation recently, medical students have demonstrated their desire for greater meaningful, sustainable mitigation of climate change. Delegations of medical students, organised by the Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) in collaboration with Doctors for the Environment Australia, have rallied across Australia to call for greater action to prevent climate change and to promote sustainability in the healthcare sector.
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Hospitals

27 May

TAS: LGH commitment amounts to pretty pictures and big questions about funding
Newly minted Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff must tell Tasmanians who will fund the much-touted $580 million redevelopment of the Launceston General Hospital and how he will staff additional health services. Acting Tasmanian Labor Leader Anita Dow said while the release of the LGH master plan was welcome as Tasmania's health crisis continues to escalate, without a definitive answer on funding and future staffing, it amounted to little more than pretty pictures.
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25 May

WA: PCH Emergency Department independent inquiry details finalised
Western Australia Minister for Health Roger Cook outlined the Terms of Reference for the Independent Inquiry into Perth Children's Hospital Emergency Department following the death of Aishwarya Aswath. The inquiry is established under Part 14 of the Health Services Act 2016 and will be undertaken by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). This is a separate entity established under the Commonwealth Government to lead and coordinate national improvements in the safety and quality of health care. The inquiry will focus on the specific factors which contributed to Aishwarya's death in the PCH ED on April 3, 2021, and more generally the approach to clinical governance, risk and adverse incidents at PCH.
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24 May

QLD: State Parliament lights up for Palliative Care Week
Queensland State Parliament will be lit up in navy and maroon to mark National Palliative Care Week (Sunday 23 May - Saturday 29 May). Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath said the week aimed to raise awareness about the importance of quality palliative care. 'Sadly, in our lifetime we will all know a friend, loved one or colleague that is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness,' the Minister said. 'It is important that these people can get the support they need when they need it, to manage their illness.'
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Insurance

26 May

Medibank partners with Velocity to reward members for taking out health insurance
Medibank and Velocity Frequent flyer announced a partnership that will reward Velocity members for taking out health insurance. The partnership will see eligible Velocity members earn up to 130,000 Velocity Points if they take up eligible hospital and extras cover with Medibank. 130,000 points could send a family of four on return flights from Melbourne to the Gold Coast or a single on return flights from Melbourne to Hamilton Island. All with plenty left over to discover more of Australia's best holiday destinations. Medibank's Acting Chief Customer Officer Fi Le Brocq said this partnership is a great way to reward Australians for investing in their health.
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

27 May

Promoting cancer screenings to improve early detection rates
The Australian Government is increasing its efforts to promote cancer screenings to support and improve outcomes for all Australians, including $9.7 million for a new National Bowel Cancer Screening Program awareness campaign, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt. The campaign will aim to increase the numbers of Australians taking their free bowel cancer test and will focus on men aged 50 to 59 years, people living in regional and remote Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.
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Mental Health

25 May

Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Inquiry into Independent Assessments
Mental Health Australia (MHA), Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA) and the Mental Health Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) are the leading organisations representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector. They are eager to ensure people with psychosocial disability are able to engage with fair and equitable eligibility processes to gain access to NDIS support. The attached policy paper proposes solutions to address these issues. Key amongst these recommendations is an offer to collaborate with the NDIA to build flexibility into the assessment process for people with psychosocial disability who will not benefit from Independent Assessments.
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NSW: Enhanced mental health strategy for NSW workplaces
SafeWork NSW's Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy has been relaunched, aiming to improve workplace mental health in response to significant shifts in ways of working due to COVID-19. NSW Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson said the re-designed strategy is focused on helping every type of business in NSW become mentally healthy. 'SafeWork has already done a fantastic job in supporting businesses implement mental health plans for their workplaces and have trained up more than 14,000 employees, but there's a lot more work to be done,' Mr Anderson said. In the last two years SafeWork NSW received more than 5,000 calls for assistance and information in relation to bullying and other psychosocial risks.
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NT: Holistic approach to mental health care vital
Deputy Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff said that: 'The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a $216 million plan to continue our transformation of Tasmania's mental health system, alcohol and drug treatment system and improve the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians. This is the largest ever boost for mental health. We are taking a best-practice approach to building a contemporary, integrated model of mental health care so people can get more holistic support in the right place and at the right time The Tasmanian Liberal Government is firmly focused on continuing to roll out our clear plan to transform and improve Tasmania's mental health system.'
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VIC: Veteran support overlooked in Budget
Victorian Shadow Minister for Health Georgie Crozier said that: 'Despite calls from the veteran community, Labor's latest State Budget did not commit to restoring crisis beds at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital for those who have served in our defence forces and are now battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With a significant focus on mental health and veteran suicide at the present time, this Budget was the chance for Labor to restore the beds it removed at the Heidelberg Hospital. A relatively small investment could have delivered a major outcome for our veteran and emergency services personnel, but instead they're waiting long and longer for the urgent care they need.'
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WA: $14.5 million boost for community and mental health services
Western Australia Minister for Finance Tony Buti said that the Government has delivered almost $15 million in funding increases and extended contracts for 12 months to ensure the continuation of important community and mental health services through the COVID-19 recovery. Contracts for eligible providers have been extended to June 30 next year to ensure critical and in-demand community services continue to support vulnerable Western Australians through the State's COVID-19 recovery and support jobs in the female-dominated sector. The $14.5 million funding boost for eligible contracts will assist with the sustainability of services and the impact of increases in award salary rates under the 2012 Fair Work Australia Equal Remuneration Order (ERO).
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22 May

Preparations for Royal Commission moves to next phase
'Preparation for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has moved into the next phase,' said Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester. 'Over the past month I have had discussions with hundreds of veterans, serving members and families across the nation. The feedback has been extremely positive and constructive and while opinions have been incredibly diverse, we all have one common goal - to prevent suicide within the Defence and veteran communities. More than 1400 pieces of written feedback on the themes that will inform the Terms of Reference have been received by DVA alone.'
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21 May

WHS ministers vote for huge step forward on mental health, sexual harassment, but miss opportunity on industrial manslaughter
The ACTU supports the state and federal WHS ministers' vote to regulate psychosocial hazards. This decision is a huge step forward for the prevention of mental illness and towards addressing sexual harassment and gendered violence in the workplace. Regulation on psychosocial hazards will place a positive obligation on employers to minimise and eliminate hazards to mental health from the workplace - just as they are required to in relation to physical hazards. Unfortunately, several ministers representing coalition governments voted to prevent action on industrial manslaughter in the model Work Health and Safety laws.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

25 May

PHI 31/21 Second-tier updates
The Department of Health announced hospital and second-tier benefits eligibility. The following private hospitals' names and/or address have been updated to match their state licence:
Name: North Shore Specialist Day Hospital
Previous Address: 176 Pacific Highway, Greenwich NSW 2065
Updated Address: Level 3, 176 Pacific Highway, Greenwich NSW 2065
Provider Number: 0027230H
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PHI 30/21 Private Hospital Declaration
The Department of Health reported notice of new or amended hospital declaration status and/or second-tier default benefit eligibility. The following facilities have been declared a private hospital under Section 121-5 of the Private Health Insurance Act 2007:
- Gregory Hills Renal Care Centre
- B.Braun Morayfield Renal Care Centre
- Hader Clinic Queensland Private
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Research

27 May

Hidden malaria life cycle discovered in the spleen
Ground-breaking studies have found large numbers of malaria parasites hiding in the human spleen where they actively multiply in a previously unrecognised life cycle. Until now, it was thought that once malaria parasites reached the blood stream, they circulated and multiplied only in the blood. New research, led by Dr Steven Kho and Professor Nick Anstey at Australia's Menzies School of Health Research and Professor Pierre Buffet at the University of Paris, with partners in Indonesia, found that in chronic malaria, concentrations of parasites were hundreds to thousands of times higher in the spleen than found in the circulating blood.
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26 May

Majorities of unvaccinated adults in most of 15 countries would get a vaccine if they could
A new Ipsos survey of nearly 10,000 unvaccinated adults in 15 countries conducted in partnership with the World Economic Forum finds that vaccine hesitancy tends to be more prevalent among those with lower incomes or lower levels of education, younger generations and/or females. Majorities in all but two of the countries surveyed intend to get a COVID- 19 vaccine when it will be available to them. However, the study indicates that vaccination intent has been declining since February - not only in the United States and the United Kingdom where about half of all adults have already received at least one dose, but also in countries, where fewer vaccination campaigns have been much slower, such as Australia and South Korea.
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25 May

Cancer Council NSW grants for Garvan researchers
Cancer Council NSW has awarded four project grants to Garvan Institute of Medical Research scientists to embark on innovative research projects in pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and neuroblastoma. The projects build on Garvan's leading cancer discoveries and leverage the Institute's capabilities and expertise in imaging, mathematical modelling and cancer cell biology. Each worth $450,000, the grants were awarded based on scientific merit, as determined by a peer-review process, and also reviewed by a consumer panel.
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24 May

New study finds no link between mobile phone use and salivary gland tumours
A study conducted by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the University of Auckland has found no link between mobile phone use and salivary gland cancers. Published in the scientific journal, Cancer Epidemiology, the study looked at the number of parotid and other salivary gland cancers occurring in Australia from 1982 to 2016, which coincides with the rise of mobile phone use among the general population.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health

27 May

Promoting cancer screenings to improve early detection rates
The Australian Government is increasing its efforts to promote cancer screenings to support and improve outcomes for all Australians, including $9.7 million for a new National Bowel Cancer Screening Program awareness campaign, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt. The campaign will aim to increase the numbers of Australians taking their free bowel cancer test and will focus on men aged 50 to 59 years, people living in regional and remote Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.
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25 May

Technology brings better health care to one of the most remote communities in the world
The Australian Digital Health Agency said that: 'In one of the most remote communities in the world, the Aboriginal community of Tjuntjuntjara in Western Australia, telehealth and the use of My Health Record have transformed health care delivery Over the last six months, the Agency has established eight delivery partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations to support the co-design and uptake of digital health, implemented a cultural competency training program for agency staff, implemented procurement protocols to support local Indigenous businesses, and commenced implementation of a My Health Record and digital health eLearning module with CPD accreditation for Aboriginal Health Practitioners.'
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Women's Health

27 May

Clinical guidelines to improve diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis
The Government commissioned the development of the guidelines in line with the National Action Plan for Endometriosis, launched in 2018. The Action Plan was the first of its kind and aims to improve the lives of women living with this debilitating condition, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino and Federal Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint. Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, which can be devastating for some sufferers but is often undiagnosed, although it affects one in nine women and girls.
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26 May

Time for WA Parliament to end harassment at the doors of abortion clinics
The dignity of people seeking reproductive health care is a step closer to being protected in Western Australia, with the reintroduction of safe access zone laws into the WA Parliament. The proposed laws would create protective areas around abortion services where intimidating and harassing behaviour targeted at patients and staff is prohibited. Western Australia is the only state in Australia without safe access zones. Human Rights Law Centre Associate Legal Director Monique Hurley said: 'This is a significant moment for Western Australia. These laws are an important step towards bringing Western Australia's laws in line with the rest of the country, where safe access zone laws play a critical role in promoting equality and protecting people's right to access healthcare safely.'
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WA: Legislation for safe and private access to abortion services reintroduced to Parliament
The WA Minister for Health Roger Cook said that: 'Government has fulfilled a commitment to reintroduce legislation that will ensure women seeking an abortion can have safe and private access to health services without fear of harassment or intimidation. The reintroduction of the Public Health Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2021 to Parliament today was required as it was unable to be debated and passed by the Upper House before the March election. The Bill provides for a safe access zone which will include the protected premises and any area within 150 metres of the boundary. The zone will apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week.'
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Transcripts

Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles
28 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon, Today Show
Subjects: Victorian lockdown, COVID-19, Vaccine rollout, Hotel quarantine, Aged care

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Australian Medical Association (AMA)
27 MAY: Transcript of Press Conference with Dr. Omar Khorshid, President of AMA, Australian Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19 pandemic, Vaccine supply

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Leigh Sales, ABC 7:30
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, Vaccination rates, Aged care, COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria, Urban & regional quarantine facilities

Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Scott Emerson, 4BC Drive
Subjects: COVID-19 pandemic, Vaccine supply, COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria, Vaccine hesitancy, Regional quarantine facility

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Sabra Lane, ABC AM
Subjects: Source of COVID-19 investigation, World Health Organisation, China-Australia relations, Yang Hengjun trial, Legal transparency, Samoan government, Defence submarine capability

Leader of the Australian Labor Party Anthony Albanese
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Mike O'Loughlin, Tasmania Talks
Subjects: NSW Upper Hunter by-election, Quarantine, Vaccine rollout, Borders, Tax cuts, Housing, Trade, China, Climate change, National Reconstruction Fund

Leader of the Australian Labor Party Anthony Albanese and Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
27 MAY: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: Victorian COVID-19 outbreak, Victorian lockdown, Vaccine rollout, Quarantine facilities, Vaccine eligibility, Contact tracing

Deputy Labor Leader in the Senate Kristina Keneally
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Lisa Millar, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: Hotel quarantine, COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Victoria's COVID-19 outbreak, Tax cuts, Taxation

Deputy Labor Leader in the Senate Kristina Keneally
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Liam Bartlett, 6PR Mornings
Subjects: Quarantine facilities, Victorian COVID-19 outbreak & lockdown, Hotel quarantine, Canstruct operations on Nauru, Senate Estimates

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Steve Price, Australia Talks
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Hotel quarantine, Aged care vaccinations, Vaccine ad campaign

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
27 MAY: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Hotel quarantine, Aged care facilities in Victoria yet to receive vaccine dose, Vaccine hesitancy, Vaccine supply

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, Vaccine hesitancy, Public health information advertising campaigns, Aged care, Quarantine facility

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Fran Kelly, ABC RN Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Hotel quarantine, Aged care facilities, Failures in disability rollout, Vaccine supply, Vaccine hesitancy, No Advertising campaign

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Tony Burke
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Laura Jayes, Sky News
Subjects: Melbourne lockdown, Hotel quarantine, COVID-19 vaccines, Tax cuts, Taxation

Member for Macnamara Josh Burns
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Raf Epstein, ABC Radio Melbourne Drive
Subjects: Victorian COVID-19 outbreak & lockdown, Aged care, Vaccination rollout, AstraZeneca supply, Disability care sector, Hotel quarantine facility

Member for Macnamara Josh Burns
27 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Pete Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: Victorian outbreak & possible lockdown, Protection of vulnerable Australians, COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Stage three tax cuts, Taxation

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter
26 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Laura Jayes, Sky News
Subjects: Defamation action, mRNA vaccine production, Vaccine rollout, COVID-19, Medical technology, Australian manufacturers

Royal Commission Into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People With Disability
26 MAY: Transcript of Proceedings
Subjects: Public Hearing 13, Day 3

Department of Health
26 MAY: Transcript of Chief Midwifery and Nursing Officer Alison McMillan's Interview with Lisa Millar, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine rollout

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
25 MAY: Transcript of Interview with David Koch, Sunrise, Channel 7
Subjects: COVID-19, Melbourne cases, Vaccine rollout, State Health Authorities, Contact tracing, Chief Medical Officer, Building Better Regions Fund

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
25 MAY: Transcript of Chair, Ronald Sackville's Opening Statement to Public Hearing 13
Subjects: NDIS, Hearings, COVID-19, Research, Disabilities

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
24 MAY: Transcript of Interview on Four Corners, ABC
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Vaccine rollout, Hotel quarantine, Industry, Europe, International supply chain challenges, AstraZeneca

Member for Higgins Katie Allen and Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services Matt Thistlethwaite
24 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Patricia Karvelas, ABC Afternoon Briefing
Subjects: Victoria COVID-19 cases, Vaccine rollout, Vaccine supply, Vaccine hesitancy, Upper Hunter by-election, Coal mining, Employment

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
23 MAY: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Mount Martha
Subjects: COVID-19 update, Vaccination rollout, Roadmap to reopening international borders, Aged care funding, National Cabinet, ATAGI, COVAX vaccines

Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Clare O'Neil
23 MAY: Transcript of Interview with David Speers, ABC Insiders
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccine rollout and quarantine, Aged Care Budget, Income tax, Kurri Kurri gas plant, Climate change

Member for Reid Fiona Martin and Shadow Assistant Minister for the Environment Josh Wilson
22 MAY: Transcript of Interview with Kathryn Robinson, ABC News Weekend Breakfast
Subjects: COVID19 Vaccination rollout, Kurri Kurri gas plant, mRNA, Climate change, Renewables, Solar, Wind

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
21 MAY: Transcript of Remarks & Q&A, Burnie Budget Lunch, Burnie
Subjects: COVID-19, Veterans' affairs, Women's health & economic security, STEM

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Reports

Australian Public Assessment Report for Esketamine hydrochloride - Report
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This AusPAR describes the application by Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to register Spravato (esketamine hydrochloride) 28 mg of esketamine per 2 actuations, nasal spray solution for the following proposed indication:
- Spravato is indicated for treatment resistant depression (Major Depressive Disorder in adults who have not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressants of adequate dose and duration to treat the current depressive episode).
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, serious, severely debilitating and recurrent psychiatric disorder. It is the leading cause of disability (years lived with disability) worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Filgotinib maleate - Report
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This AusPAR describes the application by Gilead Sciences Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to register Jyseleca (filgotinib maleate) 100 mg and 200 mg, film coated tablet for the following proposed indication:
- Jyseleca is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It may be used as monotherapy, or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or other conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs).
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology that typically presents as a bilateral symmetrical polyarthropathy of the peripheral synovial joints.
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2020 ESAT Review - Mid-Term Review of DES Program
Department of Social Services
The recent Mid-Term Review of the Disability Employment Services program (DES) highlighted the unclear value-for-money currently provided, given the rising caseload and spend but soft growth in employment outcomes. Employment Services Assessments (ESAts) are a critical process step in controlling entry into the Disability Employment Services program (DES), allowing for qualitative assessment of the employment barriers faced by job seekers. Ensuring that ESAts are effective, accurate, and consistent is critical to matching appropriate supports to job seekers, and for the ongoing sustainability of DES.
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Inquiry into the Surgical Implantation of Medical Mesh in South Australia
Social Development Committee
The Inquiry into Issues Related to the Surgical Implantation of Medical Mesh in South Australia (the Inquiry), by the Social Development Committee (the Committee) was championed by mesh injured advocates through Ms Dana Wortley MP, who moved a motion in the House of Assembly in February 2019 for this inquiry to be undertaken. The report of the Committee looks at a number of issues in the evidence, which suggest the physical, material and psychological damage that can be caused by failed mesh devices, is at least as severe as it has been claimed to be by mesh injured people and, is likely to be more widespread than it was thought to be by the health system and medical profession.
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National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards were developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) in collaboration with the Australian Government, states and territories, the private sector, clinical experts, patients and carers. The primary aims of the NSQHS Standards are to protect the public from harm and to improve the quality of health service provision. They provide a quality assurance mechanism that tests whether relevant systems are in place to ensure that expected standards of safety and quality are met.
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National Partnership on Essential Vaccines: performance report 2019-20
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
This report assesses the performance of state and territory governments against the benchmarks set out in the National Partnership on Essential Vaccines (NPEV; the Agreement).
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Impacts of COVID-19 on Medicare Benefits Scheme and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme: Quarterly Data
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
The following data visualisation provides an overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Medicare program. Total Medicare claiming can be seen on the Broad Type of Service (BTOS) comparison tab, and the volume of services and benefits paid for items more specific to COVID can be seen on the COVID items and GP attendances tabs. The bulk-billing incentive items detail the impact of both the introduction of bulk-billing incentive items specific to the pandemic response, and the temporary doubling of all Medicare bulk-billing incentive fees which ceased on 1 October 2020.
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Annual Report 2019-2020
Central Highlands Rural Health
The 2019-2020 financial year has been a period of immense change and upheaval, not just for the organisation, but for every member of the community. As devastating bushfires were abating at the beginning of the year, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was emerging. This meant that from early February 2020, the focus has been on keeping staff, residents, patients, clients and their loved ones safe and protected as much as possible from the virus.
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Evening is the best time of day to exercise for glycaemic control, study
Australia Catholic University (ACU)
An evening workout trumps morning exercise when it comes to minimising blood sugar spikes in overweight men, a new Australia Catholic University (ACU) study has found. The study, which looked at men who were overweight, inactive, at risk of type 2 diabetes and fed a high-fat diet, found that those who completed later workouts upped their metabolic health more than those who performed the same exercise earlier in the day. The men had better overnight blood sugar control when they exercised in the early evening rather than in the morning.
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Submission to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Australia
Mental health is fundamental to wellbeing and social and economic participation. For too long Australia's mental health system has failed to provide adequate services for the Australian community to realise these benefits. There is strong consensus across the mental health and suicide prevention sector about what needs to be done to address the gaps in the current system - as outlined by the nine principles of the sector's Charter for mental health reform (supported by over 110 signatories). The Charter principles are reflected in the findings and recommendations of the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health Final Report (PC Report), Vision 2030, and the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System Final Report (Victorian Royal Commission Final Report).
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The Queensland Inpatient Diabetes Survey (QuIDS) 2019 - The bedside audit of practice - Paper
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
It is estimated that about 1.2 million Australian adults (6% of the population) have diabetes. During 2016-17, more than 50 000 people were hospitalised with diabetes-related complications, and diabetes was an associated diagnosis for 1.1 million admissions (10% of all hospitalisations). A total of $598 million was spent on hospital admissions directly related to diabetes during 2015-16. Observational studies of hospitalised patients have found that hyperglycaemia is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, and hypoglycaemia with increased mortality and hospital length of stay.
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Transparent triage policies during the COVID-19 pandemic - A critical part of medico-legal risk management for clinicians - Paper
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Clinicians, ethicists and lawyers have long debated the parameters of triage in response to the inevitable disasters that sporadically overwhelm the health care system. Almost universally, they have advocated for open, transparent and consultative triage protocols, guidelines and legislation to combat biases and to support clinicians making unavoidable decisions in the interests of the community as a whole. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the importance of transparent triage.
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Research Insights - Why do Australians buy private hospital insurance - Paper
University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute
All Australians have access to Medicare that covers free hospital treatment, as well as subsidised medications and other medical treatment. In addition, the Australian government regulates private hospital insurance (PHI) with the aim of attracting private financing of healthcare and reducing the burden on the public hospital system. Since 1997, the government has implemented several policies to encourage people to purchase PHI, including rebates to partially refund premiums.
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Hansards

Federal

27 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19

27 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID 19: Vaccination

27 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Matters of Public Importance - COVID-19

27 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Adjournment - Fairfax Electorate: Aged Care

27 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Bills - Private Health Insurance Amendment (Income Thresholds) Bill 2021 - Second Reading, Debate Adjourned

26 MAY 2021: REPS COMMITTEE HANSARD: Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport - Approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia - Brisbane - 17 MAY 2021

26 MAY 2021: REPS COMMITTEE HANSARD: Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport - Approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia - Brisbane - 18 MAY 2021

26 MAY 2021: REPS COMMITTEE HANSARD: Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport - Approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia - Sydney - 07 MAY 2021

25 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - World Health Assembly

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Statements By Members - Bowman Electorate: Redland Hospital

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Mental Health

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Health Care

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Mental Health

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Statements By Members - Dunkley Electorate: Mental Health

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Statements By Members - McEwen Electorate: Health Services

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID 19: Vaccination

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccination

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccination

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID 19: Vaccination

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Aged Care

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Vaccination

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Vaccination

24 MAY 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Australian Centre for Disease Control

20 MAY 2021: JOINT COMMITTEE HANSARD: Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme - National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission - Canberra

Queensland

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Manufacturing, Health Technologies

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statements - Coronavirus, Victoria; Health Infrastructure

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statements - Coronavirus, Update

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statements - Coronavirus, Victoria

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health System

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Private Members' Statements - Health System, Budget

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health System, Funding

27 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Private Members' Statements - Coronavirus, Vaccine Rollout

25 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Princess Alexandra Hospital, Elective Surgery

25 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Townsville University Hospital, Paediatric Cardiology Service

25 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statement - Further Answer to Question, Health System

25 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health System

25 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Committees - Health and Environment Committee - Report

South Australia

25 MAY 2021: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - Central Adelaide Local Health Network

25 MAY 2021: SA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Question Time - Mental Health Beds

25 MAY 2021: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Matters of Public Interest - Torres Strait Islands, Health Infrastructure

Western Australia

27 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Without Notice 156 - Supplementary Information - Coronavirus - Hotel Quarantine

27 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Motion - Palliative Care

27 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Statement - Coronavirus - Vaccination

27 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - COVID-19 Response Legislation Amendment (Extension of Expiring Provisions) Bill 2021 - Committee, Report, Third Reading

27 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Without Notice 154 - Supplementary Information - Coronavirus - Vaccination Rate

27 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Child and Adolescent Health Service - Aishwarya Aswath

27 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Police - Mental Health Co-Response Program

27 MAY 2021: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Hospitals - Bed Capacity

27 MAY 2021: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Quarantine Advisory Panel

27 MAY 2021: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Grievance - Perth Children's Hospital - Eating Disorders Program

25 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health - Specialised Medical Equipment

25 MAY 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - St John of God Midland Public Hospital - Budget

25 MAY 2021: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Minister for Health, Health Sector

25 MAY 2021: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Minister for Health, Performance

25 MAY 2021: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health, Care System, Fatalities

Victoria

25 MAY 2021: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Mental Health Support

25 MAY 2021: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice & Ministers Statements - Hospital Funding

25 MAY 2021: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Papers - Department of Health

25 MAY 2021: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Nepean Electorate Youth Mental Health

25 MAY 2021: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Ballarat Mental Health Funding

25 MAY 2021: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - State Taxation and Mental Health Acts Amendment Bill 2021 - Appropriation

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Court Cases

None this edition.

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New Regulations

National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Instrument 2021 (No. 5)
Legislative instrument - F2021L00654
The purpose of this legislative instrument is to amend the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and related matters. PB 71 of 2012 determines the pharmaceutical benefits that are on the PBS through declarations of drugs and medicinal preparations, and determinations of forms, manners of administration and brands. It also provides for related matters (equivalent brands, responsible persons, prescribing circumstances, maximum quantities, number of repeats, determined quantity and pack quantity, section 100 only status and prescriber bag only status).
Explanatory Statement | Supporting Material

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Heart Health Assessment No.2) Amendment Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00623
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Heart Health Assessment No.2) Amendment Determination 2021 (the Amendment Determination) is to amend the two heart health assessment items (699 and 177) to provide that these services can only be performed on a patient who is 30 years of age or over. This will align the items with the current evidence-based age cohorts for the Australian Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk calculator, which is the basis for the assessment requirements for the heart health assessment items.
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Medicare Guarantee (2020-21 Credits to the Special Account No. 2) Determination 2021
Notifiable Instrument - F2021N00101
This instrument is the Medicare Guarantee (2020-21 Credits to the Special Account No. 2) Determination 2021.
Download

Medicare Guarantee (2021-22 Credits to the Special Account No. 1) Determination 2021
Notifiable Instrument - F2021N00102
This instrument is made under the Medicare Guarantee Act 2017.
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Proclamations

None this edition.

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Gazette Notices

None this edition.

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Consolidated Legislation

None this edition.

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New Bills

Federal

A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to aged care, and for related purposes

The purpose of the Bill is to provide urgent amendments to the Aged Care Act 1997 (Aged Care Act) and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Quality and Safety Commission Act) in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission).

The Bill provides the first stage of aged care reform in response to the Royal Commission's final report, strengthens the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring senior Australians get the high quality and safe aged care services they deserve.

The amendments introduced by Schedule 1 of the Bill will strengthen the responsibilities under the Aged Care Act on approved providers of aged care of a type specified in the Quality of Care Principles 2014 (Quality of Care Principles) by including enhanced safeguards and conditions on the use of restrictive practices. The Bill undertakes to emphasise person-centred care in relation to the use of restrictive practices through inserting a new definition of 'restrictive practice' and requiring the Quality of Care Principles to provide legislative detail on the requirements approved providers are to comply with prior to, during, and after the use of restrictive practices.

The Bill will also enhance compliance of approved providers by including civil penalties for those providers who fail to comply with compliance notices produced by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner (Commissioner) in relation to a breach of restrictive practice responsibilities under the Aged Care Act.

Schedule 2 of the Bill amends the Aged Care Act to empower the Secretary to conduct reviews (assurance reviews) to assure the arrangements for the delivery and administration of home care are effective and efficient. Assurance reviews will inform the continuous improvement of home care policy and the education of approved providers in relation to home care and home care services.

The Secretary, or appropriate delegate, will be able to issue 'notices to give' and 'notices to attend' to approved providers that are corporations to collect information in relation to an assurance review. Approved providers that are corporations will be required to provide all reasonable facilities and assistance to the Secretary, and persons assisting the Secretary, in their performance of the reviews. Failure to comply with these notices or provide reasonable assistance will incur civil penalties. The Secretary will also be able to request that a person (or approved provider that is not a corporation) to provide any information or documents that are relevant to an assurance review. The person is not required to comply with the request.

The Secretary or persons assisting the Secretary may prepare and publish reports on assurance reviews, dealing with findings, conclusions or recommendations made as a result of the reviews. The report may be published where no identifying personal information is included. The Secretary may publish information on providers who do not comply with notices to produce information or provide reasonable assistance. The assurance reviews will provide transparency for consumers and increased program oversight for the Government.

Reps: Intro 27/05/21, 2R 27/05/21, Passed TBA
Senate: Intro TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table - The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 1 - 1 July 2021.

Schedule 2 - The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 3 - 1 July 2021.

A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to medical and midwife indemnity, and for related purposes

The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that claims made against all privately practising midwives are eligible under the Commonwealth's medical and midwife indemnity schemes.

The Bill amends the Medical Indemnity Act 2002 to ensure that claims against all midwives in private practice whose registration is not endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to prescribe scheduled medicines (registered only midwives) are eligible under the Allied Health High Cost Claims Scheme and the Allied Health Exceptional Claims Scheme (Allied Health Schemes) where the claim relates to incidents that occurred on or from 1 July 2020. Previously, claims against some registered only midwives were not eligible for the Allied Health Schemes based on whether the midwife could be expected to be covered by an employer's indemnity arrangements.

These amendments ensure that the medical indemnity legislation reflects the Commonwealth's policy that claims against all registered only midwives have coverage under the Allied Health Schemes for claims made after the commencement of those Schemes on 1 July 2020, creating parity of arrangements with all other registered allied health professionals eligible under the Allied Health Schemes.

The Bill also amends the Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Act 2010 to expand eligibility of the Midwife Professional Indemnity Scheme and the Midwife Professional Indemnity Run-off Cover Scheme (Midwife Schemes) to cover claims made against midwives in private practice whose registration has been endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to prescribe scheduled medicines (eligible midwives), irrespective of whether the midwife is covered under a professional indemnity insurance policy as an employee or in an independent capacity.

The Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services have requested Government support for access to an insurance product for their employed midwives. This cohort of midwives are unable to obtain indemnity insurance to extend their services to intrapartum care under an indemnity insurer. The Department has worked closely with a number of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and the provider currently administering the Midwife Schemes, Medical Insurance Group Australia Pty Ltd, to support the development of an appropriate insurance product to cover these health services and their midwifery services. This measure will open-up the Midwife Professionals Indemnity Scheme to all endorsed midwives irrespective of their employment status, and provide access to an insurance policy for this class of midwives that includes intrapartum care (with the exception of home births).

The Department also provided advice to key stakeholders to outline the changes to be made in the medical and midwife indemnity legislation and invited these stakeholders to provide written feedback. The stakeholders contacted during this process included the Australian College of Midwives and medical indemnity insurers including, Avant, Berkshire Hathaway, Guild Insurance, Medical Indemnity Protection Society, MDA National and Medical Insurance Group Australia Pty Ltd.

As a result of these amendments, the eligible insurer under the Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Act 2010, currently Medical Insurance Group Australia Pty Ltd, will be able to indemnify employed endorsed midwives under the Midwife Schemes. This ensures that these midwives are covered by an insurance policy that has capped premiums and eligibility to the Midwife Professional Indemnity Run-off Cover Scheme.

Employed eligible midwives currently not participating in the Midwife Schemes will have the choice to stay under their current arrangements, and if an eligible claim was made in these circumstances the Allied Health Schemes would respond. This flexibility in arrangements supports midwives to work in a variety of different arrangements, without their indemnity insurance being a barrier.

Amendments made by this Bill will mean that claims against all privately practising midwives will be eligible under the Commonwealth's medical and midwife indemnity schemes if an eligible medical indemnity claim is made.

Reps: Intro 27/05/21, 2R 27/05/21, Passed TBA
Senate: Intro TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table - The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 1 - 1 July 2020.

Schedule 2 - 1 July 2021.

A Bill for an Act to amend the Private Health Insurance Act 2007, and for related purposes

The Bill continues the pause of the annual indexation of private health insurance (PHI) income thresholds for another two years, and adjusts the formula for recommencement of indexation at the current income thresholds following the end of the pause.

The Private Health Insurance Act 2007 (the Act) is the main law that sets out the requirements for PHI and health insurers. The Act allows for the setting and annual indexing of income thresholds. The income thresholds determine rebate amounts that may apply for consumers with eligible PHI cover (the PHI rebate), and the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) income thresholds and rates.

Indexation of income thresholds
Annual indexation of income thresholds is provided for under Subdivision 22Æ'{B (the Subdivision) of the Act. The thresholds for annual indexation of Singles and Family thresholds and the details of indexation are specified under Subsection 22Æ'{35, 22Æ'{40, and 22Æ'{45 provisions respectively.

The Bill continues the pause of the annual indexation of income thresholds for another two years, and adjusts the formula for recommencement of indexation. The Government has announced that the continuation of the pause will provide an opportunity to undertake a detailed study of settings of the PHI rebate and the MLS.

With the pause, rebate income thresholds remain at $90,000 for the base single policy and at $180,000 for the base family policy. Base income threshold (under which a taxpayer is not liable to pay the MLS) remains at $90,000 for singles and at $180,000 for families.

Specifically the Bill seeks to amend the Act to:

  • pause indexation for a further two financial years
  • recommence annual indexation thereafter
  • recommence indexation using current income thresholds
  • repeal consequential redundant Subdivision 22Æ'{B provisions.

Reps: Intro 12/05/21, 2R 27/05/21, Passed TBA
Senate: Intro TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: The whole of this Act - 1 July 2021.

A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to taxation, social security, veterans' entitlements and the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, and for related purposes.

Schedule 1 of the Bill amends the Medicare Levy Act 1986 and the A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge - Fringe Benefits) Act 1999 to:

  • increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for individuals and families (along with the dependent child-student component of the family threshold) in line with movements in the CPI;
  • increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for individuals and families eligible for the SAPTO (along with the dependent child-student component of the family threshold), in line with movements in the CPI; and
  • increase the Medicare levy surcharge low-income threshold in line with movements in the CPI.

This will ensure that low-income individuals, families, seniors and pensioners who were exempt from the Medicare levy in the 2019-20 income year continue to be exempt in the 2020-21 income year if their income has increased in line with, or less than, movements in the CPI.

Schedule 2 of the Bill amends the NHFIC Act to expand the objects of the Act to include NHFIC improving housing outcomes for Australians by assisting earlier access to the housing market by eligible single parents with dependants. The amendments to the objects will enable the Minister to issue directions to NHFIC through its Investment Mandate.

Schedule 3 of the Bill amends the ITAA 1997, the SS Act and the Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 to provide that annual and lump sum payments made by the Commonwealth to Thalidomide survivors are exempt from income tax and do not count as income for the purposes of any income support payments.

Reps: Intro 13/05/21, 2R 13/05/21, 26/05/21, 27/05/21, Passed 27/05/21
Senate: Intro TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table - The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 1 - The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 2 - The later of:

(a) 1 July 2021; and

(b) the day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 3, Part 1 - The first 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October to occur after the day this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 3, Part 2 - The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedules 4 and 5 - The first 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October to occur after the day this Act receives the Royal Assent.

Queensland

A Bill for An Act about access to voluntary assisted dying and related matters, and to amend this Act, the Coroners Act 2003, the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000, the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 and the Powers of Attorney Act 1998 for particular purposes.

The objective of the Bill is to establish a legal framework for voluntary assisted dying in Queensland, allowing eligible people who are suffering and dying to choose the timing and circumstances of their death. The Bill establishes a voluntary assisted dying scheme in Queensland based on the recommendations of the Queensland Law Reform Commission's (QLRC's) report: A legal framework for voluntary assisted dying (Report No. 79) and draft QLRC legislation. The QLRC aimed to develop a draft law for Queensland that is compassionate, safe and practical.

Legalising voluntary assisted dying in Queensland will introduce significant changes to the current law in defined circumstances, providing people, in certain circumstances, with access to more options at the end of life and affording them dignity by empowering them to exercise greater choice in the timing and manner of their death. Criminal Code offences relating to homicide and other laws will continue to apply to conduct falling outside the scheme in addition to the creation of specific offences under the voluntary assisted dying legislative scheme.

Intro 25/05/21, Referred to the Health and Environment Committee 25/05/21, Report due TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

(1) Part 8 and section 153 commence 6 months after the date of assent.
(2) The remaining provisions of this Act commence on 1 January 2023.

Download: Explanatory Notes | Statement of Compatibility | Explanatory Speech | Committee Report | 2R Speech

South Australia

A Private Member's Bill (Maher) for An Act to provide for and regulate access to voluntary assisted dying, to establish the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, to make related amendments to other Acts, and for other purposes.

The main purpose of this Bill is to introduce a voluntary assisted dying scheme, modelled on that implemented in Victoria. The essential elements, as described by the Victorian health department, for someone seeking access to the Victorian scheme include:

  • they must have an advanced disease that will cause their death, and is likely to cause that within six months, or 12 months if a neurodegenerative disease, that is causing that person suffering that is unacceptable to them;
  • they must have the ability to make and communicate a decision about voluntary assisted dying through the formal request process; and
  • they must be an adult over 18 years, have been living in the state for at least 12 months, and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

LC: 1R 02/12/20, 2R 02/12/20, 17/03/21, 31/03/21, 05/05/21, Passed (with amendments) 05/05/21
LA: 1R 06/05/21, 2R 12/05/21, 26/05/21, Passed TBA
LC: Final Stages TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: This Act comes into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

Download: 2R Speech

Victoria

and related Bills:

Appropriation (2021-2022) Bill 2021
Appropriation (Parliament 2021-2022) Bill 2021

A Bill for an Act to amend the Duties Act 2000, the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000, the Land Tax Act 2005, the Mental Health Act 2014 and the Payroll Tax Act 2007 and to make consequential amendments to other Acts and for other purposes.

This Bill amends the Duties Act 2000 to -

  • provide for land transfer duty not to apply in particular circumstances involving a shared equity arrangement between a person and the State; and
  • temporarily increase the threshold for the off-the-plan concession to $1 000 000, for all home buyers, for contracts entered into from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2023; and
  • introduce a premium land transfer duty rate of 6.5% on dutiable transactions with a dutiable value above $2 000 000 from 1 July 2021; and
  • provide a temporary land transfer duty exemption and concession for the transfer of new homes in the City of Melbourne.

This Bill amends the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 to -

  • change the title of that Act to the First Home Owner Grant and Home Buyer Schemes Act 2000; and
  • empower the Commissioner of State Revenue to administer home buyer schemes between the State and home buyers.

This Bill amends the Land Tax Act 2005 to -

  • exclude unit trust schemes from the definition of discretionary trust; and
  • provide that a partner in a partnership is taken to have a beneficial interest in partnership property; and
  • provide for land tax not to apply in certain circumstances involving a shared equity arrangement between the owner and the State; and
  • increase the land tax threshold from $250 000 to $300 000 for owners and absentee owners; and
  • ensure that land tax is correctly calculated in the case of pre-2006 land owned by the trustee of a discretionary trust that is used and occupied by a nominated beneficiary as a principal place of residence; and
  • extend the exemption for vacant residential land tax for new developments to apply for up to 2 land tax years; and
  • increase land tax rates for taxpayers with larger property holdings of $1 800 000 or more.

This Bill amends the Mental Health Act 2014 to provide for the proceeds of the mental health and wellbeing surcharge to be used for the provision of mental health outputs.

This Bill amends the Payroll Tax Act 2007 to -

  • ensure the correct calculation of payroll tax for a group that has been given approval to lodge a joint return covering the nominated members of the group where one or more (but not all) group members are bushfire relief regional employers; and
  • raise the payroll tax annual threshold amount from $650 000 to $700 000 from 1 July 2021; and
  • reduce the payroll tax rate for regional employers to 1.2125% from 1 July 2021; and
  • introduce a mental health and wellbeing surcharge on payroll tax.

LA: 1R 20/05/21, 2R 20/05/21, 26/05/21, Passed 26/05/21
LC: 1R 26/05/21, 2R 26/05/21, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

(1) This Act (other than Part 5 and Divisions 1 and 4 of Part 6) comes into operation on 1 July 2021.
(2) Division 1 of Part 6 is taken to have come into operation on 1 July 2019.
(3) Part 5 and Division 4 of Part 6 come into operation on 1 January 2022.

Western Australia

A Bill for An Act to amend the following to extend the operation of provisions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic: The Criminal Code; the Criminal Code Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020; the Emergency Management Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020.

The Bill:

  • amends the Emergency Management Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 to extend the sunset date that applies to section 72A of the Emergency Management Act 2005 (EMA) so the powers under that provision are available for a further 6 months beyond the current sunset date of 4 July 2021; and
  • amends the Criminal Code Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 to ensure that higher penalties continue to apply to serious assaults and threats against public officers committed in the context of COVID-19 for a further 6 months beyond the current sunset date of 4 July 2021.

LA: Notice of Motion 04/05/21
LA: 1R 05/05/21, 2R 05/05/21, 11/05/21, Passed 11/05/21
LC: 1R 11/05/21, 2R 11/05/21, 26/05/21, 27/05/21, Passed 27/05/21

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: This Act comes into operation as follows -

(a) Part 1 - on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent;
(b) the rest of the Act - on the day after that day.

A Bill for An Act to amend the Public Health Act 2016.

The Bill amends the Public Health Act 2016 (the PHA) to create safe access zones around premises at which abortions are provided. These zones will ensure that those who want to access abortion services can do so in a safe and private manner. The Bill also prohibits publication and distribution of certain recordings to protect the privacy and dignity of those who access abortion services.

LA: Notice of Motion 25/05/21
LA: 1R 26/05/21, 2R 26/05/21, Passed TBA
LC: 1R TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: This Act comes into operation as follows -

(a) sections 1 and 2 - on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent;
(b) the rest of the Act - on the day after that day.

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New Acts

Federal

Health Insurance Amendment (Prescribed Fees) Act 2021

An Act to amend the Health Insurance Act 1973, and for related purposes

This Act simplifies administrative processes for recognition of specialists and consultant physicians for Medicare purposes under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) by removing the requirement to pay a $30.00 prescribed fee to gain recognition by Medicare.

The current Commonwealth legislative framework to recognise specialists and consultant physicians for Medicare purposes is implemented in legislation that includes the following:

  • the Act, and
  • Health Insurance Regulations 2018 (Regulations).

The Act provides a pathway for recognising specialists and consultant physicians for Medicare purposes.

Reps: Intro 17/02/21, 2R 17/02/21, 12/05/21, Passed 12/05/21
Senate: Intro 12/05/21, 2R 12/05/21, Passed 13/05/21

Assent 27/05/21, Act No. 40 of 2021

Commencement: The whole of this Act - 1 July 2021. 1 July 2021

 

Northern Territory

An Act to amend the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Worker Clearance) Act 2020.

This Act amends the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Worker Clearance) Act 2020 to rectify minor drafting errors identified in the Act, that were not previously foreseen when the Act commenced.

The Act is amended from the day after the Administrator's assent to ensure that the Minister for Disabilities can declare Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services a Screening Agency to conduct nationally consistent National Disability Insurance Scheme Worker Screening checks in the Northern Territory.

Notice of Motion 24/03/21
Intro 25/03/21, 2R 25/03/21, 12/05/21, Passed 12/05/21

Assent 25/05/21, Act No. 16 of 2021

Commencement: This Act commences on the day after the day on which the Administrator's assent to this Act is declared.

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Editorial

Victorian Budget promises $3.8 billion for mental health through new big business levy
by James Dawson, Supervisory Editor

Mental health was at the forefront of last Thursday's Victorian state Budget. Acting Premier James Merlino announced a $3.8 billion investment in the sector - 65 per cent more than the Federal Government's $2.3 billion package for the whole country, announced just a week before. The new funding is a response to the recommendations of Victoria's Royal Commission on mental health. Revenue for the new package will be drawn from a new payroll tax on large businesses.

The Budget promises to build the state's mental health system from the ground up, starting with schools. Mr Merlino holds the portfolios of both Education and Mental Health, which will no doubt have informed the creation of this policy. "Whenever I visit a school, families and teachers tell me mental health and wellbeing is the single biggest issue affecting our kids," said Mr Merlino. "This is our opportunity to fundamentally transform the way we support our young people. That means putting schools at the heart of our response - giving them the funding, the staff, the tools and whatever else they might need to be there for our kids." The Budget invests $277 million in new mental health support for schools, part of the Government's promise to fund a mental health practitioner in every Government secondary and specialist secondary school by the end of 2021. The centrepiece of this package is a new $200 million School Mental Health Fund, which can be accessed for programs, staff and support services specific to the school community's needs. Funding will also expand the Mental Health in Primary Schools pilot program to cover 100 schools.

Chronic understaffing in the mental health sector will be targeted with a $206 million investment to boost the mental health workforce with around 3000 new mental health nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and support staff. The package includes $120 million in new training and study support, covering 120 graduate placements for nurses, 140 postgraduate mental health scholarships, and extra graduate placements for allied health professionals and additional psychiatry rotations for junior doctors. Funding will also continue the Government's Free TAFE course program, which has enrolled almost 1900 students in certificates in mental health and mental health peer work since 2019. Many workers in the sector have lived experience of mental health issues. The Budget follows the recommendations of the Royal Commission, allocating a further $40.7 million to expand and support the lived experience workforce.

People experiencing mental health crises are to be given more options than hospital emergency rooms. The Budget provides $1.96 billion in acute and emergency mental health programs. This will provide 104 new acute mental health beds across the state, including 35 beds specifically for women. "An emergency department shouldn't be the only place Victorians in crisis can go. These investments will mean more people can get the care they need, when they need it most," said Mr Merlino. "If a Victorian needs help, we need to catch them with both hands. That means more staff, more beds, and more dedicated support to help make sure they recover." There is also $36 million in funding for 24 new 'Mental Health Hospital in the Home' beds, providing comprehensive care while allowing people to remain in the comfort of their homes and communities. The Government will also establish four new HOPE (Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement) sites, specifically targeted at young people. These are designed to build on the success of the nine existing adult HOPE sites throughout the state, which will also receive ongoing funding in the Budget.

Regional communities will also receive dedicated mental health funding. This is designed to address shortfalls in services in rural and regional Victoria, where people are often forced to travel long distances away from families, friends and support networks to access mental health services. "When you're sick or scared, the last thing you should have to do is leave home and the people you love. And yet, that's the experience of too many regional Victorians," said Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas "Making sure care is available in local communities will make all the difference when it comes to people's recovery." The Budget promises $700 million in new and regional mental health support services, including the first 20 of up to 60 local 'front door' services that will act as a first point of contact for mental health services in local communities. These services will operate 24/7, providing crisis outreach teams and emergency services response for people with complex mental health issues, without requiring them to travel to city centres. The Budget also invests $141 million for five new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care Units (YPARCs), including locations in the Barwon South-West, Gippsland and Grampians regions, specifically designed for young people aged 16 to 25 years. This will deliver 50 beds across the state, offering a 'step up' from community care or 'step down' from hospital, with 24-hour support delivered in a home-style setting.

Revenue for the new mental health spending is to be drawn from a mental health and wellbeing levy, based on one of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. The final report of the Royal Commission said the levy and dedicated mental health funding would be "critical to ensuring sustainable and enduring reform". The Commission warned that, should the implementation of the levy and dedicated capital investment fund be delayed, the Victorian Government should "demonstrate its commitment by allocating investment from general revenue as part of the annual budget process, to pave the way for major, sustained investment in good mental health and wellbeing."

The legislation to implement the new tax is schedule to commence on 1 January 2022, and is estimated to raise $387 million in 2021-22, increasing to $882 million by the end of the forward estimates. The levy will be implemented as a payroll tax surcharge on wages paid in Victoria by businesses with national payrolls over $10 million a year. A rate of 0.5 per cent will apply for businesses with national payrolls above $10 million, and businesses with national payrolls above $100 million will pay an additional 0.5 per cent. The Budget eases the pain for smaller businesses, immediately increasing the payroll tax-free threshold to $700,000 from 1 July 2021, providing approximately $28 million in relief. Regional employers will also benefit, with their payroll tax rate cut to 1.2125 per cent from1 July 2021. It is estimated this measure will save around 4,000 regional businesses approximately $30 million in payroll tax in 2021-22, in addition to the savings from the increase to the tax-free threshold.

Big business peak bodies have, unsurprisingly, expressed opposition to the new tax. Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott said the levy "sets a very dangerous precedent of fiscal repair which ultimately harms growth". "While we welcome mental health reform which is much needed to deal with systemic issues and the devastating impact of a long and disproportionate lockdown, an approach that pits some Victorians against others by taxing jobs makes everyone a loser," said Ms Westacott. "It doesn't make sense to target employers with a payroll tax hike which will hamstring their ability to create jobs and drive the recovery."

On Thursday, the Victorian Head of the Australian Industry Group, Tim Piper, initially welcomed the new investment in mental health, while warning that the new levy could be a brake on economic growth. "The leading place given to mental health in today's Budget is commendable. Improving our approach to mental health can have both social and economic benefits for Victorians. Businesses are increasingly dealing with mental health issues in workplaces and the greater focus on mental health in this Budget should include measures to improve the ability of employers and managers to play a constructive role in this area," Mr Piper said. "The payroll tax levy related to mental health funding, while directly impacting only a small proportion of businesses, will dampen jobs growth and add another cost to doing business in the State." A day later, Mr Piper had hardened his position on the new levy, condemning it as a "cash grab". "Business is shocked at the approach taken by Government to the employees and customers of the largest businesses in the State. The extra levy will impact most directly on them. Its indirect impacts extend to the level of private sector investment and employment in the State and because of that will harm the broader Victorian economy," Mr Piper said.

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