Receiving the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
The Government welcomed the Final Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, this week. The Report contains 148 recommendations for significant reform. The Government’s response to the Final Report will address the five pillars of; Home Care, Residential aged care quality and safety, Residential aged care services and sustainability, Workforce, and Governance. The Prime Minister also announced a further $452.2 million package as an important first step in addressing immediate priorities in the sector. Read more here.
A Shot in the Arm for Australia’s Vaccination Program
Australia’s’ COVID-19 vaccination program got another shot in the arm this week, with the arrival in Sydney of 300,000 doses of the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. The first vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine have commenced, ahead of a national roll out commencing from 8 March. Australia remains on track to administer 1 million doses of the vaccine each week from late March. For more information, read the Prime Minister’s statement here.
Australia’s Economic Recovery Continues at a Record Pace
The latest National Account figures show that Australia’s economic recovery continues to lead the world and that the Morrison Government’s economic recovery plan is working. In the December quarter, Australia’s economy grew a record 3.1 per cent, for the second consecutive quarter. The economy has now recovered 85 per cent of its COVID-induced losses, with 320,000 new jobs created and 2.1 million Australian workers graduated off JobKeeper in the December quarter. Read the Treasurer's statement here.
Expanding Access to Life Changing Medicines
Thousands of Australians with multiple sclerosis, asthma and diabetes will benefit from the listing or extension of several medications on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), bringing further support to patients and their families. From March 1, Zeposia and Atecture Breezhaler will be listed on the PBS for the first time, and Trulicity will have its PBS listing extended.The listing of Zeposia will reduce the cost of treatment for over 5,200 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, from as much as $29,000 a year, to just $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card. For further information about the listings, read Minister Hunt’s statement here.
$400 million Road Safety Blitz for NSW
The Deputy Prime Minister announced 261 priority projects will be delivered across NSW, of which 150 are for regional roads. This is part of a $400 million blitz designed to reduce road trauma and save lives. The funding will deliver lifesaving upgrades including shoulder sealing, rumble strips, median upgrades and barriers. This important investment will also provide a vital boost to local economies, with projects expected to support more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs. The Morrison Government has committed up to $300 million and the NSW Government a further $108.2 million to fund the state-wide upgrades under the first tranche. For more information about the road projects, see the Deputy Prime Minister’s release here.