Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck

Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians

Minister for Youth and Sport

25 March 2020

AGED CARE ACTIVITIES PAUSE DUE TO COVID-19

With considerable resources from the Aged Care sector and Government now required in the campaign to keep Senior Australians safe during the COVID-19 outbreak – several long term measures will be put on hold for at least six months.

The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) assessment trial, the 2020 Aged Care Approval Round and the implementation of the home care payment alignment project will all be postponed as the Morrison Government deals with an unprecedented health emergency.

But Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, said the support for our loved ones would remain a priority.

Additional funding of $444.6 million is expected to strengthen the industry, with specific mechanisms to reinforce the aged care workforce and training.

An online infection prevention and control training module is among measures and has been completed by over 25,000 staff so far.

“Making sure aged care providers can continue to provide safe, quality care for residents is our combined goal,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases with age so we want to make sure Senior Australians are not at increased risk by exposure to non-essential visitors, including assessors.”

Minister Colbeck said the Government committed $4.6 million to the AN-ACC trial with more than 7,000 assessments completed across 120 facilities – but it would not be rolled out at any new sites until further notice.

“So far, the trial has provided valuable information and insights into the AN-ACC assessment process and I know many facilities are still eager to participate when it recommences at a later date,” Minister Colbeck said.

He said the 2020 Aged Care Approval Round (ACAR) was initially due to open in March, but would now be set back for at least six months.

“The Government will work with aged care peak bodies and other key stakeholders to determine the precise timing of the next round,” Minister Colbeck said.

“By delaying the 2020 ACAR, providers can concentrate their efforts on helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 instead of filling in application forms.”

Application forms, guidance materials and other resources will be published on the 2020 ACAR page when the round opens.

The implementation of improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages to align with other Government programs, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, will also be placed on hold.

Minister Colbeck said consultations with the home care sector would help determine when this would recommence.

“In the meantime, the current advance and claim payment cycle with Services Australia will continue,” he said.

“The health and wellbeing of older people receiving aged care services is the overwhelming priority for the Government.

“I thank aged care providers for their commitment to ensure continued quality of care for our senior Australians throughout this very difficult time.”

The Hon. Scott Morrison MP

Prime Minister

MEDIA STATEMENT

Friday 27 March 2020

EXTRAORDINARY G20 LEADERS’ SUMMIT

Overnight I joined G20 leaders for an extraordinary Summit, hosted by His Majesty King Salman of Saudi Arabia.

 The G20 has come together to tackle what will be one of the most difficult and severe crises any of us will face.

The COVID-19 virus respects no borders.

On behalf of Australia, I urged G20 leaders to do whatever it takes to fight this twin crisis: to save lives and overcome the pandemic, and to cushion the economic blow.

G20 HEALTH RESPONSE 

Working together our countries can speed up research and the discovery of a vaccine and anti-viral drugs.

We will work in partnership on a vaccine.

We may be closing borders for now to stop the spread of coronavirus but we are committed to sharing ideas and collaborating on research.

Australia’s world-leading researchers are working tirelessly with international partners to strengthen testing, develop treatments and, critically, to find a vaccine.

The G20 will take all necessary health measures to contain the pandemic and protect the world’s citizens.

Crucially, we agreed to expand manufacturing capacity for medical supplies to ensure these are made widely available, at an affordable price, on an equitable basis, where they are most needed and as quickly as possible.

ECONOMIC RESPONSE

Collectively, G20 economies are injecting trillions into the global economy, as part of targeted fiscal policy and economic measures to counteract the social, economic and financial impacts of the pandemic.

Australia has already announced economic measures worth nearly 10 per cent of GDP. I urged the G20 to act with resolve and urgency.

Collective G20 action will amplify our efforts.

We have also agreed to resolve disruptions to supply chains, to secure the flow of vital medical supplies.

SUPPORTING THE PACIFIC AND TIMOR-LESTE

I explained to G20 leaders that our Pacific island family must be a focus of international support.

There has never been a more important time for Australia’s Pacific Step-up as we all face these massive challenges.

Since January, Australia has provided support for laboratories and public information campaigns, medical equipment, health expertise and for the WHO’s regional preparedness plan. We are reconfiguring our development assistance to ensure critical health services can continue to function and to help our Pacific neighbours and Timor-Leste to manage the immediate economic impacts of the pandemic.

As we fight this virus on our shores, in our region or around the world, the G20 has committed to working together to stop the spread and to save lives. 

The Hon. David Littleproud MP

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and

Emergency Management

Deputy Leader of the Nationals

Friday 27th March 2020

Call for calm cooperation on COVID-19  

The Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has written to the Premier of Queensland to call for action to create calm in South West Qld, where thousands of southerners and people from south east Qld have flocked to escape coronavirus.

Minister Littleproud said there is growing anxiety and even reports of vigilantism in some small communities, as they panic they may be infected from people coming from more populated areas.

The Premier has asked people to stay at home but instead some have surged to remote areas to escape the virus.

“Unfortunately this action could turn caravans into the cruise ships of the outback if someone is infected and spreads it in small communities with the health resources to support them,” Minister Littleproud said.

A number of mayors have expressed concern to me and want the state government to have a plan to mitigate the risks.

“I’ve asked the Premier to work calmly and methodically with all levels of government to make sure there is no unnecessary movement of people into the towns and there is a process put in place to protect those residents in small communities.

“Let’s reassure our regional and rural towns that we are working together and calmly finding the solutions for the wellbeing of those communities not just those in big cities.”   

The Hon. David Littleproud MP

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and

Emergency Management

Deputy Leader of the Nationals

Friday 27th March 2020

Agriculture saleyards and auctions can continue

The Minister for Agriculture and Emergency Management, David Littleproud confirmed today that livestock saleyards and wool auctions are able to continue.

“These are an essential part of the broader agriculture supply chain,” Minister Littleproud said.

“They are different to real estate auctions because of their importance to the nation.

“The Government is working tirelessly to safeguard the supply chain from the farm to the market.

“In particular, interruptions to livestock saleyards could impact adversely on the availability and price of meat.  

“Like the rest of Australia, livestock saleyards and wool auctions will need to comply with strict social distancing and hygiene practices.

“This includes no more than one person per four square metres at indoor auctions and any other particular requirements of your jurisdiction.

“Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, avoid touching your face and if sick, stay home.

“I thank the National Auction Selling Committee and the individual saleyards that have already taken steps to implement social distancing protocols.

“And I ask those involved to please consider if their livestock saleyards and wool auctions can be held online, remotely, deferred or be cancelled to do so.

“Agriculture and food security are critical to Australia at the best of times. They are even more so during this the COVID-19 crisis.” 

 Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

Minister for Families and Social Services

Manager of Government Business in the Senate

25 March 2020

Media Release

TEMPORARY PAUSE ON NEW CASHLESS DEBIT CARD TRIAL PARTICIPANTS

The Morrison Government is placing a temporary pause on placing new eligible participants on to the Cashless Debit Card in all existing trial sites.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the pause would help Services Australia to focus its resources on the critical task of processing new claims for social security payments during the fallout of the Coronavirus.

“The Government’s absolute priority is to make sure eligible Australians can access the financial support they need as we face of devastating job losses across the country,” Minister Ruston said.

“We remain committed to the Cashless Debit Card trials which are aimed at reducing social harm associated with drugs, alcohol and gambling addiction and helping people to manage their finances.

“However, during this challenging time we must make difficult decisions about how to best prioritise Services Australia’s workforce.”

There will be no change to arrangements for existing Cashless Debit Card participants and support services will continue to operate business as usual.

The Cashless Debit Card operates in the East Kimberley, Ceduna, the Goldfields and Bundaberg/Hervey Bay.

THE HON DAN TEHAN MP

Minister for Education

MEDIA RELEASE

26 March 2020

STATEMENT ON CHILD CARE

The current expert medical advice is that the child care sector should remain open except where individual services have been directed to close by health authorities.

The Government is aware of the challenges facing the Child Care sector because of reduced attendance.

I am working with the sector to minimise the impact of COVID-19, and we already have implemented additional support arrangements.

To support the sector, we have increased the number of days, up to 62, that a child care service will continue to receive the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) when a child is absent from care. The CCS covers up to 85 per cent of the daily costs of a child’s care.

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 are available for child care providers through the Community Child Care Special Circumstances Fund to help cover business costs, including wages, to ensure services impacted by COVID-19 can continue to operate.

Families with financial difficulty can apply for funding through the ACCS (temporary financial hardship fund) to cover child care gap fees.

One of the key ways all governments can support the sector is through regulatory relief and this is on the agenda for Education Council tomorrow.

We continue to assess the issues facing the sector and we will continue to work with them to manage the impact of the coronavirus.

I will have more to say on this in the coming days.

Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

Minister for Families and Social Services

Manager of Government Business in the Senate

 Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business

Joint Media Release

26 March 2020

SUPPORTING SOLE TRADERS THROUGH THE EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS

The Morrison Government is expanding the eligibility criteria for JobSeeker Payment to support sole traders and Australians who are self-employed if their income is negatively affected by the economic impact of the Coronavirus.

Under temporary changes to social security rules, sole traders will be encouraged to keep their business operating but may be able to access income support should their earnings take a significant hit.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the changes mean that sole traders who were now eligible for JobSeeker or Youth Allowance (other) would also receive the $550 fortnightly Coronavirus supplement.

“The Government is absolutely committed to supporting all Australians get through the coming months so we can all bounce back stronger than ever,” Minister Ruston said.

“These rules are designed to make sure sole traders can access income support if they find their income significantly reduced through no fault of their own.”

Previously to determine if a self-employed person was unemployed for the purpose of accessing social security payments they had to be genuinely willing to seek and be available to take up alternative work effectively requiring their business to close.

If someone remained committed to continuing with their business then they were not considered unemployed and could not access payments.

This test has been temporarily removed to allow sole traders to continue operating. Income testing will apply consistent with current arrangements which allows individuals to earn more than $1000 per fortnight before losing access to payment.

Under the temporary arrangements a range of JobSeeker Payment eligibility criteria has been relaxed including waiving the assets test, liquid assets waiting period, seasonal work preclusion period and newly arrived residents’ waiting period.

Minister for Employment, Skills and Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said in line with the changes sole traders would be able to use work in their own business to meet their mutual obligations.

“We are making sure that sole traders have maximum flexibility to maintain cash flow in these extraordinary circumstances,” Minister Cash said.

For more information go to www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/coronavirus-information- and-support

NEW TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR REMOTE AREAS

 From 11.59pm tonight, anyone wanting to access remote indigenous communities will need to self-isolate for 14 days before they can enter.

The areas where restrictions apply will be communicated by the State and Territory Governments prior to commencement.
Governments will support people who do not have appropriate alternate arrangements to self-isolate.

There will be exemptions to the travel restrictions for people entering to supply and deliver essential services.
People already in remote communities should stay there unless it is essential to leave for medical treatment.

Communities affected by this announcement include Wujal Wujal and Cape York to Torres Strait, Doomadgee, Woorabinda and Cherbourg.

More information is being posted on www.niaa.gov.au and www.indigenous.gov.au

If you intend to travel to those areas, you will need a permit which is available here Travel in Cook Shire Entry Permit Application – March 2020.v9

The Australian Government is working in close collaboration with State and Territory Governments to help save Australian lives by stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Following agreement from the National Cabinet, the movement into certain remote areas is being restricted to protect some of our most vulnerable Australians.

From 11:59pm Thursday 26 March 2020, anyone wishing to enter designated areas will need to self-isolate for 14 days before they can enter. This is a requirement that will be made by the Minister for Health under the Commonwealth’s Biosecurity Act 2015 and includes residents of communities in these areas.

The areas where restrictions apply will be communicated by the State and Territory Governments prior to commencement.

Governments will support people who do not have appropriate alternate arrangements to self-isolate.

There will be exemptions to the travel restrictions for people entering to supply and deliver essential services and Governments are working hard to make sure these essential services and supplies will continue to remote areas.

People already in remote communities should stay there unless it is essential to leave for medical treatment.

Information relevant to Indigenous communities is being posted on www.niaa.gov.au and www.indigenous.gov.au