Marking the Anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generation
The Prime Minister and Minister for Indigenous Australians, as well as the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister, spoke in the House of Representatives to mark the recent anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations. From the landmark National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the ongoing work to empower Indigenous Australians through the Indigenous Voice co-design process and ongoing work to ensure the economic recovery provides opportunity for our people through skills, jobs and wealth creation, the Morrison Government is committed to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. More information can be found here.
First Pfizer Vaccine Doses Arrive in Australia
More than 142,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COZVID-19 vaccine have arrived at Sydney airport in a major milestone in Australia’s response to the pandemic. This is the first shipment of 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine the Government has secured as part of Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy. More information can be found here.
TGA Approves AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has today approved the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia following a full and thorough assessment process. The vaccine has met the required standards for safety, quality and efficacy and will be provided free to Australians. This means Australia now has two safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available. More information can be found here.
Gas Prices Continued to Fall Sharply According to ACCC Gas Inquiry
Gas prices have continued to fall sharply, further easing pressure on Australian households and industry, according to the latest Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Gas Inquiry report. The ACCC Gas Inquiry 2017-2025 January 2021 report found prices offered by producers and retailers for 2021 supply in the domestic market fell significantly over the first half of 2020, representing a significant shift in market pricing. More information can be found here.
Report Shows Record Detached Home Starts in 2021 Thanks to HomeBuilder
The latest Housing Industry Association’s National and State Outlooks forecast a record level of detached homes will commence construction in 2021. New detached home construction commencement is forecast to rise to 130,000 in 2021, eclipsing the previous record of 120,000 starts in 2018. The Outlook also forecasts that detached home starts will rise in every state and territory over the 2020/21 financial year compared to the previous. Today’s figures are a credit to Australia’s tradies and to the support HomeBuilder has provided the industry as we build our economic comeback from COVID-19 recession. More information can be found here.