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)
21 January
Mobilising Australia's COVID-19 vaccine workforce
The Government is preparing for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout by securing an additional vaccine workforce and working to deliver essential training to everyone who will administer the vaccinations. Australia's vaccine roll out will be carried out through hospitals, General practices, state and Commonwealth vaccination clinics, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Pharmacies. This additional vaccination workforce will help support and supplement these existing services and assist in outreach in areas such as aged care and remote and indigenous communities working with existing providers, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt.
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Strong vaccine messaging of vital value
The scale and complexity of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout make it vital that Federal and state governments urgently step-up comprehensive communications to ensure the best possible outcome, the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) said. CHF has released its position statement on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout which sets out the consumers' perspective on making the vaccination campaign work best for all Australians. 'The success of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign will depend significantly on effective communications that informs and reassures people about the need for and safety of the vaccine,' the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
The NSW Department of Health recorded zero new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. There were five cases recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,895. While there were 12,213 tests reported, compared with the previous day's total of 19,959, NSW Health can advise the reported testing numbers appear lower after a minor IT issue delayed inclusion of approximately 6,000 negative tests.
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QLD: Brisbane company to accelerate development of rapid COVID-19 test
Brisbane company AnteoTech is one step closer to delivering an innovative point-of-care (PoC) rapid COVID-19 test thanks to vital funding from the Queensland Government. Queensland Minister for State Development Steven Miles said $1.4 million funding will allow life science and nano-scale surface chemistry company, AnteoTech Ltd, to progress its high-sensitivity and low-cost test from prototype through to manufacturing and product launch subject to successful clinical trials and regulatory approvals. 'We're partnering with Queensland's leading experts in medical diagnostic technology such as AnteoTech to ensure we commercialise innovative technologies and create jobs for the future,' Mr Miles said.
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20 January
NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Department of Health recorded zero new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. There were three cases recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID- 19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,890. There were 19,959 tests reported, compared with the previous day's total of 10,621. Testing numbers have risen in recent days but are still insufficient to provide confidence that chains of transmission will be picked up. High testing rates help reveal cases that would otherwise go undetected and are an invaluable tool in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.
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QLD: Queensland COVID-19 rapid home testing kits hit US shores
Brisbane-based biotech company Ellume sent the first shipment of its rapid COVID-19 home testing kits to the United States. Queensland Minister Miles visited Ellume's Richlands facility to congratulate the company on its achievement. 'By the end of this financial year, Ellume aims to provide more than 20 million tests for the United States - a country that's seen the highest daily case rates in the world,' Mr Miles said.
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19 January
ACT: Confirmed cases update
The ACT Department of Health said that there have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours, leaving the ACT's total at 118. There are no active cases in the ACT. A total of 115 cases have recovered from COVID-19 in the ACT. There are no COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals. The ACT has recorded three (3) deaths. The number of negative tests recorded in the ACT is now 151,998, with 471 tests in the past 24 hours.
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NSW: Vaccinate to educate: Add school and early childhood staff to priority group
The Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch is calling on the Federal Government to include teachers and support staff in schools and early childhood services as frontline essential workers in a priority group for vaccination. 'It is not only in the interests of teachers and support staff to receive the vaccination but also the entire community,' said IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Mark Northam. 'The IEU supports NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell's COVID-safety guidelines for students starting Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 7, released on Monday 18 January,' Northam said. 'But these guidelines should be extended to include priority vaccination of all school staff to ensure smooth delivery of education in 2021.'
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NT: CHO Direction - International and domestic air travel
The NT Chief Health Officer introduced new Directions outlining strict health and hygiene practices for international and domestic travel to bolster our defence against COVID- 19 in the Northern Territory and across Australia. The health Directions are in line with a new national approach and come into effect at 12.01am on Wednesday 20 January 2021. One of the key Directions make it mandatory for face masks to be worn at all major NT airports and while on board an aircraft. Masks must be worn when inside the Darwin, Alice Springs, Yulara, Gove and Groote Eylandt airports and when on the airfield.
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WA: COVID-19 update
The WA Department of Health has reported one new case of COVID-19 in Western Australia, bringing the State total to 888. The confirmed case is a man in his 40s who returned to Perth from overseas. He is in hotel quarantine. WA Health is monitoring 14 active cases and 865 people have recovered from the virus in WA. There have been 697,023 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 109,453 were from regional WA. 1,719 people presented to WA Health-managed COVID clinics - 1,700 were assessed and 1,699 swabbed. Visit WA Health's HealthyWA website for the latest information on COVID-19.
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18 January
VIC: Parts of Sydney red zone downgraded
More Victorians will be able to return home safely from Sydney with updated health advice allowing some border restrictions to be downgraded. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced that, due to the reduced exposure risk and low community transmission in some areas of Greater Sydney, a number of red zone Local Government Areas (LGAs) will transition to orange - allowing Victorians in those areas to return home if they want to.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 18 January 2021
The WA Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia. The State's total remains at 887. WA Health is monitoring 13 active cases and 865 people have recovered from the virus in WA. There have been 693,419 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 109,070 were from regional WA. 1,795 people presented to WA Health-managed COVID clinics - 1,785 were assessed and 1,784 swabbed. Visit WA Health's HealthyWA website for the latest information on COVID-19.
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16 January
VIC: QLD red zone downgraded & more Victorians to return home
More Victorians will be able to return home safely with updated health advice allowing for additional easing of border restrictions. Victorian Premier Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced that, due to the reduced exposure risk and low community transmission in Brisbane, QLD red zone Local Government Areas (LGAs) would transition to orange, allowing Victorians in those areas to return home if they want to. The Greater Brisbane LGAs of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Redland, Logan, and Ipswich will be declared an orange zone by Victoria's Chief Health Officer. The updated orange zone listing overrides the previous classification as a red zone and applies to the last 14 days. This means anyone who has been or is currently in Greater Brisbane wanting to travel to Victoria can apply for a permit.
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15 January
Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns
Notifications to authorities of suspected child abuse fell in Australia during COVID-19 'lockdowns' in 2020 and increased again as restrictions were eased, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report, Child protection in the time of COVID-19, presents child protection data from March to September 2020, covering the 'first wave' of COVID-19 restrictions for Australia, and part of the 'second wave' of restrictions for Victoria. The report includes preliminary data supplied by jurisdictions through an accelerated data sharing process.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, said NSW Health. There were two cases recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,856. There were 16,070 tests reported, compared with the previous day's total of 20,437. While two days without any locally acquired cases is encouraging, it is likely that COVID-19 is continuing to circulate in the community among people who have mild or no symptoms.
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Aged Care
20 January
Additional support for senior Australians to live independently
The Australian Government is ensuring senior Australians can live at home for longer thanks to additional assistance under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, said allowing older Australians to choose how and where they lived is a priority. 'The choice to live safely and independently in their community has increasingly become a strong preference for senior Australians,' Minister Colbeck said. 'The Government continues to invest in measures to make this possible no matter where people live.' The Government will provide up to $124.4m in additional grants across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years.
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NSW: Great news for regional seniors
Applications for the 2021 Regional Seniors Travel Card are now open, NSW Nationals Members for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has announced. 'The Regional Seniors Travel Card is a NSW Nationals in government initiative that provides eligible seniors living in regional areas like the Clarence and Richmond Valleys with a $250 prepaid card to help ease the cost of travel,' Mr Gulaptis said. 'You can use the card at certain retailers to pay for pre-booked NSW Trainlink Regional trains and coaches, fuel and taxis.' Mr Gulaptis said that organisations in the Clarence and Richmond Valleys can also now apply for a share of the NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program to help older people get active and connected.
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VIC: Operational update - Victorian Aged Care Response Centre
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) coordinated testing of asymptomatic staff in Victorian aged care facilities.
- Since late October, the cumulative total of tests recorded in 730 individual aged care facilities is 68,703 staff.
- This is week 13 of asymptomatic testing. Over a 4 week period it is expected that all aged care facilities will have taken part in asymptomatic testing to staff.
VACRC is working closely with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to align testing requirements. The Federal Government's testing program has scheduled residential aged care facilities' workforce to be tested fortnightly in metropolitan Melbourne, and monthly in regional Victoria.
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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
20 January
Child safety not something to be toyed with
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has reminded parents to be vigilant these school holidays while children are playing with toys that are powered by button batteries. Many children's games, toys and other devices contain the shiny, coin-sized batteries, which pose a serious risk if swallowed or inserted in the nose or ear. AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said the battery's shiny exterior was an unfortunate attractant. 'Young children, particularly those aged under five years, can find the batteries just as appealing as the toys themselves,' Dr Khorshid said. 'While the AMA welcomes the December 2020 announcement of a shift to mandatory safety and information standards for button batteries, there are still safety issues for consumers to be aware of while industry shifts to new compliance requirements,' he said.
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15 January
Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns
Notifications to authorities of suspected child abuse fell in Australia during COVID-19 'lockdowns' in 2020 and increased again as restrictions were eased, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report, Child protection in the time of COVID-19, presents child protection data from March to September 2020, covering the 'first wave' of COVID-19 restrictions for Australia, and part of the 'second wave' of restrictions for Victoria. The report includes preliminary data supplied by jurisdictions through an accelerated data sharing process.
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Clinical Governance
None this edition.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
None this edition.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
None this edition.
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E-Health
None this edition.
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Education and Training
20 January
NSW: NSW Health welcomes record number of interns
More than 1,000 interns will begin working in the NSW Health system - a record number of new starters and the most of any state or territory in Australia. 'These junior medical officers join NSW Health at a remarkable time in our history,' Richard Griffiths, Acting Deputy Secretary, NSW Health said. 'They come to us in the middle of an unprecedented, world-wide pandemic and have the unique opportunity to play a vital role in in our extraordinary health system.' Of these positions, 150 belong to the Rural Preferential Recruitment scheme, in which interns undertake the majority of their training in rural hospitals.
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Funding
None this edition.
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Health Professionals
20 January
NSW: NSW Health welcomes record number of interns
More than 1,000 interns will begin working in the NSW Health system - a record number of new starters and the most of any state or territory in Australia. 'These junior medical officers join NSW Health at a remarkable time in our history,' Richard Griffiths, Acting Deputy Secretary, NSW Health said. 'They come to us in the middle of an unprecedented, world-wide pandemic and have the unique opportunity to play a vital role in in our extraordinary health system.' Of these positions, 150 belong to the Rural Preferential Recruitment scheme, in which interns undertake the majority of their training in rural hospitals.
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Hospitals
21 January
VIC: First look at Latrobe Regional Hospital expansion
The Government ensured the Latrobe Valley community has access to the health services they need thanks to a major expansion of Latrobe Regional Hospital. Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley released the final designs for the next stage of the $217 million expansion ensuring families in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley have timely access to world-class medical facilities. The expansion will deliver a new emergency department resuscitation bay, three operating suites, six intensive care unit beds, 44 inpatient beds and a medical imaging and pathology unit.
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18 January
VIC: Milestone for Shepparton Hospital redevelopment
The Victorian Government is ensuring the Goulburn Valley community has access to the health services they need, thanks to a major boost to facilities for Goulburn Valley Health. Victorian Minister Foley visited Shepparton Hospital to officially open the new inpatient unit - providing 74 new hospital beds and expanded emergency facilities. The new inpatient unit includes 10 Critical Care Unit beds to treat the sickest patients, 64 inpatient beds and four new operating theatres. It's part of the Labor Government's $229.3 million redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health.
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15 January
TAS: Hundreds more Tasmanians join the growing queue for surgery
'More Tasmanians are waiting untenable periods for elective surgery and to see a dentist as the state's health crisis continues to worsen under the Tasmanian Government and Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney,' said Tasmanian Shadow Minister for Health Sarah Lovell. 'The release of updated health statistics showed further blow-outs in already unacceptable waiting times in the state's health system, with almost 11,800 Tasmanians on a growing wait list - an increase of 477 between June and September last year. Under this Minister and the Liberal Government, everything is getting worse.'
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Insurance
None this edition.
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Medicare
None this edition.
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Men's Health
None this edition.
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Mental Health
21 January
WA: Two Safe Havens opening to support people with mental health challenges in a first for WA
WA Minister for Mental Health Roger Cook officially announced the opening of Safe Havens at both Royal Perth Hospital and Kununurra Hospital. The Safe Havens are important new services which will provide support for people experiencing mental health distress. Announced in March last year, the WA Government provided $700,000 to the Mental Health Commission for the funding of two Safe Havens in Western Australia. The Safe Havens operate alongside the hospital's emergency departments. Their role is to offer an alternative for people who need support but do not need to be in a busy and stressful emergency department.
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20 January
VIC: Mental health support for Victorian emergency workers
The Victorian Government's Provisional Payments Pilot gives emergency services workers to access payments for mental health support while their WorkCover compensation claim is being determined. If you have a work-related mental health injury, it's important to get treatment early. The pilot is available to eligible current and former emergency workers (including employees and volunteers) who have submitted a compensation claim to their employer for a mental health injury. Within the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety, Corrections Victoria (Corrections and Detention Services) and Youth Justice employees (Correctional and Detention Services) are eligible to participate.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation
None this edition.
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Research
None this edition.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
20 January
NSW: NSW Health welcomes record number of interns
More than 1,000 interns will begin working in the NSW Health system - a record number of new starters and the most of any state or territory in Australia. 'These junior medical officers join NSW Health at a remarkable time in our history,' Richard Griffiths, Acting Deputy Secretary, NSW Health said. 'They come to us in the middle of an unprecedented, world-wide pandemic and have the unique opportunity to play a vital role in in our extraordinary health system.' Of these positions, 150 belong to the Rural Preferential Recruitment scheme, in which interns undertake the majority of their training in rural hospitals.
Download
19 January
Withholding medical care and medicines on Christmas Island is an abuse of human rights
Medical students have called on the Department of Home Affairs to commit to the timely and consistent provision of quality medical care and medicines to the people detained in Christmas Island's immigration facilities. This comes after new footage emerged of protests on Christmas Island in response to inhumane living conditions, including a severe lack of access to medical care. Reports from detainees revealed that medication was withheld from them following protests earlier this year. 'Health care is a human right, not a political tool,' Sophie Keen, President of the Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA), said.
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18 January
NT: Monsoon rains increase the risk of Melioidosis
The NT Department of Health said that recent monsoonal rains in the Top End have increased the threat of the potentially deadly disease, Melioidosis. There are between 40 and 90 cases of the soil-borne disease reported in the Northern Territory each year with the majority diagnosed across the Wet Season between October and May. Dr Vicki Krause, Director of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Top End Health Service said recent heavy rains and the monsoonal weather expected in the coming weeks increased the risk of the disease. Anyone concerned about Melioidosis should visit their local GP or healthcare provider.
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SA: Final round of healthy towns grants now open
Regional and rural communities are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help improve the health and wellbeing of their towns. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said through the SA Healthy Towns Challenge, the Marshall Liberal Government has committed $1 million to support regional communities with local initiatives. 'Many of the risk factors for chronic disease can be prevented or reduced through communities working together to support a healthy environment and we encourage communities to participate in SA's Healthy Towns Challenge,' Minister Wade said.
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Women's Health
19 January
Feedback for new abortion law
Regional residents are being asked for their views on a Draft Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2020. Member for Frome Geoff Brock asked his constituents to contact him with their views about the Bill, which will reform the law relating to pregnancy terminations and regulate the conduct of health practitioners in relation to pregnancy terminations while also making amendments to the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 and the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009. 'Essentially, the new Bill will make abortion a health issue instead of a criminal one, and follows an extensive report by the SA Law Reform Institute in December which recommended that abortion laws be regulated under health law,' Mr Brock said.
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Transcripts
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
21 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: Vaccine roll out, NZ travel bubble, National Incident Centre, National Cabinet, AstraZeneca & Pfizer vaccines, Biden inauguration, Vaccine workforce, TGA, Medicinal cannabis market
Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services Matt Thistlethwaite and Member for Mackellar Jason Falinski
21 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky News
Subjects: Trump legacy, Biden inauguration, Paris Accord, World Health Organisation, Climate change, NBN, Chief Medical Officers, Hot spots, State borders
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
20 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Ray Hadley, 4BC/2GB
Subjects: Regional employment, Drought recovery, COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Hotel quarantine, JobKeeper, JobSeeker, HomeBuilder, Residential building sector, Australia-US relationship
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
20 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Vice President, Dr Chris Moy, by James Valentine, ABC Radio Sydney
Subjects: Coronavirus, Medication shortages, Pharmaceutical supply chains
Department of Health
20 JAN: Transcript of Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd's interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB Radio Breakfast
Subjects: State borders, Coronavirus, Vaccination
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
20 JAN: Transcript of Interview with David Penberthy & Kate Collins, 5AA Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine rollout, Car accident, Hospitals, Public health, US Politics, Australian Open
Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne
19 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Breakfast Show
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine rollout, JobKeeper, Economic recovery, Superannuation, Filming in Canberra
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
19 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine rollout, Car accident, Public health, Hospitals, Federal Election, State borders, Australian Open
Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury Andrew Leigh
19 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Marcus Paul, 2SM
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, JobKeeper, Executive bonuses, Deloitte Business Outlook, Federal election, Business, Taxes, Unemployment
Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Bill Shorten
19 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today Show
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Hospitals, Australian Open, Hotel quarantine, Local travel agents, New South Wales, Private security
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham
18 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Sally Sara, Radio National, Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Australian Open COVID issues, Australian repatriations, COVID-19 vaccine, Hospitals, Australian exports
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham
18 JAN: Transcript of Interview with David Bevan and Ali Clarke, ABC Radio Adelaide Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine, Australian Open, Australian repatriation flights, Hotel quarantine, US politics
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
18 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Neil Mitchell, 3AW
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine, Car accident, Public health, Hospitals, Safe driving, Federal Opposition leadership, Transport
Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors Julie Collins
18 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Hobart
Subjects: Royal Commission into Aged Care, Home care package waitlist, Older Australians, Residential care, Hospital care, Aged care system
Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors Julie Collins
18 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Leon Byner, FIVEAA Mornings
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine, Public health, Home Care Package waitlist, Aged care failures, Aged Care Royal Commission
Senator for New South Wales Senator Tim Ayres
18 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Monte Irvine, 2NZ Inverell
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Inaccurate information, Health advice, Freedom of speech, Prime Minister's leadership
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham
17 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Chris Smith, 2GB Weekends
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine, Additional repatriation flights for Australians, Border closures, Hotel quarantine, JobKeeper, JobSeeker
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
17 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Removal of last remaining hotspot definition, Pfizer vaccine, Australian Open, Hotel quarantine, Chief Medical Officer
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham
16 JAN: Transcript of Press Conference
Subjects: COVID-19, Scheduled repatriation flights, COVID-19 vaccine, Public health, Emirates, Airports, Airlines, Europe
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development Amanda Rishworth and Member for Higgins Kate Allen
16 JAN: Transcript of Interview on ABC Weekend Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Airports, International travel, Airlines, Business, Hospitals, Public health
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Senator for Tasmania Jonathon Duniam and Tasmanian Minister for Local Government Mark Shelton
15 JAN: Transcript of Press Conference, Huonville, Tasmania
Subjects: COVID, Huonville stormwater project, Water infrastructure, China, TAS infrastructure, Fed Election, Hotel quarantine, JobKeeper, US Pigeon
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
14 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Townsville
Subjects: Disaster response and preparation, Australian economy, Coronavirus, Vaccine roll out, Google burying news content, JobSeeker
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Reports
Advice for health procurement teams about therapeutic goods and medical devices - Version 1.0, January 2021
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This guidance is for procurement areas in hospitals, aged care residential facilities and other facilities that procure therapeutic goods. It provides information regarding:
- what is and is not a medical device
- what is an 'exempt' therapeutic good and what is an 'excluded' good
- the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)
- reporting problems with therapeutic goods.
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Pharmacovigilance Obligations Of Medicine Sponsors
Department of Health
The information below provides answers to frequently asked questions in relation to the pharmacovigilance obligations of sponsors of medicines on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). This information should be read in conjunction with the Pharmacovigilance responsibilities of medicine sponsors: Australian recommendations and requirements (the Pharmacovigilance Guidelines).
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Child protection in time of COVID-19
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
Child protection services aim to protect children from abuse and neglect in family settings. In 2019-20, 1 in every 33 Australian children-or 174,700 children-received child protection services, a similar rate to 2018-19 (AIHW forthcoming 2021). Child abuse and neglect can take place behind closed doors, so it is difficult to know how often it occurs. Data on child protection services does not necessarily give an accurate picture of how many children are being abused or neglected, but can provide insight into how often suspected child abuse and neglect is detected.
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Unprofessional behaviour in hospitals
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
The recommendations in this perspective are informed by a short and rapid consultation with our colleagues in senior aged care medical and nursing professional roles within Victoria, Australia. We focus on identifying the priorities for preparation and the emergency management response to widespread outbreaks. Of the multiple priorities that emerged, three were prominent: outbreak management plans, training of staff, and maintaining an adequate workforce.
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SA: South Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Government of South Australia
The design of the SA COVID-19 Vaccination Program is underpinned by the following foundational principles:
- Consumer experience and community confidence;
- Safety and quality;
- Security and management of scarce and valuable vaccine resources; and
-The protection of the broader South Australian community.
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Hansards
None this edition.
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
Federal
Biosecurity (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Preventative Biosecurity Measures - Incoming International Flights) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00062
This package of measures supports the implementation of additional public health measures to strengthen the safeguards in place for international travel. People returning to Australia from overseas currently represent the greatest risk for Australia's management of COVID-19. Increasing numbers of cases of COVID-19 within hotel quarantine facilities, combined with the identification of more transmissible strains of COVID-19 has resulted in a heightened risk for Australia.
Explanatory Statement
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements - Incoming International Flights) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00061
This package of measures supports the implementation of additional public health measures to strengthen the safeguards in place for international travel. People returning to Australia from overseas currently represent the greatest risk for Australia's management of COVID-19. Increasing numbers of cases of COVID-19 within hotel quarantine facilities, combined with the identification of more transmissible strains of COVID-19 has resulted in a heightened risk for Australia.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Permissible Indications) Determination (No. 1) 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00056
The Therapeutic Goods (Permissible Indications) Determination (No. 1) 2021 is a determination made by a delegate of the Minister for Health under section 26BF of the Act. The purpose of the Determination is to specify indications (statements of therapeutic use) that are permitted to be made in relation to medicines listed in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods ('the Register') under section 26A of the Act. These medicines are, principally, listed complementary medicines and a small number of listed over the counter medicines, such as sunscreens.
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Insertion of Testicular Prosthesis) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00053
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Insertion of Testicular Prosthesis) Determination 2021 (the Determination) is to amend the fee for item 30630, which is for the insertion of a testicular prosthesis where the prosthesis is inserted at least six months after an orchidectomy, so that the fee is with parity with the fee for item 45051.
Explanatory Statement
Continence Aids Payment Scheme Amendment (Merits Review) Instrument 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00048
The purpose of the Continence Aids Payment Scheme Amendment (Merits Review) Instrument 2020 (the Instrument) is to provide for merits review of decisions of the Secretary of the Department of Health (the Department) under sections 21 and 22 of the Instrument.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Excluded Goods) Amendment (Software-based Products) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00047
The Therapeutic Goods (Excluded Goods) Determination 2018 is made under section 7AA of the Act. The Principal Determination determines specified goods, including specified goods when used, advertised or presented for supply in a specified manner, to be excluded goods for the purposes of the Act. The Amendment Determination amends the Principal Determination by inserting 15 new items (items 14A to 14O) in Schedule 1.
Explanatory Statement
Australian Capital Territory
Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Hotspots) Emergency Direction 2021 (No 7)
Notifiable Instrument NI2021-28
This instrument alleviates the emergency declared under the Public Health (Emergency) Declaration 2020 (No 1) [NI2020-153] (the declared emergency) on 16 March 2020, to give the directions as set out in the schedule. This instrument commences on 19 January 2021.
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Public Health (Residential Aged Care Facilities) Emergency Direction 2021 (No 1)
Notifiable Instrument NI2021-21
This instrument alleviates the emergency declared under the Public Health (Emergency) Declaration 2020 (No 1) [NI2020-153] (the declared emergency) on 16 March 2020, to give the directions as set out in the schedule. This instrument commences at 11.59pm on 19 January 2021.
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
None this edition.
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Consolidated Legislation
Health Insurance (Allied Health Services) Determination 2014
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00068
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Mental Health Services and Chronic Disease Management) Amendment Determination 2020.
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Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Other Medical Practitioner) Determination 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00061
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Mental Health Services and Chronic Disease Management) Amendment Determination 2020.
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New Bills
None this edition.
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New Acts
None this edition.
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