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 Hon Michael McCormack MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Leader of The Nationals
Federal Member for Riverina

MEDIA RELEASE
30 March 2020

FOREIGN INVESTMENT LAWS CHANGED TO PROTECT REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

Foreign investment review laws will be changed to ensure the interests of regional, rural and remote businesses are protected through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All proposed foreign investments into Australia subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the Act) will require approval, providing a significant protection for agricultural land.

By bringing the threshold for screening down to zero dollars, the Australian Government will ensure all proposed foreign investments are appropriately scrutinised.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack advocated for these changes as leader of The National Party and welcomed their introduction.

“Foreign investment in Australia can be very beneficial, especially when it supports Australian lives and Australian livelihoods,” Mr McCormack said.

“Through the changes we have announced, we will make sure any foreign investment is in Australia’s national interest.

“This pandemic is placing extraordinary stress on regional economies and local businesses and we will keep taking every measure possible to safeguard their future.

“Regional Australia is resilient and we will get through this crisis together.”

These measures will remain in place for the duration of the current crisis, with the Government recognising foreign investment will play an important part in helping many businesses recover from the pandemic’s economic harm – securing jobs and supporting our economic recovery.

Further administrative details to give effect to this announcement will be published on the FIRB website in due course.

The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister

NATIONAL CABINET STATEMENT

Sunday 29 March 2020

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 masks, ventilators, gloves, gowns and hand sanitiser from both international suppliers and domestic manufacturers. National Cabinet further noted that the Commonwealth had announced a package of $1.1 billion to boost mental health services, domestic violence support, Medicare assistance for people at home and emergency food relief.

National Cabinet welcomed the new coronavirus app and WhatsApp channel that were released today by the Commonwealth Government. The app is now available on Apple and Android devices. The WhatsApp channel can be accessed by entering aus.gov.au/whatsapp into your internet browser.

These new platforms provide a trusted source of information for Australians looking for important advice on how they can protect themselves and others, current restrictions on social gatherings, how they can access support and the latest data on Australian cases.

The app also allows Australians to voluntarily register if they are self-isolating to provide governments with important information to protect public health and safety.

National Cabinet noted that there have been significant measures put in place that restrict gatherings including limits on retail premises. In some jurisdictions, retail outlets need to be prepared for further measures and adapt to different ways of engaging customers such as online and home delivery services.

Indoor and Outdoor Public gatherings

National Cabinet agreed to limit both indoor and outdoor gatherings to two persons only.

Exceptions to this limit include:
• People of the same household going out together;
• Funerals – a maximum of 10 people;
• Wedding – a maximum of 5 people;
• Family units.

Individual states and territories may choose to mandate and/or enforce this requirement.

National Cabinet’s strong guidance to all Australians is to stay home unless for:
• shopping for what you need – food and necessary supplies;
• medical or health care needs, including compassionate requirements;
• exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements;
• work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.

National Cabinet agreed that playgrounds, skate parks and outside gyms in public places will be closed. Bootcamps will be reduced to two persons, including the trainer.

These measures will be in place from midnight tomorrow night.

Social Distancing – further measures

National Cabinet discussed further restrictions on activities and venues. Overseas experience indicates further restrictions on personal movement and businesses will be required should the severity of the outbreak worsen in Australia.

States and territories agreed they would implement further measures specific to their own region, including closing categories of venues, where medical advice supported this action. These measures would be risk-based and targeted at non-essential activities.

Australians will still be able to access the goods and services needed to safely and sustainably live their lives.

Advice for Senior Australians including those with existing health conditions

The care and wellbeing of senior Australians remains a priority in this uncertain time.

All Australians respect and value the contribution that older Australians make to our community.

Coronavirus has more serious impacts on older Australians, those over 70 years of age and Australians with existing health conditions or comorbidities.

National Cabinet’s strong advice is for self-isolation at home to the maximum extent practicable for Australians:
• over 70 years of age;
• over 60 years of age who have existing health conditions or comorbidities;
• indigenous Australians over the age of 50 who have existing health conditions or comorbidities.

These groups should limit contact with others as much as possible when they travel outside.

Commercial and residential tenancies

As part of its work on helping businesses hibernate, National Cabinet agreed that short-term intervention is needed for commercial tenancies. Work on this has begun, but there is more to do, including for residential tenancies.

National Cabinet agreed to a moratorium on evictions over the next six months for commercial and residential tenancies in financial distress who are unable to meet their commitments due to the impact of coronavirus.

Commercial tenants, landlords and financial institutions are encouraged to sit down together to find a way through to ensure that businesses can survive and be there on the other side. As part of this, National Cabinet agreed to a common set of principles, endorsed by Treasurers, to underpin and govern intervention to aid commercial tenancies as follows:

• a short term, temporary moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent to be applied across commercial tenancies impacted by severe rental distress due to coronavirus;
• tenants and landlords are encouraged to agree on rent relief or temporary amendments to the lease;
• the reduction or waiver of rental payment for a defined period for impacted tenants;
• the ability for tenants to terminate leases and/or seek mediation or conciliation on the grounds of financial distress;
• commercial property owners should ensure that any benefits received in respect of their properties should also benefit their tenants in proportion to the economic impact caused by coronavirus;
• landlords and tenants not significantly affected by coronavirus are expected to honour their lease and rental agreements; and
• cost-sharing or deferral of losses between landlords and tenants, with Commonwealth, state and territory governments, local government and financial institutions to consider mechanisms to provide assistance.

National Cabinet will meet again on Monday 30th March 2020.

Contacts: Press Office, (02) 6277 7744
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Sydney

Press Office of the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister, Canberra

To provide continued access to essential primary health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government is expanding Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for all Australians and providing extra incentives to general practitioners and other health practitioners.

These critical changes have been designed in partnership with key stakeholders in the sector including the Australian Medical Association, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Allied Health Professionals Australia, Australian Psychological Society, and the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association.

We are making telehealth a key weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding the consultation services available by telehealth is the next critical stage in the Government’s response to COVID-19.

Services will include GP services and some consultation services provided by other medical specialists, nurse practitioners, mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, services to people with eating disorders, pregnancy support counselling, services to patients in aged care facilities, children with autism, and after-hours consultations.

These changes represent the fourth stage of a series of primary care measures and will commence from 8am Monday 30 March.

Australia’s primary health workers are our frontline in leading the fight against this pandemic. Services via telehealth will limit unnecessary exposure of patients and health professionals to COVID-19, wherever treatment can be safely delivered by phone or videoconferencing.

This will take pressure off hospitals and emergency departments. Whole of population telehealth will allow people to access essential health services in their home and will support self-isolation and quarantine policies to reduce risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19. It will also help vulnerable doctors to continue to deliver services to their patients.

The Government will double the bulk billing incentive for GPs both for face-to-face and telehealth services during the course of the COVID-19 response.

Doubling the bulk billing incentive will facilitate sustainable support for providers, and ensure concession and other vulnerable patients who need services continue to be provided with free, timely and appropriate access.

Further changes will be introduced during the week that will allow GPs and other providers to apply their usual billing practices to telehealth consultations, while concessional and vulnerable patients will continue to receive services at no cost.

In addition, the Government will establish an incentive payment to ensure practices stay open to provide face-to-face services where they are essential for patients with conditions that can’t be treated through telehealth.

The Government will continue to work on a further expansion of non-GP specialist telehealth under stage 5 in collaboration with the profession.

Our number one priority is protecting and supporting Australians who are vulnerable to COVID-19.

We are ensuring there are no unintended barriers to services for vulnerable patients. At the same time, we need to support GPs to keep their doors open during these extremely difficult times. These initiatives will support both them and their patients.

Patients should talk to their regular doctors about their most appropriate course of care, whether it should be via telehealth or face-to-face.

The new arrangements will commence on Monday 30 March and will be in place until 30 September 2020, when they will be reviewed in light of the need to continue our battle against COVID-19.

The Hon. David Littleproud MP
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and
Emergency Management
Deputy Leader of the Nationals

Sunday 29th March 2020

More Support for Mental Health, Domestic Violence

Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud says the Federal Government’s stimulus package would further support people in the outback and remote communities.

$1.1 billion in more support measures will boost mental health services, increase domestic violence support, provide Medicare assistance for people at home and emergency food relief.

“People in country communities and remote parts of Australia who are anxious and fearful need to know that the Federal Government is there to support them,” Minister Littleproud said.

“No Australian, no matter where they live, needs to go through this alone.
“Those in regional and rural Australia have had it rough recently, with drought, bushfires and now the COVID-19 crisis. We will continue to be there for them.

“This support, which follows packages to cushion the economic and health impact from coronavirus, will be available immediately.
“The package includes a whole of population telehealth, which is important for people to connect with their medical professionals and counsellors, and doubles the bulk billing incentive to make sure GPs are available.

“There will also be more services for people experience family, domestic or sexual violence, and extra funding for mental health services.
“Emergency relief services have been heavily relied upon. This demand is expected to increase.

“As a result, there is $200 million to support people who are struggling to pay their bills, need their food delivered or have clothing available.
“I encourage people to take advantage of these measures to help them get through.”

The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister

Senator The Hon. Marise Payne
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Women

The Hon. Greg Hunt MP
Minister for Health

Senator The Hon. Anne Ruston
Minister for Families and Social Services

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Sunday 29 March 2020

$1.1 BILLION TO SUPPORT MORE MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICARE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES

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 crisis by staying together, by supporting each other and ensuring that no Australian, even though we have to be isolated, should have to go through this alone.”

Medicare support at home – whole of population telehealth

To provide continued access to essential primary health services during the coronavirus pandemic, $669 million will be provided to expand Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for all Australians, with extra incentives to GPs and other health practitioners also delivered.

Australians will be able to access support in their own home using their telephone, or video conferencing features like FaceTime to connect with GP services, mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, services to people with eating disorders, pregnancy support counselling, services to patients in aged care facilities, children with autism, after-hours consultations and nurse practitioners.

Providing the opportunity to get health services at home is a key weapon in the fight against coronavirus while limiting unnecessary exposure of patients and health professionals to the virus, wherever treatment can be safely delivered by phone or videoconferencing. This will take pressure off hospitals and emergency departments and allow people to access essential health services in their home, while supporting self-isolation and quarantine policies.

The GP bulk billing incentive will be doubled for GPs and an incentive payment will be established to ensure practices stay open to provide face to face services where they are essential for patients with conditions that can’t be treated through telehealth. The new arrangements will be in place until 30 September 2020, when they will be reviewed in light of the need to continue the fight against coronavirus.

Domestic violence support

An initial $150 million will be provided to support Australians experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence due to the fallout from coronavirus.

Google is seeing the highest magnitude of searches for domestic violence help that they have seen in the past five years with an increase of 75 per cent and some services are already reporting an increase in demand.

The funding will boost programs under the National Plan to reduce Violence against Women and their Children including:
• Counselling support for families affected by, or at risk of experiencing, domestic and family violence including men’s behaviour change programs which will provide a short, medium and longer term response to support men.
• 1800RESPECT, the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service, which already answers around 160,000 calls a year.
• Mensline Australia, the national counselling service for men that provides support for emotional health and relationship concerns for men affected by or considering using violence.
• Trafficked People Program to support particularly vulnerable cohorts such as victims of human trafficking, forced marriage, slavery and slavery-like practices.
• Support programs for women and children experiencing violence to protect themselves to stay in their homes, or a home of their choice, when it is safe to do so.

A new public communication campaign will roll out to support those experiencing domestic violence over this period and to ensure those affected know where they can seek help.

Minister Payne and Minister Ruston will convene a COAG Women’s Safety Council meeting on Monday to discuss with the states and territories how to best deliver this funding to support local responses to this issue.

Mental health support

An initial $74 million will be provided to support the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians.

The Government’s digital mental health portal, Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au), will be a single source of authoritative information and guidance on how to maintain good mental health during the coronavirus pandemic and in self-isolation, how to support children and loved ones, and how to access further mental health services and care.

A new national communications campaign, delivered in conjunction with the National Mental Health Commission, will provide information about maintaining mental wellbeing, raise awareness of the signs of when you or a loved one needs to get additional assistance, and where to find further information, support and care.

$10 million will be provided to create a dedicated coronavirus wellbeing support line, delivered by Beyond Blue, to help people experiencing concern due to a coronavirus diagnosis, or experiencing stress or anxiety due to employment changes, business closure, financial difficulties, family pressures or other challenges. The Government welcomes an additional $5 million contribution from Medibank to Beyond Blue to support this vital initiative.

$14 million will bolster the capacity of mental health support providers who have experienced an unprecedented surge in call volumes with funding increasing their capacity, including $5 million for Lifeline and $2 million for Kids Helpline. The funding will also bolster other existing services, including digital peer-support to people with urgent, severe and complex mental illness who may be experiencing additional distress at this time.

Health workers, who will be at the frontline of the pandemic, will get dedicated mental health support through digital platforms developed to provide advice, social support, assistance in managing stress and anxiety, and more in-depth treatment without having to attend in-person sessions.

To ensure that older Australians in aged care are not socially isolated despite visiting restrictions, $10 million will be provided to the Community Visitors Scheme. The funding will mean extra staff to train volunteer visitors, who will connect with older people in aged care online and by phone, and assist older Australians keep in touch with the community and loved ones.

To help younger Australians stay on track in their education and training and prepare them for the workforce, $6.75 million will be provided to deliver the headspace digital work and study service and eheadspace. Mentors and headspace vocational specialists working in an integrated team will offer technical and life skills, providing a comprehensive digital support service for all young Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic and after.

For Indigenous Australians, whose elders and communities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts coronavirus, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia will develop culturally appropriate mental health and wellbeing resources. These will be available and easily accessible across a range of platforms, including print, podcast, NITV, Indigenous print media and internet/social media platforms.

$28.3 million will be utilised to continue to deliver psychosocial support to Commonwealth community mental health clients for a further 12 months. This will allow additional time for people with severe and complex mental illness to complete their applications and testing for support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Relief services for vulnerable Australians

An additional $200 million will be provided to support charities and other community organisations which provide emergency and food relief as demand surges as a result of coronavirus.

Given the unprecedented nature of the situation, emergency relief services are being heavily relied upon and this demand will increase.

The Community Support Package will provide flexible funding to boost support to services where demand is quickly increasing, including:
• Emergency Relief which will help vulnerable Australians who need assistance with bills, food, clothing or petrol and increase and retain workforce capacity including volunteers.
• Assistance for food relief organisations to source additional food and transport for emergency relief service providers, and rebuild workforce capacity.
• Immediately scale-up services through the National Debt Helpline — which is often the first point of contact for people experiencing financial difficulties, and to support one-on-one tele-financial counselling.
• Creating a short-form Financial Counselling course through Financial Counselling Australia to train new financial counsellors to boost the workforce, potentially providing hundreds of new jobs.
• Expanding access to safe, affordable financial products through the No Interest Loan Scheme which provides an immediate financial relief alternative to other high-risk, high-interest products such as credit cards and payday loans.

Media Contacts:
Prime Minister’s office: Press Office, (02) 6277 7744
Minister Payne’s office: David Wroe, 0429 531 143
Minister Hunt’s office: James Perrin, 0447 534 427
Minister Ruston’s office: Sheradyn Holderhead, 0418 514 271
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Sydney

Press Office of the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister, Canberra

The Hon Michael McCormack MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development

Leader of The Nationals

Federal Member for Riverina 

MEDIA RELEASE

28 March 2020

ADDITIONAL NEW SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL REGIONAL AVIATION SERVICES THROUGH COVID-19

The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government will provide additional support to help maintain the regional air network as part of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis with a $198 million Regional Air Network Assistance Package, bringing our total aviation commitment to $1 billion. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is having unforeseen impacts right across Australia and our aviation sector has been critically disrupted as a result of border closures and a significant reduction in patronage and service requirements.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said critical air services are needed now more than ever to connect regional Australia to freight, medical testing, supplies and essential personnel.

“This package guarantees core routes for domestic air freight will remain open and essential workers remain employed, while providing vital financial support for airlines servicing regional and remote locations,” Mr McCormack said. 

“More than 100 regional and remote airports received a scheduled passenger service last month and this funding will be welcome news for the aviation workforce and the broader communities these services support.

“The funding will ensure regional communities benefit from an ongoing airline service by underwriting airlines’ operating costs on selected routes. 

“These measures are another clear example of our commitment to regional Australia and are part of the Government’s plan to help prevent people from losing their jobs and ensuring regional and remote areas are not left behind in this uncertain climate.

“These new measures build on the $715 million in support already announced for the aviation sector, affirming the Government’s committed to supporting Australia’s aviation industry through this crisis. 

“I am speaking with industry executives and representatives daily, making sure they’re receiving the support they need and listening to what else may be required as the COVID-19 pandemic deepens. 

“Everything we are doing as a Government in response to COVID-19 is focused on saving lives and livelihoods.” 

Currently there are around 12 commercial regional airlines – aside from the Virgin Australia and Qantas groups – which operate regular scheduled passenger services across Australia. While the $198 million to support the network will assist airlines, there are critical standing costs for each airline’s safety function, regulatory compliance and minimum operational capability to be met. 

An additional $100 million is available to provide direct financial support to smaller regional airlines during this unprecedented downturn in aviation activity should it be needed.  

Airlines, contracted aero-medical providers and a range of other essential service providers can apply for consideration and subject to financial analysis, be eligible for assistance on a month-by-month basis through to 30 September 2020, where there is a demonstrated need.

The Government recognises all areas of the aviation industry are feeling the impacts of the current COVID-19 crisis. While the $100 million package is directed at smaller regional airlines, the Government is continuing to work with the larger stakeholders such as Qantas and Virgin Australia groups and it has already announced industry-wide support through a $715 million package of assistance last week.  

Altogether, the Australian Government has now committed more than $1 billion to supporting the sector in recognition of these unprecedented challenges.

Grant guidelines are being finalised and will be available shortly, together with other program documentation, through the GrantConnect website: www.grants.gov.au.

28 March 2020

ADDITIONAL NEW SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL REGIONAL AVIATION SERVICES THROUGH COVID-19

The Federal Government has allocated a $198 million Regional Air Network Assistance Package to keep planes flying to regional areas during the coronavirus crisis.

This package guarantees core routes for domestic air freight will remain open and essential workers remain employed, while providing vital financial support for airlines servicing regional and remote locations.

These new measures build on the $715 million in support already announced for the aviation sector.

Currently there are around 12 commercial regional airlines – aside from the Virgin Australia and Qantas groups – which operate regular scheduled passenger services across Australia. While the $198 million to support the network will assist airlines, there are critical standing costs for each airline’s safety function, regulatory compliance and minimum operational capability to be met. 

An additional $100 million is available to provide direct financial support to smaller regional airlines should it be needed. 

Grant guidelines are being finalised and will be available shortly, together with other program documentation, through the GrantConnect website: www.grants.gov.au.

The Hon. David Littleproud MP
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and
Emergency Management
Deputy Leader of the Nationals

Friday 27th March 2020

Cooperation the way through COVID-19 Crisis

A telephone hook-up of agricultural ministers from around the country this afternoon has discussed a range of issues facing the sector during this COVID-19 crisis.

The Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the conversation was both cooperative and constructive.

“The Federal Government sought agreement from the states to adopt the strict protocols for infection of staff found to have COVID19 and for food processing under the standards set by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand or FSANZ,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Adoption will provide clear direction to processors in addressing the safety but also continuity of their business if they find any staff to have been infected. This will provide confidence to the community that not only their food continues to remain safe but also reliable.
“State ministers were also asked to agree to the livestock saleyards and wool auctions protocols so that they can continue.

“This is an important link in the supply chain and the confirmation will reduce anxiety among the sector and producers.

“The saleyards and auctions standards that industry has put in place are both practical in reducing the threat of COVID-19 and allowing those who need to attend to do so.

“These standards includes limiting attendance to essential saleyard staff, accredited livestock agents and genuine buyers.

“I thank my state and territory colleagues for their hard work and dedication to agriculture and the nation’s food secure.

Cooperation is the way we will make it through this crisis and at when come out the other side we will have stronger and more robust agricultural sector.”

The Hon. Scott Morrison MP

Prime Minister

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 27 March 2020

UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS 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 the most rigorous coronavirus testing systems in the world with more than 180,000 tests completed – more than the USA, France or the UK, which have much larger populations. Australia’s per capita testing rate is amongst the highest in the world, now surpassing South Korea.

Intensive Care Units (ICU) will be critically important to protect the health of Australians. National Cabinet noted that Commonwealth, states and territories are working on increasing ICU and ventilator capacity – with surge capacity being prepared in the case of outbreaks.

National Cabinet received a comprehensive economic update from Treasury Secretary Dr Steven Kennedy. It noted the Commonwealth and states and territories have implemented major new economic support packages, but that even with these packages it is expected there will still be significant impacts on unemployment and economic activity.

National Cabinet thanked all Australians who are adhering to social distancing and self-isolation arrangements. Hygiene, social isolation and contact tracing are our most important measures to reduce the spread of the virus. We recognise this is a distressing time for Australians and we must stand together to ensure that we support each other.

We will continue to look at further measures as and where necessary to protect Australians. Any further measures to restrict activity may need to be flexible and calibrated to the extent of outbreaks by jurisdiction and the impact on the wellbeing of Australians and economics activity. Our goal is to start businesses and economic again after this health crisis has ended

National Cabinet will meet again on Sunday, 29 March 2020 and consider issues including responses to address. Commercial and residential tenancies and health supply arrangements

Returning Travellers

Substantial numbers of returned travellers and small community outbreaks associated with travellers continue to contribute most of the significant further growth in COVID-19 cases in Australia.

In order to help drive down this concerning number of imported cases, National Cabinet has agreed to take action to further restrict the movement of incoming travellers and to increase compliance checks on travellers who are already undertaking their mandatory self-isolation period at home. This is about reducing the spread of the virus in Australia and saving lives

National Cabinet agreed that:

1. As soon as possible, but no later than 11:59pm Saturday 28 March 2020, all travellers arriving in Australia will be required to undertake their mandatory 14 day self-isolation at designated facilities (for example, a hotel).
2.
3.

1. Travellers will be transported directly to designated facilities after appropriate immigration, customs and enhanced health checks.

2. Designated facilities will be determined by the relevant state or territory government and will ordinarily be in the city of entry where the traveller has cleared immigration, but facilities in other areas may be used if required.

3. These requirements will be implemented under state and territory legislation and will be enforced by state and territory governments, with the support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) where necessary.

4. The Commonwealth will provide support through the ABF and ADF for these arrangements across Australia, and that states and territories would meet the costs and determine any contributions required for travellers arriving within their jurisdictions.

5. Air and maritime crews will be required to continue to undertake the existing precautions they are following where they self-isolate in their accommodation if they enter Australia until their next work voyage.

4. The Australian Defence Force will begin assisting state and territory governments to undertake quarantine compliance checks of those who are required to be in mandatory isolation after returning from overseas.
5.
6.

1. ADF personnel will bolster local police efforts in visiting the homes and residences of Australians who are in mandatory isolation as directed by state and territory governments and will report to the local police whether the identified individual was at the residence.

ADF assistance will be provided under the Defence Assistance to the Civil Community arrangements.

These new requirements will build on the existing support the Australian Defence Force is providing to the COVID-19 response, including:

• Assistance to the states and territories to support contact tracing efforts.

• Supporting industry with the production of surgical masks.

• Provision of planning and logistics support to Commonwealth, state and territory agencies.

• Provision of personnel to other agencies, including Services Australia.

• Supporting the NT Police with border control operations.

• Assisting states and territories to support the production of food hampers to supply to isolated civilians.

Statement on Schools by the National Cabinet

It is no longer business as usual for our schools, as we adapt to the impact of COVID-19.

We are now in a transition phase until the end of term as schools prepare for a new mode of operation following the school holidays.

For principals, teachers and support staff, the next few months will bring incredible challenges for our education system. We understand they need time to engage in the professional preparation and planning that is required to ensure that every child has access to education during this difficult time in a sustainable and effective manner for the rest of the 2020 school year.

Some states and territories have moved to pupil-free days already and each state and territory will come to their own transition arrangements with their workforce for the rest of this term.

While the medical advice remains that it is safe for children to go to school, to assist with the transition underway in our schools to the new mode of operation we ask that only children of workers for whom no suitable care arrangements are available at home to support their learning, physically attend school. This is vital to ensure that no parent should be forced to choose between their employment and the children’s education.

We understand the need for clear, nationally consistent health and safety advice so we have asked the AHPPC to develop guidelines about how staff in schools can protect themselves, manage social distance requirements and cater for those students who are at school. This will include guidelines for staff who work with vulnerable children, particularly those who have additional needs.

For education staff who identify as high risk, vulnerable or are caring for vulnerable family members, you will be supported to work from home.

We will continue to meet with education stakeholders and unions so that we can understand the education challenges for our communities and work constructively towards solutions. That will include the National Cabinet’s consideration of the measures needed for early childhood settings and TAFE.

Partnering with private hospitals

National Cabinet agreed to the importance of a strong and viable private hospital sector to bolster Australia’s response to COVID-19.

State and territory governments committed to urgently finalise arrangements with private hospitals under the COVID-19 National Partnership Agreement by 29 March 2020, to ensure sufficient and viable capacity exists within the private hospital sector both through the COVID-19 response and on an ongoing basis.

The private hospital system can play an important role in supporting the acute and intensive care needs of infected Australians together with other continuing urgent care needs. The capacity of the private system for non COVID cases and for overflow, particularly from ICU facilities, may be critical to Australia’s response.