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)
9 December
Vast majority of Australians want COVID-19 boosters
More than seven-in-10 vaccinated Australians say they will definitely get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot when it is recommended to them, new analysis from the Australian National University (ANU) shows. The survey of more than 3,400 people, the largest longitudinal study on the pandemic in Australia, shows 71.9 per cent of adults will get a booster. Study co-author Professor Nicholas Biddle said that despite the strong showing of support for boosters, some Australians remained hesitant about getting an extra COVID-19 vaccine shot.
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Pharmacists ready with Moderna boosters but services must be sustainable
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the announcement that Moderna's SPIKEVAX vaccine has been provisionally approved as a booster dose for Australians aged 18 years and above. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed that a second vaccine will be available for the National Booster Program. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, acknowledged further enablement of the pharmacist workforce.
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Protecting local vaccine manufacture
As Australia readies itself to open-up to the rest of the world, two major pharmaceutical manufacturers are closing factories and drastically reducing output. Next year the GSK plant in Melbourne is slated to close its doors, while Pfizer has said it will shut up shop at its Perth factory in 2023. As a result, more than 800 advanced manufacturing workers will be out of a job. United Workers Union Allied director Godfrey Moase said that allowing two advanced manufacturing factories to close in the middle of a pandemic was short-sighted.
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QLD: Statement from the Premier
'This is a great day for Queensland. Very few places in the world have got to this level of protection before a COVID wave arrives. The credit for this belongs to each and every Queenslander. But we can't stop here. Let's get to 90 per cent and beyond. Please - get vaccinated,' said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
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QLD: Statement from the Health Minister
'Queensland's border will reopen from next Monday, 13 December, so families and loved ones can re-unite. While this will mean a rise in COVID-19 cases, Queensland's high vaccination rate means we are well prepared. The Queensland Government recognises the vital role business, industry, unions and the community sector will play in making sure we reopen safely,' said Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath.
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8 December
TGA approves booster doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, SPIKEVAX
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved a booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, SPIKEVAX, for individuals 18 years and older. The provisional approval means that individuals aged 18 years and older may receive a booster (third dose), at least six months after the completion of a COVID-19 vaccine primary series. This primary series can be of any of the COVID-19 vaccines registered for use in Australia, although data on the use of SPIKEVAX as a booster with other COVID-19 vaccines is more limited.
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Pfizer email proves Government misled about vaccine efforts
'Additional emails from Pfizer released under FOI show when the country needed leadership, Scott Morrison was too slow to act. Scott Morrison continues to lie to Australians and pretend 'every effort' was made to secure vaccine supplies. Australians know this wasn't true. You can't trust the Prime Minister to be honest with Australians about the vaccine rollout,' said Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler.
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TAS: Keeping Tasmanian children safe from COVID-19
The Tasmanian Government has a strong track record of delivering vaccination programs across the State with nearly 95 per cent of Tasmanians aged 16 and over having received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Following the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) announcement that they have provisionally approved the Pfizer vaccine in Australia for children aged 5 to 11, the Government will now take every step possible to ensure that we can vaccinate this cohort as quickly as possible. The choice to vaccinate children in this cohort - while strongly recommended - is entirely voluntary, and will not be mandated, said Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein.
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7 December
Snapchat and Match Group join Australia's vaccine rollout
Big businesses, such as Match Group (which owns apps such as Tinder, Hinge and OKCupid) and Snapchat, have used innovative means through their social media platforms to encourage people to get vaccinated, said the Department of Health. Augmented reality creative tools exclusively developed by Snapchat encourage people to get vaccinated, to celebrate getting their vaccine with their friends, and more. The Australian Government has also entered into significant partnerships with major sporting events across the country to further promote vaccination uptake, including partnerships with AFL, NRL, Cricket Australia, the Spring Racing Carnival and more recently Supercars at Bathurst 1000.
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Committee to examine workplace vaccine requirements with ATAGI
The House Employment, Education and Training Committee will hold a public hearing with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) as it continues to examine how COVID-19 pandemic responses, including vaccine requirements and mandates, are affecting the workplace and may impact the Fair Work Commission.
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6 December
Failure to vaccinate the world created perfect breeding ground for Omicron
Campaigners from the People's Vaccine Alliance said the refusal of pharmaceutical companies to openly share their vaccine science and technology, and the lack of action from rich countries to ensure access to vaccines globally have created the perfect breeding ground for new variants such as Omicron. The People's Vaccine Alliance, which has over 80 members including the African Alliance, Oxfam and UNAIDS, are calling for pharmaceutical firms and rich nations to change course before it is too late.
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NT: Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
The Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet said that a false-positive test has been confirmed for the female who arrived in Darwin on Jetstar flight JQ 692 from Adelaide on 2 December. She has returned a subsequent negative test and is no longer required to quarantine. A male in his 50s with COVID-19 is currently in a stable condition in ICU at the RDH. There are currently 161 active close contacts for cluster two, all of whom have been contacted, are isolating and have returned a negative test.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 208 new cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant in NSW. Five cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 83,132. There are currently 152 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 24 people in intensive care, five of whom require ventilation. There were 61,132 COVID-19 tests reported, compared with the previous day's total of 66,671.
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QLD: Queensland Borders re-open
Queensland Premier Palaszczuk has announced Queensland borders will re-open to domestic hotspots from 1am, Monday December 13. The Premier said nominating a time and a date provides certainty for everyone. 'Queensland's Plan to Reunite Families had nominated December 17 as the target to re- open,' the Premier said. 'It is clear we will reach our target of 80% fully vaccinated much sooner although exactly when is difficult to predict.' Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath said it was a matter of when, not if, the virus began circulating more widely in Queensland.
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QLD: Public Health Alert - new exposure sites in Cairns
The Queensland Department of Health said that a public health alert is being issued for new contact tracing locations in Cairns. This relates to passengers who flew from Sydney to Cairns on flight JQ950 and those who accessed locations in Cairns Domestic Airport on December 3. This is a timely reminder for all Queenslanders to regularly monitor the list of exposure venues on the Queensland Health website and follow the public health advice, as there may be more locations. A reminder for all Queenslanders, no matter where you live - if you have any COVID-19 symptoms at any time, no matter how mild, you should immediately get tested for COVID- 19.
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4 December
Statement from a spokesperson for Adam Bandt
Greens Leader Adam Bandt spokesperson said that: 'A fully vaccinated staff member on Adam Bandt's team, who was in Canberra during the last sitting week, has tested positive to COVID. They are currently working with ACT Health to determine whether they were infectious while in Canberra. Other members of the team have been tested and returned negative results. Mr Bandt has been tested and is isolating until he receives a result. He is fully vaccinated and not symptomatic. Parliament House has been notified and ACT Health is currently investigating.'
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Aged Care
9 December
New COVID survey data for researchers: coming soon
Over the past 12 months, the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study has conducted rapid online surveys to understand how the pandemic has impacted the health of older Australians. This valuable data will be made available to researchers in 2022. With a large sample size of more than 30,000 recipients, the COVID Insights surveys offer one of the most reliable sources of evidence on community experiences and attitudes relevant to COVID-19 in Australia. Supported by a NSW Government grant, these surveys are being used to understand the ongoing effect of the COVID pandemic on people across NSW, and support policy, planning and research into health and wellbeing.
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8 December
VIC: Dementia friendly aged care facilities open in Edenhope
The Government is continuing to deliver more high-quality public sector aged care services for older Victorians, with the official opening of a new $6.3 million dementia friendly unit in Edenhope. The multi-million-dollar project includes 18 high care residential aged care beds complete with ensuites, situated around a central courtyard and landscaped gardens next to the existing low care facility at Edenhope District and Memorial Hospital. Based on best practice principles for dementia-specific care, the new unit provides a safe, home-like environment adaptable to individual residents' needs, said Victorian Minister for Aged Care Anthony Carbines and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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7 December
WA: Carnarvon's $19.9 million Gnullingoo Mia Residential Care officially opens
WA Minister for Health Roger Cook has officially opened Carnarvon's $19.9 million Gnullingoo Mia residential aged and palliative care home. This new aged care home has been integrated with the existing hospital to ensure residents have access to skilled aged care assessment, older patient initiatives and subacute programs, education and telegeriatrician services, while feeling comfortable, supported and at home. The new building has more than doubled the capacity of the old aged care home, has the capacity for up to 38 beds and provides on-site accommodation for couples and family members visiting their loved ones.
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6 December
Actuaries Institute said funding for Aged Care presents significant challenges for Government and consumers
The Actuaries Institute issued a Green Paper that called for a considered conversation about funding of the Aged Care system as costs over the next 30 years are projected to peak earlier and higher than set out in the Government's Intergenerational Report, with the pressure most acute in the coming two decades. The Institute's Green Paper, 'Aged Care Funding: Assessing the Options and Implications', finds a potential challenge in Commonwealth Government funding at 2040/41 with a short fall of about $9 billion in 2020/21 dollars (nearly 0.4% of GDP), notwithstanding the significant additional funding announced this year.'
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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
8 December
VIC: Helping kids see clearly with glasses milestone
One thousand more Victorian students can now see more clearly and concentrate better at school, thanks to the Government's free Glasses for Kids program. Victorian Minister for Education James Merlino announced the 1000th pair of free glasses have been prescribed to a student at Rochester Primary School in the Shire of Campaspe. One of 16 students at his school to receive free vision screening and testing at school, Grade 2 student Charlie Holland received his new glasses alongside six classmates.
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6 December
Health and medical experts call for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised to at least 14
Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and Australian Medical Association (AMA) said that leading health and medical organisations in Australia said they will not stop pushing for the law to reflect medical science, and for governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14. In an open letter, a coalition of 30 health and medical organisations has called on all state and territory Premiers, Health Ministers and Attorneys-General to urgently raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14 years of age. In 2019-2020, there were 499 children under the age of 14 incarcerated across Australia. Australia has become internationally isolated in its refusal to raise the age from 10 to 14.
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Clinical Governance
9 December
Healthcare during the pandemic: latest Australian research highlights lessons for 2022
'The latest issue of the Australian Health Review, the academic journal of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA), reflects on the delivery of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers many lessons for 2022 and beyond,' said Editor-in- Chief, Professor Sonj Hall. 'As events over the last week have highlighted the need to achieve global vaccine equity, in a policy reflection, Jane Halton notes the need for immediate investment in pandemic preparedness to prevent a reoccurrence of the global effects of COVID-19.'
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Action to streamline Closing the Gap Co- Payments
With the implementation of the changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Co-payment Closing the Gap (CTG) program that came into effect in July 2021, a period of grace for pharmacy claims is in place until the end of January 2022 to rectify some issues arising from the program changes. From mid-2021, CTG annotation is recommended but no longer mandatory. Eligible CTG patients must be registered with Services Australia to be able to have CTG PBS prescriptions dispensed, said the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. People previously registered for CTG were automatically transferred to the Services Australia database ready for the change.
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8 December
ACCC to authorise coordinated health provider response to COVID in South Australia
The ACCC proposes to authorise the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing (the Department) to permit them to coordinate with various health service providers, in order to maximise the effectiveness of their response to the continued COVID-19 pandemic. The Department seeks authorisation to allow coordination between itself (including public hospitals and other public healthcare facilities) and various participating healthcare providers, with a view to having those providers supplying resources and services to the overall response to issues arising from COVID-19.
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3 December
QLD: New Health Ombudsman appointed
Dr Lynne Coulson Barr OAM has been appointed Queensland's new Health Ombudsman. Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath said Dr Coulson Barr brings strong skills and experience to the role. 'Dr Lynne Coulson Barr joins us from Victoria, where she most recently was the inaugural Mental Health Complaints Commissioner,' Minister D'Ath said. 'She has a distinguished career in statutory complaint leadership roles, and has extensive experience in the disability, mental health and health sectors. 'The work Dr Coulson Barr has completed throughout her career has made her nationally and internationally renowned.'
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
6 December
Clarification on NDIS AAT applications
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) would like to clarify discussion around the number of Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) applications. The number of AAT applications represents a very small number of the more than 480,000 NDIS participants benefitting from the Scheme, with the increase in total AAT cases a result of the continued growth in participant numbers during this period. It's important to note the number of participants in the Scheme grew by almost 20 per cent during the past financial year. The number of applications has remained steady as a proportion of the overall number of participants in the Scheme at between 0.43 and 0.45% since 2017-18 (to 30 June 2021).
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New domestic violence resources launched for people with disability
People with Disability Australia helping women and children with disability access domestic and family violence services and information about dealing with sexual assault and abuse is the focus of three new Easy Read resources and several new videos launched to mark this year's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Developed by peak national disability rights and advocacy organisation People with Disability Australia (PWDA), the resources and videos were created as part of PWDA's Building Access project, an innovative initiative enabling domestic and family violence (DFV) services to better meet the needs of women and children with disability.
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3 December
Landmark strategy to support Australians with disability
A transformative new strategy supported by targeted action plans and a robust outcomes framework will help drive change for people with disability over the next decade. Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031 would be supported by a $250 million investment by the Government to break down barriers for the 4.4 million Australians with disability. 'People with disability deserve to have the same opportunities as all other Australians,' Minister Ruston said. 'Our focus must be on the ability and capability of each and every person so that people with disability can contribute and thrive in the classroom, workplace and community.
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International Day of People With Disability
Shadow Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten said that: 'Today is International Day of People with Disability and I want all Australians living with disabilities to know Labor has their backs. Today is a special day and we need to not only celebrate the progress that Australians living with disabilities have made, but we must also seek to ensure the gains made do not come under attack. The theme for this year's IDPWD is 'Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era'. The Morrison Government has chosen today to release details of its new National Disability Strategy.'
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Greens announce accessible Australia plan - trains, beaches, public institutions to be made accessible
Disabled person and spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services Senator Jordon Steele-John has announced the Australian Greens have released a plan to improve the lives of 4 million disabled people across the country. Australian Greens Spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services Senator Steele-John said: 'Right now, disabled people face many systemic barriers. Decisions that impact our lives are made without us everyday. Public buildings and public transport are built to be inaccessible, workplaces aren't equipped to support us, adequate housing isn't available and information is provided in formats that don't meet our needs.'
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
None this edition.
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E-Health
None this edition.
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Education and Training
None this edition.
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Funding
None this edition.
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Health Professionals
9 December
TAS: Health system needs adequate staffing ready for border opening
Tasmanian Shadow Minister for Health Anita Dow said with the health system at breaking point, shortfalls on shifts now and health care professionals working overtime the government must explain what resources and support will be provided to staff as they face even more demand once there are COVID cases in the community. 'Today we heard the disturbing story of the state of our health system, with police having to respond to an unresponsive child on Tuesday night in Glenorchy due to the closest ambulance being an hour away in Oatlands,' Ms Dow said.
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7 December
TAS: Concerns over health staffing numbers must be addressed
Key concerns regarding adequate staffing to support the Government's health preparedness plan are yet to be addressed, just eight days out from the border reopening. Tasmanian Shadow Minister Dow said while the government had outlined its plan, it was yet to outline the additional staff required to support the extra beds, ventilators and the COVID@home program. 'We are just over a week out from our borders reopening and the ANMF have quite rightly raised concerns about staffing requirements,' Ms Dow said.
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6 December
Invest in Public Health Workforce now, before the next pandemic hits
Chief Health Officers and public health leaders from across Australia will on 7 December outline their ideas for the future of Australia's Public Health Workforce in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a nearly spent workforce, and upheaval in the university sector. Dr Kerry Chant PSM (NSW), Prof Brett Sutton (VIC) and Dr James Smith (QLD) among others will focus their attention on ensuring the development of the future public health experts, in a forum organised by the Public Health Association of Australia in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM).
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Hospitals
8 December
DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 87/21 Second-tier updates - Notice of new or amended hospital declaration status and/or second-tier default benefit eligibility - Following hospitals have been approved for second-tier
7 December
DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 86/21 Private Hospital Declaration - Notice of new or amended hospital declaration status and/or second-tier default benefit eligibility - Harley Day Surgery
QLD : report reveals state of Queensland Hospitals
A report released by the Auditor-General has exposed the state of Queensland's health system. The State Government is failing Queenslanders waiting to see a specialist for surgical or medical care. The report shows despite spending $600 million since taking office, the State Government has overseen half a decade of decline in waiting times. The number of category two and category three patients seen within clinically recommended times is sliding to historical new lows. Queensland Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli and Queensland Shadow Minister for Health Ros Bates said the job of a good government was to plan for future growth and to properly fund hospitals.
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VIC: Construction in full swing at Ararat Hospital
The Victorian Government is delivering the best healthcare for families in the Grampians with more than $8.7 million in upgrades at East Grampians Health Service's Ararat Hospital on track to be finished by mid next year. Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley visited Ararat Hospital for a first look at the multi-million-dollar project which will redevelop and expand the hospital's theatre, radiology and pathology services, and relocate palliative care services. Funded through the Government's Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), the theatre redevelopment will increase East Grampians Health Service's perioperative capability - reducing waiting lists in the region.
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3 December
ACT: Improving care for cancer patients at Canberra Hospital
More Canberra Hospital cancer inpatients will receive treatment in completely refurbished surroundings following the opening of the second stage of the hospital's cancer ward upgrades. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith opened Ward 14B, providing an updated patient and family friendly ward for oncology patients - part of a major program of infrastructure works across the Canberra Hospital campus. 'The refurbished ward adds to our modernised cancer precinct at Canberra Hospital, including the treatment and consultation spaces at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre' Minister Stephen-Smith said.
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Insurance
9 December
Health funds must exercise caution when calculating COVID-19 relief for policyholders
Insurers have continued to return profits gained from a reduction in claims during the COVID-19 pandemic to policyholders, but ongoing restrictions in some states delayed the full return of these profits in 2020-21, the latest ACCC annual report into the private health insurance industry has found. This year's private health insurance average premium increase was the lowest since 2001 at 2.74 per cent. Cumulative premium increases over the past five years to June 2021 continue to outpace wage growth, with average premium increases being more than double inflation (CPI) during the same period.
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Medicare
None this edition.
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Men's Health
None this edition.
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Mental Health
8 December
National study confirms importance of mental health services
Initial results from the first national survey of mental health and wellbeing in 14 years has confirmed the growing importance of mental health services, with Australians seeking mental health support more than ever before. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the results from the first cohort of the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, which collected data from over 5,500 people aged 16 to 85 years from December 2020 to July 2021, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman.
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Better access for Canberrans seeking mental health support
Canberrans seeking assistance for their mental health will have another centre providing high quality support with the opening of the Canberra Head to Health Centre. Minister Hunt, Assistant Minister Coleman and ACT Senator Zed Seselja welcomed the opening of the Centre, located in Deakin, ACT.
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VIC: More mental health services for young Victorians
The Government is making sure no young Victorian experiencing mental health concerns falls through the cracks, with a huge investment in targeted mental health outreach to provide the personalised care children and young adults need. Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino visited Alfred Health's Child and Youth Mental Health Service to announce the Government will deliver $16.3 million to expand the Mobile Targeted Assertive Outreach mental health teams statewide, supporting more than 560 extra young Victorians every year.
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VIC: Victorians shaping the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act
Hundreds of Victorians have had their say on the Government's new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act, which will enshrine recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System into law and help build the state's new mental health system. The Royal Commission set out a 10-year vision for creating a balanced, flexible, and responsive system that delivers individualised care for every Victorian who needs it, with a key recommendation that the Mental Health Act 2014 be replaced with a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act by mid-2022, said Victorian Minister Merlino.
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7 December
Nats boost suicide prevention support
The NSW Nationals in the Federal Government are increasing suicide prevention grants to organisations across the country to help reduce Australia's suicide rate. Organisations in Cowper can now apply for funding through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program Grant Opportunity, with $114 million available for national projects that will raise awareness of the impact of suicide and support Australians who are at risk. Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Australians is a national priority and something the Federal Government is deeply committed to.
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VIC: Documents reveal Minister's negligence after loss of Victorian lives
Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said that: 'Evidence has emerged that Minister for Mental Health was told of Victorians taking their own lives due to COVID-related stressors - but failed to act. A Ministerial briefing note obtained by the Liberals and Nationals under Freedom of Information (FOI) has revealed the Health Department warned Mental Health Minister James Merlino in early June 2021 that lockdown measures were having an adverse impact on mental health. Coming as Victorians entered their fourth lockdown, the Department noted evidence of two suicides following the recent lockdown in the context of loss of employment.'
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6 December
TAS: Second Tasmanian Suicide Register report released
Tasmania Minister Health Jeremy Rockliff said that this significant report will inform the next Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy, to be developed in 2022, to help more Tasmanians into the future. The Report uses data from the Tasmanian Suicide Register and provides an in-depth analysis of the 505 deaths reported to, and investigated by, Tasmanian coroners from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2018. They each had people who loved and cared about them - people who now miss them and grieve their loss.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation
7 December
Low levels of contamination with 1-methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is investigating potential contamination of rifampicin medicines with very low levels of the nitrosamine impurity, 1-methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine (MeNP or MNP). Rifampicin, marketed in Australia as Rifadin and Rimycin, is an antibiotic prescription medicine. Rifampicin is an essential, first-line medicine for the treatment of tuberculosis. Rifampicin is also used to treat or prevent other serious infections including blood infections and leprosy.
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6 December
Call for comment on food made from a genetically modified wheat
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) called for comment on an application to allow the sale and use of food made from a genetically modified (GM) wheat. FSANZ interim CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the application seeks approval to permit food derived from wheat line IND-00412-7 which has been genetically modified to provide drought and herbicide tolerance. 'If approved, food made from this type of GM wheat could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in products including flour, bread, pasta and biscuits.' Dr Cuthbert said.
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Pharmacists ready to immunise Australian children against COVID-19
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomed the provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine for Australian children. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved Pfizer's COMIRNATY vaccine for children above the age of five years, with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) soon to consider the advice. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said immunity in the nation's youth is the missing link in the vaccination strategy and pharmacists are ready to protect this important group.
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5 December
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine (COMIRNATY) provisionally approved for use in individuals 5 years and over
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY, for use in individuals 5 years and older. This decision follows the provisional approvals granted by the TGA to Pfizer for the use of COMIRNATY in individuals 12 years and older on 22 July 2021 and the booster dose for use in adults 18 years and older on 26 October 2021. As for other age groups, the use of this vaccine in children aged 5-11 years should be given in two doses at least 3 weeks apart. However, a lower dose (10 micrograms) will be given to children aged 5-11 years, compared to that used for individuals 12 years of age and older (30 micrograms).
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3 December
Minister for Health pursued a long-term vision for Australia's healthcare
The Consumers Health Forum thanked the Minister for Health Greg Hunt for his service to healthcare especially during the challenges of the COVID pandemic and the national vaccination rollout. 'Minister Hunt has progressed a forward-thinking vision for Australia's healthcare system,' the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum (CHF), Leanne Wells, said. Minister Hunt, who has held the health portfolio since 2017, will retire from Parliament at the next Federal Election in 2022 to spend more time with his family.
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ATAGI statement on SAR-CoV-2 Omicron variant and COVID-19 booster doses
The Department of Health said that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has noted the emergence of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, which has been named the Omicron variant. At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that earlier booster doses of current COVID-19 vaccines will augment protection against the Omicron variant. ATAGI will continue to closely monitor the epidemiology and emerging data on the likely impact of vaccination on this variant and update recommendations in the near future.
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Research
8 December
QLD: Health experts on mission to show that curiosity cures
Some of Queensland's brightest medical minds will share almost $2.7 million in grants for research projects aimed at preventing illness, improving patient care, and saving lives. Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath announced the successful applicants of Round 3 of the Queensland Advancing Clinical Research Fellowships (CRF). 'Health research knows no bounds; the opportunities are endless,' she said.
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VIC: Record support for breakthrough mRNA Research
Victoria is leading the nation in mRNA research to fast-track sovereign manufacturing and health-care breakthroughs, announcing the largest ever dedicated mRNA research grant program seen in Australia. Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford unveiled the $21 million mRNA Victoria Activation Program (mAP) which will support bold ideas to grow Victoria's RNA research, development and manufacturing capability. mAP grants will provide broad-based support to grow the RNA ecosystem, including support for clinical research and projects to develop enabling technology such as artificial intelligence, next-generation manufacturing, safety testing and alternative vaccine delivery methods.
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6 December
Covid-19 guidelines for treatment of older people and those needing palliative care
The National COVID-19 Clinical Care Taskforce has produced guidance for practitioners on the delivery of two pathways of quality geriatric and palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. A summary of the new guidelines is published by the Medical Journal of Australia, and is authored by the Taskforce's Care of Older People and Palliative Care Panel, led by Ms Saskia Cheyne, a Senior Evidence Analyst with the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Sydney, and Research Fellow at Monash University. 'Older people living with frailty and/or cognitive impairment who have COVID-19 experience higher rates of critical illness,' Cheyne and colleagues wrote.
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Symptomatic breast hypertrophy: Access to breast reduction surgery needs improvement
Health care systems in all Australian states should support access to breast reduction surgery for both private and public patients with symptomatic breast hypertrophy, a procedure that is currently regarded by policy makers as non-therapeutic. Research, published by the Medical Journal of Australia, has shown that breast reduction for women with symptomatic breast hypertrophy indicated that it is cost-effective for improving their health-related quality of life. The authors, led by Dr Tamara Crittenden, a medical scientist from the Flinders Medical Centre, analysed data from adult women with symptomatic breast hypertrophy who were assessed for bilateral breast reduction at the Flinders Medical Centre, between April 2007 and February 2018.
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Blood pressure control rates must be improved
Of Australians with raised blood pressure, only 32% of them have their hypertension under control, prompting an urgent call for the establishment of a national taskforce to double the current control rates. Raised blood pressure is the leading cause of death, and by improving control, the risks of coronary heart disease, dementia, and cerebrovascular disease will be substantially reduced. Writing in the Medical Journal of Australia, Professor Alta Schutte, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at UNSW Sydney and a Professorial Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, and colleagues, said Australia was lagging behind other countries.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
9 December
New measures a step in the right direction for rural health
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has welcomed the Federal Government's MYEFO announcement to help boost the rural medical workforce, saying it should help attract the next generation of doctors to the bush. One new initiative will see junior doctors (who have completed their initial intern year and two following postgraduate years) receive significant reductions, and even the elimination, of their remaining Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt once they have served a prescribed period in remote and rural locations.
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HECS debt to be wiped for young docs who go bush
Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has applauded the Minister for Rural Health for announcing an incentive program which will attract graduate doctors to head to medical practices in remote, regional and rural towns, praising the program as the 'dangling carrot' many desperate towns have been waiting for. The program will see HECS debts wiped under a new federal government plan to incentivise young doctors by using the Monash Model to determine the duration of service required at regional, rural or remote locations before the HECS debt is cleared.
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8 December
SA: Rural Aboriginal health workforce plan launches
A plan to strengthen and grow the Aboriginal health workforce in regional areas has been released, as part of the SA Government's Rural Health Workforce Strategy. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Rural Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan aims to help ensure the state attracts, recruits and strengthens the regional Aboriginal health workforce, while continuing to deliver world-class care in the regions. 'Growing the Aboriginal health workforce in rural South Australia is vital for delivering culturally responsive health services and improving the health and wellbeing of our Aboriginal communities,' said Minister Wade.
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SA: My Home Hospital in the Hills
For the first time ever, residents in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker regions will have access to hospital-level care from the comfort and privacy of their own homes, with the expansion of the SA Government's My Home Hospital program. SA Minister Wade said since launching earlier this year, more than 1,600 South Australians have received care from My Home Hospital. 'Nearly 300 of these South Australians were residents in aged care facilities, who avoided potentially unnecessary trips to an Emergency Department or hospital admissions, freeing up beds for others who needed them,' Minister Wade said.
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7 December
Goulburn Valley welcomes first medical intake
The University of Melbourne's rural pathway medical school program at Shepparton is set to welcome its first intake next year, taking students a step closer to becoming rural doctors and helping to address Australia's longstanding rural doctor shortage. Shepparton offers one of five rural-based medical school programs established under the Federal Government's Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network. The Network is a key initiative in the Government's commitment to tackle the rural doctor shortage and improve the distribution of the medical workforce through the establishment of rurally based medical school programs, said Member for Nicholls Damian Drum and Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie.
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Praise for Shepparton's COVID-19 Response
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum and Minister Gillespie have praised Goulburn Valley Health for its role in containing Shepparton's recent COVID-19 outbreak. 'I want to specifically mention chief executive Matt Sharp and his staff for the role they played in getting the outbreak under control,' Dr Gillespie said. 'I also want to recognise the hard work of your teams, especially those receptionists, nurses and practice support staff who have really been on the frontline in their efforts to help get the community vaccinated - everyone stepped up to the plate.'
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WA: Carnarvon Health Campus welcomes state-of-the-art CT scanner
Carnarvon residents have access to world-class diagnostic imaging technology with a new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner now fully operational at Carnarvon Health Campus. The rollout of the state-of-the-art Siemens Healthcare CT scanner in Carnarvon, along with similar machines in Narrogin and Esperance, is part of a $2 million upgrade to systems to help put patients in regional Western Australia at the forefront of innovation in rural and remote healthcare, said WA Minister for Health Roger Cook.
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6 December
Rural doctors thanked outgoing Minister for Health for his tireless work
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) thanked outgoing Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Greg Hunt, for his strong leadership throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and for his dedicated service to health over his four years in the portfolio. Dr Megan Belot, RDAA President, said that Minister Hunt had shown great concern for, and dedication to, ensuring rural Australians have access to quality healthcare, particularly throughout COVID-19. 'Minister Hunt was very concerned that all Australians continued to be able to access health care through this very difficult time,' Dr Belot said.
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5 December
NSW: Service boost for regional healthcare
Regional communities will benefit from a $98.3 million health services boost to support local and visiting frontline health workers as part of a record investment into more health services and infrastructure in the bush. NSW Premier Perrottet, NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard announced three new initiatives which aim to attract more health workers to regional NSW and support rural and regional patients who need to travel to access care.
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3 December
Goulburn Hospital delivers first-class care
The Southern Tablelands community will benefit from a major upgrade of hospital services with the official opening of Goulburn Hospital's clinical services building. Premier Perrottet, Deputy Premier Toole, Minister Hazzard and Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman marked the milestone, which is part of the $165 million Goulburn Hospital and Health Service redevelopment. 'We're making record investments in our health system across our State to ensure that no matter where you live in NSW you will have access to the best healthcare services,' Mr Perrottet said.
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Women's Health
None this edition.
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Transcripts
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
09 DEC: Transcript of Press Conference, Charlemont
Subjects: Election, First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, HomeBuilder program, Vaccination rate, New Home Guarantee, Family Home Guarantee
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce
09 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Laura Jayes, AM Agenda, Sky News Australia
Subjects: Positive to COVID-19, Omicron Strain, AUKUS, UK diplomacy discussions, Impact of lockdowns, Vaccinations, Booster shots
Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie
09 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Marcus Paul, 2SM Morning
Subjects: Incentivising graduates to work outside metro areas, Teacher shortage, Doctor shortage, Financial incentives, General practitioners
Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie
09 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Katie Wolf, Mix 104.9 Darwin
Subjects: Medical workforce, HELP debt reduction, Doctors and nurse, General practitioner, Northern Territory, HECS debt
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
09 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News
Subjects: Vaccine roll-out, Omicron variant, Education sector, Ministerial arrangements, Queensland borders opening, National Plan
Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten
10 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Sylvia Jeffrey & Gareth Parker, Today Show
Subjects: Pfizer vaccine approved for 5 to 11 year olds, Vaccination rates, Re-opening plans, Taipan helicopters, Australian Open, NZ cigarette ban
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman
08 DEC: Transcript of Press Conference, Penshurst
Subjects: Mental health, Social media, Impact on young women, Cyber abuse, Social media legislation, China, 2022 Winter Olympics, ICAC, Vaccine rollout, Borders
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
08 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise, Channel 7
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccines for children, Crypto-currency, Beijing Winter Olympics boycott, Buy-now-pay-later schemes
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
08 DEC: Transcript of Press Conference, Melbourne
Subjects: Very Special Kids, Moderna booster shot, Omicron variant, TGA, ATAGI, Booster program
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
07 DEC: Transcript of Interview with President, Dr Omar Khorshid, with Natalie Barr, Sunrise
Subjects: Big differences in rebates paid by insurers for same medical procedure, Private Health Insurance Report Card
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
07 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky Afternoon Agenda
Subjects: Economy, QLD border reopening, Public health, Cost of living, Wage growth, Vaccination rates
Shadow Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen
06 DEC: Transcript of Address to the National Press Club, Canberra
Subjects: First Nations people, Climate change, Inequality, Climate policy, Renewable energy, Economic complexity, Future Made in Australia Skills Plan
Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services Matt Thistlethwaite
06 DEC: Transcript of Interview with Sharri Markson, Sky News
Subjects: TGA / vaccine for children, Omicron variant, Federal Opposition's Powering Australia plan, Penalty rates, US / China, Government campaigns
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong
06 DEC: Transcript of Interview with David Bevan, ABC Adelaide Mornings
Subjects: SA Health border requirements, Powering Australia Plan, Prime Minister's track record, Federal Opposition's plan for a better future
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
05 DEC: Transcript of Interview with David Speers, ABC Insiders
Subjects: Federal Opposition's climate policy, Emission reduction, Federal election, Technology investment roadmap, Safeguards mechanism, Vaccination, Economy
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
05 DEC: Speech at the West Ashfield Leagues Club - 'Labor's Plan for a Better Future'
Subjects: Federal election, Renewable energy, Climate action, Skills and education capital of Asia, Secure work, Child care, Medicare
Minister for Health Greg Hunt and the Department of Health
03 DEC: Transcript of Press Conference with Federal Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, Canberra
Subjects: Funding into COVID protection measures, Omicron variant, Vaccination booster program, ATAGI
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Reports
Employ My Ability
Department of Social Services
This Strategy focuses on removing these barriers, so that workplaces are inclusive, and people with disability can thrive in their careers. People with disability include, but are not restricted to, those who have long-term physical, mental, cognitive, intellectual or sensory impairments. This Strategy recognises people with disability are diverse and have different experiences, backgrounds and points of view. This diversity needs to be understood, acknowledged and celebrated.
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Advisory Committee on Vaccines
Department of Health
Section A: Submissions for registration
The committee provided advice on one application for a major variation (dosage) and changes to the Product Information for a vaccine with provisional registration. Further details of the ACV discussion and advice associated with these pre-market items may be released within the Australian Public Assessment Report (AusPAR). Please note that there is a delay between when an application is considered by the ACV and the publication of the AusPAR. To browse all AusPARs see AusPAR search.
Section B: Safety
The committee was not asked to provide advice on any safety matter.
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COVID-19 vaccine information for children, teens and parents/guardians
Department of Health
The Corminaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines are approved and recommended for people aged 12 and older. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Comirnaty Paediatric (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds on 5 December 2021. Subject to ATAGI advice, it is expected a vaccination program for 5 to 11 year olds will commence in from 10 January 2022.
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Adalimumab
Department of Health
This AusPAR describes the application by Alphapharma Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to register Hulio (adalimumab) 20 mg/0.4 mL and 40 mg/0.8 mL, solution for injection.
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Second report on the operation and effectiveness of COVIDSafe and the National COVIDSafe Data Store
Department of Health
From 26 April 2020 to 15 November 2021, 7,763,991 people have registered to use the COVIDSafe app. For the period of this report, 345,663 people have registered for the COVIDSafe app. Since its launch, 792 COVIDSafe users, who tested positive for COVID-19, have consented to upload their COVIDSafe data to the NCDS. This has resulted in more than 1.65 million digital handshakes uploaded to the NCDS, and 2,829 potential close contacts identified from more than 37,600 encounters.
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Kerendia
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The Australian Prescription Medicine Decision Summary provides a short overview of the TGA's evaluation process leading to the registration of a new prescription medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). More in-depth information about the evaluation will be available in the Australian Public Assessment Report (AusPAR) for a particular prescription medicine, which can be found on the AusPAR search page once published.
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Australian public assessment report for Elasomeran (mRNA-1273)
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Individuals 18 years of age and older Spikevax is administered intramuscularly as a single booster dose (0.25 mL; 50 micrograms) at least 6 months after completing a primary series. The decision when and for whom to implement a booster (third dose) of Spikevax should be made based on available vaccine safety and effectiveness data (see sections 4.4 Special warning and precautions for use and 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties), in accordance with official recommendations.
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Reclassification of medical devices that administer medicines or biologicals by inhalation - Guidance on the transitional arrangements and obligations - Version 1.1, November 2021
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
In early 2019 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) conducted a public consultation seeking feedback on a proposal to reclassify medical devices that administer medicines or biologicals by inhalation. The proposed regulatory changes supported the commitment made in the Australian Government Response to the Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation to align Australian medical device regulations, where possible and appropriate, with the European Union framework.
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Extemporaneous Compounding of Emergency Medicines
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking feedback on a proposal to help facilitate patient access to critical medicines. Timely access to critical medicines is essential for medical professionals and their patients, particularly in acute-care settings. The TGA is seeking your feedback on proposed regulatory reforms to support hospital pharmacists to extemporaneously compound certain medicines in advance of a patient being identified, so they can be available for immediate use in an emergency.
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Australian Public Assessment for Regdanvimab
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This AusPAR describes the application by Celltrion Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd. (the sponsor) to register Regkirona (regdanvimab) 60 mg/mL, concentrate for solution for infusion for the following proposed indication: Regkirona has provisional approval for the treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adult patients who are confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2.
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Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (Pbac) Intracycle Meeting Agenda December 2021 Pbac Intracycle Meeting
Department of Health and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
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First insights from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-21
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
In 2020-21 the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted the first cohort of the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW), a component of the wider Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study (IHMHS). Information collected in the NSMHW will be used to help understand the mental health of Australians, including their use of services and their social and economic circumstances.
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Births, Australia, 2020
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
There were 294,369 registered births in 2020, a decrease of 3.7% from 2019. For all Australian women, the total fertility rate was 1.58 births per woman. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the total fertility rate was 2.25 births per woman.
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Draft Determination Application for revocation of authorisation AA1000480 and the substitution of authorisation AA1000571
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The ACCC proposes to grant re-authorisation to the National Pharmaceutical Services Association (the NPSA), its current and future members and other Community Service Obligation Distributors (together the Participants) and certain manufacturers of Medicines and Pharmacy Products, to enable them to coordinate activities for the purpose of promoting continual, fair and equitable access to Medicines and Pharmacy Products to deal with issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the equitable and timely distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to community pharmacies.
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Determination: Application for revocation of AA1000486 and the substitution of authorisation AA1000579
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The ACCC has decided to grant re-authorisation with a condition to enable Medicines Australia (MA) and its members, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) and its members, and potential future members that will be notified to the ACCC (the MA/GBMA Working Group), to continue to implement a coordinated strategy in relation to the supply of Critical Medicines and Critical Devices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Determination: Application for revocation of AA1000516 and the substitution of authorisation AA1000576
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The ACCC has decided to grant re-authorisation with conditions to the Australia New Zealand Industrial Gas Association (ANZIGA), its current and future members and other suppliers of medical oxygen notified to the ACCC from time to time (together, the Parties). The authorisation enables the Parties to exchange information and make and give effect to contracts, arrangements or understandings required to ensure security of supply of medical oxygen to hospitals and similar medical facilities in the event of significant demand increases or supply constraints that arise from the COVID-19 pandemic (the Conduct).
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State of the Disability Sector Report 2021
National Disability Services (NDS)
This time last year, many Australian businesses must have felt like they were staggering to the finish line after a year spent dealing with the challenges of COVID. Little did they realise that the race was just getting started - and that 2021 would feel more like a marathon. While every industry has had its struggles this year, and been forced to operate in new and often-difficult ways, the disability sector has been disproportionately affected.
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Health service use for patients with traumatic brain injury
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
This report presents data on a cohort of 23,445 patients aged under 65 who were hospitalised with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during 2013-14 or 2014-15. Using the National Integrated Health Services Information Analysis Asset (NIHISI AA), the report examines patient pathways and service utilisation during the initial TBI hospitalisation, and two years before and after the initial TBI hospitalisation.
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Cancer screening programs - Quarterly data
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
Cancer screening programs aim to reduce illness and death from selected cancers. This report presents the latest information on participation in Australia's national bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening programs. It includes quarterly national activity data on the number of bowel and cervical screening tests performed each month, along with screening participation rates for Australia, states and territories, Primary Health Network areas, and smaller local areas across Australia.
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Summary of Mental health services in Australia
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
This web report provides the most recent data available on the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. Data are progressively published as it becomes available throughout the year. As well as the information presented on the web pages, readers can find detailed data for current and previous years in the Microsoft ® Excel workbooks downloadable from each section.
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Life and work experiences of Australians with chronic conditions
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
This report provides a baseline snapshot of how working-age Australians (15-64 years) with chronic conditions were faring prior to 2020 and describes how their lives may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This report also includes in-depth analysis of mature-age working Australians living with chronic conditions (for the purpose of this report, mature working-age refers to people aged 45-64).
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Embryo Research Licensing Committee
National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
The Commonwealth Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 (PHCR Act) and Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 (RIHE Act) were developed to address community concerns, including ethical concerns, about scientific developments in relation to human reproduction and the use of human embryos in research activities. The legislation prohibits human cloning for reproductive purposes and a range of other practices relating to reproductive technology. It also regulates research activities that involve the use of human embryos created by assisted reproductive technology (ART) or by other means. There are strong penalties for noncompliance with the legislation.
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Increasing trust and capacity in Australia's Aged Care
Convergence.Tech
Royal Commissions, economic think-tanks and industry bodies have made the case for more consistent and relevant workforce training and skills recognition, and for better use of technology in Australia's Aged Care sector. In October 2021, Convergence.Tech facilitated an Industry led workshop to define how Verifiable Digital Credentials (VDCs) can solve multiple challenges faced by employers, workers and education providers. Workshop participants discussed a number of challenges associated with verifying the breadth and currency of workers' experience and skills. Recruitment and onboarding are impeded by a reliance on paper or pdf based credentials that contributes to lengthy lead times, high costs and dropout rates.
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ACT: Recovery Plan 2021 - 22
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr
This document brings together the ACT Government's key measures to make the recovery strong, sustainable and equitable.
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Hansards
ACT
02 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial statement - COVID-19 pandemic response - Update
02 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motions - Mental health services - Mental health, alcohol and other drug use disorders
02 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - International Day of People with Disability
02 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions without notice - COVID-19 - Testing centre fees
02 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial statement - International Day of People with Disability
02 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No 2) - Introduction, First Reading, Second Reading, Debate Adjourned
01 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 - Debate Resumed, Bill Agreed To
01 DEC 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions without notice - Canberra Hospital - Master Plan
30 NOV 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Petitions - Health - Eating Disorder Support Services - Petition 34-21
30 NOV 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19 Pandemic - Multicultural Communities
30 NOV 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motion to Take Note of Petitions - Health - Eating Disorder Support Services - Petition 34-21
25 NOV 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions without notice - Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act - Data security
25 NOV 2021: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Supplementary answers to questions without notice - COVID-19 - Testing centre fees
Tasmania
25 NOV 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions On Notice - Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Public Health System
25 NOV 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Vaccination Rates in North-West Tasmania
25 NOV 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions On Notice - Health System Personnel - Recruitment
25 NOV 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Booster Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers
24 NOV 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motions - COVID-19 - Reconnecting Tasmania Plan and Vaccination Rates - Motion Agreed To
24 NOV 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Under Utilised Vaccinations
24 NOV 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - Securing Tasmania's Future - Health Initiatives
Western Australia
09 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions On Notice - Coronavirus - Vaccination Plan - Regions
09 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Coronavirus - Vaccinations - Corrective Services
09 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions On Notice - Health - Workforce - Recruitment
09 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions On Notice - Health - Merredin Health Service - Medical Imaging
09 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions On Notice - Health - Staff - Nurses and Midwives
08 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Healthcare-Associated Infections
08 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital - Water Contamination
08 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Coronavirus - Vaccinations - Police
02 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Without Notice 1061 - Answer Advice - Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital - Water Contamination
02 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Coronavirus - Mandatory Vaccination Policy
02 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Busselton Health Campus - Psychiatric Liaison Nurses
02 DEC 2021: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Motion - Grain Crop - Labour Shortages
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
Federal
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (Licence Charges) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01750
Recovery of regulatory costs is achieved through the dual mechanisms of application fees applied to applicants seeking licences under the ARPANS Act and annual charges levied against existing licence holders under the authority of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (Licence Charges) Act 1998 (the Licence Charges Act). The proposed annual increase of 2 per cent in application fees applied to applicants seeking a licence would be implemented in a separate amendment to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 2018, which would commence concurrently with the proposed Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (Licence Charges) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (the proposed Regulations).
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Amendment (Equipment Capital Sensitivity) Regulations 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01749
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Amendment (Equipment Capital Sensitivity) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) is to amend the DIST from 1 May 2022. The Regulations will repeal the exemptions for rural and remote areas from the diagnostic imaging equipment and capital sensitivity provisions within the DIST.
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Rural Bulk-billing Incentive) Regulations 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01748
The purpose of the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Rural Bulk-billing Incentive) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) is to amend the GMST, DIST and PST to make changes to the bulk-billing incentives to encourage medical practitioners, commonly general practitioners (GPs), to bulk-bill unreferred medical services performed on a Commonwealth concession card holder or a child under 16.
Explanatory Statement
Northern Territory
COVID-19 Directions (No. 96) 2021 as amended by COVID-19 Directions (No. 99) and (No.114)
Northern Territory Department of Health
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Queensland
COVID-19 Emergency Response and Other Legislation Amendment (Postponement) Regulation 2021
Subordinate Legislation 2021 No. 171
The COVID-19 Emergency Response and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (Amendment Act) was passed on 1 December 2020 and received assent on 4 December 2020.
Explanatory Notes | Human Rights Certificate
Public Health (Further Extension of Declared Public Health Emergency- COVID-19) Regulation (No. 4) 2021
Subordinate Legislation 2021 No. 169
The objective of the Public Health (Further Extension of Declared Public Health Emergency- COVID-19) Regulation (No. 4) 2021 (Regulation) is to extend the period of the declared public health emergency to ensure the Queensland Government can continue to respond to outbreaks of COVID-19 in Queensland and to allow for emergency powers to be used to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in Queensland.
Explanatory Notes | Human Right Certificate
Victoria
07 DEC 2021: VIC, FOLEY: Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Infringement Offences) Regulations 2021 - S.R. No. 156/2021
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
Victoria
05 DEC 2021: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 685: Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Directions from CHO in Accordance with Emergency Powers Arising from Declared State of Emergency - Victorian Border Crossing Permit Directions (No. 43)
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Consolidated Legislation
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C01225
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 11).
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National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C01224
PB 35 of 2021 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 7).
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National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement 2011
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C01218
PB 79 of 2011 Arrangements as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2021 (No. 11).
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New Bills
None this edition.
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New Acts
Federal
An Act to amend the Dental Benefits Act 2008, and for related purposes
This Act will amend the Dental Benefits Act 2008 (the Act) to remove the lower eligibility age restriction of 2 years to allow eligible children from 0 years of age to access the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
The CDBS operates under the Act to provide eligible children aged between 2-17 years access to up to $1,013 in benefits for basic dental services, with benefits capped over two consecutive calendar years. The CDBS has provided over $2.3 billion in benefits and delivered more than 38 million services to over 3 million Australian children since it commenced on 1 January 2014 (to 30 June 2021).
The Report on the Fourth Review of the Dental Benefits Act 2008 (the Review) recommended lowering the current eligibility age to one year of age. The feedback received by the Department from the key stakeholders advised their preference of removing the lower eligibility age restriction altogether enabling all children under 18 years of age to access the scheme if they meet the CDBS means test requirements.
By removing the lower eligibility age restriction altogether, it is estimated that each year an additional 300,000 children aged between 0 and 2 will become eligible for the program from 1 January 2022. It is estimated that each year 15% of children in this newly eligible age group (presenting with teeth) will access the scheme.
Reps: Intro 04/08/21, 2R 04/08/21, 11/08/21, 12/08/21, 26/08/21, Passed 26/08/21
Senate: Intro 31/08/21, 2R 31/08/21, 24/11/21, Passed 24/11/21
Assent 02/12/21, Act No. 118 of 2021
Commencement: The whole of this Act - 1 January 2022.
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South Australia
An Act to reduce the incidence of deaths by suicide in this state, to establish the Suicide Prevention Council, to provide for the preparation and implementation of suicide prevention plans, to encourage the training of persons and organisations in suicide prevention and postvention, and for other purposes.
The objects of the Act are:
- to reduce the incidence of suicide in the state;
- to promote best practice suicide prevention policies across the state;
- to articulate the role of the state in implementing suicide prevention strategies;
- to provide for training and education in relation to suicide prevention;
- to provide for the identification of priority population groups and implementing suitable initiatives to prevent suicide within such groups; and
- to provide a framework to ensure that suicide prevention response is a priority across all levels of government and community.
LC: 1R 08/09/21, 2R 08/09/21, 21/09/21, 23/09/21, 14/10/21, Passed with amendment 14/10/21
LA: 1R 14/10/21, 2R 16/11/21, 1/12/21, Passed 1/12/21
LC: Final Stages TBA
Assent 09/12/21, Act No. 51 of 2021
Commencement: This Act comes into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
Victoria
An Act to amend the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 in relation to the effective management of pandemics and for other purposes.
The Act will establish a contemporary, fit-for-purpose regulatory framework to enable the effective management of pandemics, including the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Act will introduce amendments to enable the protection of public health from the serious threat posed by pandemic diseases and diseases of pandemic potential. Most critically, the Act focuses on saving Victorian lives during pandemics, and promoting and protecting the social, economic and mental welfare of Victorians to the greatest extent possible during these confronting events.
The Act amends Victoria's principal public health statute, the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, primarily by inserting a new Part 8A-Protection of life and public health during pandemics. The main objective of the new Part is to protect public health and wellbeing in Victoria by establishing a regulatory framework for preventing and managing the serious risk to life, public health and wellbeing presented by the outbreak or spread of pandemics and diseases of pandemic potential.
LA: 1R 26/10/21, 2R 27/10/21, 28/10/21, Passed 28/10/21
LC: 1R 28/10/21, 2R 16/11/21, 30/11/21, Suggested Assembly make amendments 1/12/21
LA: Made amendments suggested by Council 1/12/21
LC: Agreed to Assembly's amendments 2/12/21
Assent TBA, Act No. TBA
Commencement:
- Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), this Act comes into operation on the day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
- The following provisions come into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed-
(a) Part 3;
(b) Division 3 of Part 4;
(c) Division 2 of Part 5;
(d) Part 6.
- Division 2 of Part 4 comes into operation on 16 December 2021.
- If a provision mentioned in subsection (2) does not come into operation before the day that is 12 months after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, it comes into operation on that day.
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