Key occasions:
Edwina McDonald, the performing CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, has instructed the ABC she welcomes the bulletins from the Nationwide Cupboard assembly of extra funds for Australians who’re struggling.
Just a few issues now we have heard {that a} actually nice, we heard in regards to the extension of the pandemic depart catastrophe funds, the disaster cost, the provision of speedy antigen assessments and all these issues are actually wanted in the mean time.
Nonetheless, McDonald says that whereas the brand new short-term pandemic helps are welcome, long-term options to problems with inequality are nonetheless wanted.
The pandemic is exhibiting some inadequacies with our earnings help system and what’s attainable… when we aren’t in a pandemic time as a result of these sorts of pressures proceed.
The Prime Minister is open to taking the well being recommendation and what is required, actually dedicated to creating certain no-one is left behind. That’s actually encouraging to listen to that. However we all know that we do want a long term resolution as nicely.
Nationwide cupboard assembly brings renewed help amid newest Covid surge
Tory Shepherd
After days of pressure to increase paid pandemic depart, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has reversed the federal government’s plan to finish the emergency measure.
The $750 cost will now proceed till 30 September, with the prices coated 50-50 with the states. Telehealth appointments can even be accessible to individuals who may have entry to antiviral medication till the tip of October.
Concession card holders will now not be robotically eligible for 10 free RATs by the present scheme, however Albanese stated there have been different federal and state schemes in place to offer free assessments to the weak.
Albanese arrived again within the nation yesterday from the Pacific Islands Discussion board and referred to as a snap assembly with state and territory leaders for this morning.
The chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, briefed the PM on Friday, then spoke on the nationwide cupboard assembly.
Albanese stated nationwide cupboard would proceed to satisfy each two to 3 weeks because the winter surge hits.
“All the premiers and chief ministers in addition to the commonwealth perceive that we have to get the well being outcomes proper to be able to shield individuals’s well being and likewise to guard our economic system,” he stated.
“Whenever you get the well being outcomes proper, you shield jobs and shield the economic system. We’re all dedicated to that. The actually optimistic factor as nicely in the present day is [we are] working in the direction of a way more constant nationwide strategy.”
Albanese stated there was “elevated entry” to RATs.
“States and territories are ensuring that they’re accessible in addition to the commonwealth by numerous measures that now we have,” he stated.
“All the first ministers additionally agreed that jurisdictions will utilise current speedy antigen take a look at shares funded by these preparations.”
Albanese and his ministers had argued that the funds and distribution of free RATs have been at all times going to be discontinued after being carried out by the previous Coalition authorities, and that the $1tn price range debt meant the spending couldn’t proceed indefinitely.
The well being minister, Mark Butler, argued in the course of the week that emergency funds needed to be reconsidered because the pandemic entered the “subsequent part”.
However as the newest Covid surge started and Butler warned that millions of people could be contaminated, well being specialists, state leaders, unions and others demanded that the measures ought to be saved in place.
Albanese stated they’d reverse the choice “inherited from the previous authorities”.
I wish to be sure that individuals aren’t left behind, that weak individuals are sorted and that nobody is confronted with the unenviable alternative of not having the ability to isolate correctly with out shedding an earnings.
Albanese additionally urged individuals to get their booster photographs, and to speak to their docs about accessing antivirals.
On Friday, the Australian Medical Affiliation nationwide president, Omar Khorshid, stated individuals ought to be supported to “do the fitting factor” and isolate once they have been sick.
Usually the federal government has prolonged the measures we proceed to wish as a result of the pandemic remains to be right here and affecting us.
Albanese had come beneath hearth for suggesting sick individuals ought to simply make money working from home, a measure that isn’t accessible to many workers. He then introduced the nationwide cupboard would meet on Monday to contemplate pandemic help, however on Friday introduced the assembly ahead to in the present day.
Albanese says pandemic cost extension to price $780m by finish of September
Albanese says the extension of funds is estimated to price “just below $800m” by the tip of September 30:
Round about $780m to be shared 50-50 between the commonwealth and the states and territories.
They are going to be accessible from Wednesday morning if individuals wish to apply, they’ll apply on-line, or individuals who can’t declare on-line will be capable of declare by calling 180 22 66.
As a result of it’s a new monetary yr, various individuals have sick depart entitlements which have expired and are able to go as nicely. Along with that, various companies have adjusted to the best way that they cope with these points. It could be that the fee is much less.
PM notes elevated entry to RATs however no change for concession card holders
Albanese says there may be elevated entry to provides of speedy antigen assessments, however the state of free speedy antigen assessments for concession card holders seems to be unchanged.
Additionally noting the elevated entry to provides of speedy antigen assessments as a result of the commonwealth has already picked up the tab of the price of all of the speedy antigen assessments. And states and territories are ensuring that they’re accessible in addition to the commonwealth by numerous measures that now we have. All the first ministers additionally agreed that jurisdictions will utilise current speedy antigen take a look at shares funded by these preparations.
Albanese says indoor masks carrying to be a part of well being messaging
Albanese says indoor masks carrying suggestions can be a part of constant well being messaging between the commonwealth and states and territories:
The jurisdictions and the commonwealth additionally agreed to offer that constant well being messaging out of there to encourage Australians to comply with the suggestions that have been offered by Prof Kelly.
These embrace carrying masks indoors the place acceptable, the place individuals are mixing and may’t have social distancing, then that is smart for that to be extremely inspired. Additionally getting examined, practising good respiratory hygiene and the place it’s, the place individuals are contacts or the place it’s acceptable, for individuals to make money working from home. These measures are essential.
PM proclaims new non permanent telehealth session merchandise
A brand new non permanent telehealth session can even be accessible, Albanese says:
The commonwealth can be agreeing to create a brand new non permanent telehealth merchandise so GPs can spend longer with their sufferers to evaluate the suitability for oral Covid-19 antivirals.
[Health minister] Mark Butler with the Royal Australian GPs and the AMA yesterday labored by these proposals.
We wish to be sure that antivirals could be administered the place acceptable and to be able to do this this non permanent telehealth facility is suitable, it’s acceptable it’s established.
Albanese has additionally introduced the reinstatement of disaster cost nationwide well being emergency funds:
Along with that, the federal government can even reinstate the disaster cost nationwide well being emergency funds till the thirtieth of September. This may make sure that these affected by Covid-19 isolation necessities … who’re in extreme monetary hardship proceed to obtain help in the course of the winter interval.
Albanese confirms pandemic depart cost to be reinstated
Albanese has confirmed the reinstatement of pandemic depart catastrophe funds to the tip of September:
In recognition of the dangers which might be related to the extra infectious new variants, now we have agreed to reinstate the pandemic depart catastrophe cost to September 30 of this yr.
I wish to be sure that individuals aren’t left behind, that weak individuals are sorted and that nobody is confronted with the unenviable alternative of not having the ability to isolate correctly with out shedding an earnings and with out being put in a state of affairs that’s tough.
Going ahead, the states and territories have agreed that this cost can be coated 50-50 – a shared price with the states and territories.
Beforehand, the states and territories picked up the invoice for non permanent visa holders – they can even be shared 50-50. And so they picked up the invoice for enterprise help – that was in place and is now not being offered.
It is a truthful manner. Going ahead, the entire states and territories in addition to the commonwealth perceive that emergency funds are simply that. They will’t proceed without end, given the bodily constraints which might be on governments in any respect ranges, however that that is an acceptable measure going ahead.
Albanese says nationwide cupboard to satisfy each two to 3 weeks
Albanese has introduced a extra constant nationwide strategy with the commonwealth to satisfy with states and territories each two to 3 weeks.
The actually optimistic factor as nicely in the present day is working in the direction of a way more constant nationwide strategy.
That was agreed and certainly, over the approaching interval up till a minimum of the tip of September, the commonwealth will meet with the states and territories within the nationwide cupboard strategy each two to 3 weeks to verify we’re listening to the up to date experiences from AHPPC [the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee] and to reply, as want be, to verify our approaches are constant so individuals could be clear in regards to the messages that are on the market.
Albanese has began his press convention following the nationwide cupboard assembly saying there have been “a number of new measures” agreed upon.
He says there may be excellent news of robust uptake within the quantity of people that have obtained their fourth Covid-19 vaccine, which grew to become accessible originally of final week.
First, we heard from the chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, who offered an replace of the pandemic, together with the brand new variants and their potential affect and the affect that was having on hospital capability and the broader well being system in Australia. What was very optimistic was his report in regards to the substantial enhance within the variety of individuals receiving their fourth shot, some 400,000 individuals in latest days. Additionally the elevated use of antivirals. These two measures are completely vital.
PM speaks following emergency nationwide cupboard assembly
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is talking following the emergency assembly of the nationwide cupboard to debate the worrying surge in Covid instances.
The snap assembly was initially to happen on Monday however was introduced ahead to this morning after Albanese was briefed yesterday by the chief well being officer, Paul Kelly, and well being division secretary, Brendan Murphy.
Katharine Murphy
Should you missed our Guardian Essential poll in the beginning of this week, there have been two key insights. The primary is Australians are in a sophisticated headspace about Covid. The second is Anthony Albanese’s post-election honeymoon has moderated.
By difficult, I imply contradictory. Greater than half the voters surveyed wish to deal with Covid just like the flu and simply get on with regular life. However we don’t like excessive loss of life charges. We additionally fear about stress on hospitals.
Northern Territory information one Covid loss of life and 61 individuals in hospital
There have been 424 new instances within the last reporting period, and two individuals are in intensive care.
Memorable day for Australian golfers at St Andrews
Min Woo Lee has wowed the St Andrews galleries as soon as once more to provide himself a shot at British Open glory with a stunning second spherical on the house of golf, AAP experiences.
The West Australian pleasure machine virtually holed out for a uncommon albatross on Friday en path to a three-under-par 69 to hitch his celebrated countrymen Cameron Smith and Adam Scott in rivalry for the Claret Jug.
Little greater than a month after his older sister Minjee gained the Ladies’s US Open in North Carolina, Lee is making an audacious bid to land a significant championship of his personal.
Graham Readfearn
Gasoline big Chevron falls additional behind on carbon seize targets for Gorgon gasfield
Gasoline big Chevron has fallen even additional behind on targets to seize and retailer CO2 at its mega gasoline undertaking in Western Australian, however has refused to say by how a lot.
The corporate additionally confirmed on Friday it had purchased and surrendered 5.23m tonnes of CO2 offsets to make up for the failure to satisfy its 2021 goal at its CCS undertaking on the offshore Gorgon gasfield in Western Australia.
Queensland information 22 Covid deaths and 921 individuals in hospital
There have been 5,795 new instances within the final reporting interval, and 14 individuals are in intensive care.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese to talk at 11.45am
Keep tuned for Anthony Albanese’s press convention following the emergency nationwide cupboard assembly can be arising simply earlier than noon in the present day.
I’ll carry you the bulletins from that presser with Albanese anticipated to announce that pandemic depart funds for casuals can be reinstated.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is in Sydney in the present day and can maintain a press convention following Nationwide Cupboard, 11:45AM #auspol
— Political Alert (@political_alert) July 16, 2022
Widespread frost in NSW this morning
The BoM confirming what many people in NSW and Canberra felt this morning, it’s one other chilly one however dry situations in retailer for the remainder of the day.
