CHILDCARE RELIEF PACKAGE
Around one million families are set to receive free child care during the coronavirus pandemic under a plan from the Morrison Government that will help deliver hip pocket relief and help the early childhood education and care sector make it through to the other side of this crisis. Under the plan, the Government will pay 50 per cent of the sector’s fee revenue up to the existing hourly rate cap based on a point in time before parents started withdrawing their children in large numbers, but only so long as services remain open and do not charge families for care. The funding will apply from 6 April based on the number of children who were in care during the fortnight leading into 2 March, whether or not they are attending services. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the plan supports families while also ensuring as many of the sector’s 13,000 child…
$130 BILLION JOBKEEPER PAYMENT
The Morrison Government will provide a historic wage subsidy to around 6 million workers who will receive a flat payment of $1,500 per fortnight through their employer, before tax. The $130 billion JobKeeper payment will help keep Australians in jobs as tackle the significant economic impact from the coronavirus. The payment will be open to eligible businesses that receive a significant financial hit caused by the coronavirus. The payment will provide the equivalent of around 70 per cent of the national median wage. For workers in the accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors it will equate to a full median replacement wage. The payment will ensure eligible employers and employees stay connected while some businesses move into hibernation. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the JobKeeper payment would bring the Government’s total economic support for the economy to $320 billion or 16.4 per cent of GDP. “We will give millions of eligible…
$1.1 BILLION TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICARE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERIES
More help will be given to millions of Australians battling the devastating impacts of coronavirus with a $1.1 billion package which boosts mental health services, domestic violence support, Medicare assistance for people at home and emergency food relief. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more support would be rolling out immediately to deal with the secondary effects of the health and economic crisis caused by coronavirus. “As we battle coronavirus on both the health and economic fronts with significant support packages in place and more to come, I am very aware many Australians are understandably anxious, stressed and fearful about the impacts of coronavirus and what it brings,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. “We are focused on saving lives and saving livelihoods and this new support package will provide much needed care and help to so many Australians facing hardship at no fault of their own. “We will get through this…
UPDATES ON PUBLIC GATHERINGS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
Australian governments met again today as the National Cabinet to take further action to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives and to save livelihoods. We will be living with this virus for at least six months, so social distancing measures to slow this virus down must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives and help Australia to keep functioning. National Cabinet noted the latest statistics and medical advice in relation to coronavirus. Our public health measures are taking effect, with over 211,000 tests undertaken and 3,966 confirmed cases in Australia. The rate of increase in the virus curve is slowing, but overall numbers are still increasing. While the majority of cases in Australia are connected to travellers returning to Australia from overseas, there has been some sustained community transmission in areas of Sydney and Melbourne. National Cabinet noted the extensive work underway to procure more…
UPDATE ON COVID-19 MEASURES
Australian governments met today as the National Cabinet to take further action to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives, and to save livelihoods. We will be living with this virus for at least six months, so social distancing measures to slow this virus down must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives, to help Australia to keep functioning and to keep Australians in jobs. National Cabinet noted the latest statistics and medical advice in relation to COVID-19. There are more than 3,000 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 13 people have died. Of the newly reported cases in the last week, the majority have been from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. National Cabinet noted that the vast majority (around 85%) of cases in Australia remain overseas acquired or locally acquired contacts of a confirmed case. Testing keeps Australians safe. Australia has one of…
UWA SANITISER TO PROTECT MOST VULNERABLE FROM COVID-19
Some vulnerable groups such as the elderly, small businesses and people in self-isolation from COVID-19 will be provided with hand sanitiser through a new initiative led by The University of Western Australia, in collaboration with UWA’s local Federal MP, Celia Hammond. UWA scientists are making the sanitiser in the science laboratories using the World Health Organisation’s formula, having received approval from the Federal Minister for Health via the Federal Member for Curtin. The University is also engaging with WA Government authorities to see how any surplus sanitiser can be put to best use, and exploring further ways the University can support the COVID-19 response. UWA Professor Tony O’Donnell, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science said the University had world-class laboratories and a team of experienced scientists. “We are in a strong position to be able to make a difference in the community at a very difficult and challenging time,” Professor O’Donnell…
LATEST STATEMENT FROM THE PM ON COVID-19
Australian governments continue to work together to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives. Every extra bit of time allows us to better prepare our health system and put measures in place to protect Australian lives. The Prime Minister, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers continued their meeting on 25 March as the National Cabinet to discuss enhanced health measures to support our efforts to quickly test and contact trace coronavirus in our community. Expansion of coronavirus testing criteria Australian has one of the most rigorous coronavirus testing systems in the world. To further protect Australia, National Cabinet agreed to an Australian Health Principal Protection Committee (AHPPC) recommendation to expand the current coronavirus testing criteria to include testing people with fever or acute respiratory infection in: all health workers all aged/residential care workers geographically localised areas where there is elevated risk of community transmission as defined by the…
The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission
On March 25th 2020, the Prime Minister announced the creation of a new National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) that will coordinate advice to the Australian Government on actions to anticipate and mitigate the economic and social effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. The Commission will ensure the Government receives the most comprehensive advice to meet the challenges ahead to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus and help build a bridge to recovery. This is about working cooperatively across private-to-private and public-to-private networks to unlock resources, break bottlenecks and fix problems so Australian families, businesses and communities are supported through the challenging months ahead. Mr Neville Power has been appointed Chairman and brings both high level business expertise and a strong commitment to social issues. An Executive Board of Commissioners, will advise the Prime Minister on all non-health aspects of the pandemic response. The Board will work in tandem with…
COVID-19 UPDATE ON PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND VENUES
Australian governments are working together to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives. Every extra bit of time allows us to better prepare our health system and put measures in place to protect Australian lives. We will be living with this virus for at least six months, so social distancing measures to slow this virus down must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives, allow Australia to keep functioning and keep Australians in jobs. The Prime Minister, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers met on 24 March 2020 as the National Cabinet. We are leading the world on testing with more than 161,000 Australians tested and around 2,000 Australians confirmed cases. In contrast to many countries, the majority of Australian cases of coronavirus have been from people returning overseas or direct contacts with people who had been overseas. However, National Cabinet noted that there…
COVID-19- UPDATED SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES
SOCIAL GATHERINGS National Cabinet agreed to move to more widespread restrictions on social gatherings. Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to implement, through state and territory laws, new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings, to be reviewed on a monthly basis. Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least 6 months. The following facilities will be restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020: Pubs, registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation) Gyms and indoor sporting venues Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery Religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies). Isolated remote community hubs are not included in these restrictions. Other facilities are not impacted, but…