Australia’s first strategic action plan for blood cancers

As part of the 2020/21 Budget, the Morrison Government will provide more than $600,000 to the Leukaemia Foundation as part of Australia’s first National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer. Blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, are estimated to account for more than one in 10 cancer deaths in Australia this year. The number…

New treatment available free for Haemophilia A patients

I am pleased to announce all Australian governments have agreed to fund a new treatment for haemophilia patients, through our national blood arrangements. Hemlibra®, also known as emicizumab, will be made available to eligible patients free of charge through the National Blood Authority (NBA), which is jointly funded by the Australian Government and all states…

Transcript – Sunrise interview with Samantha Armytage

E&OE: Australia joins COVAX.   SAMANTHA ARMYTAGE:          Australians will have greater access to a COVID-19 cure after the Federal Government struck a deal to join a global vaccine facility called COVAX. It’s a collaboration between health organisations, including the WHO. It’s designed to ensure fair access to any potential vaccine. Eighty countries are on board…

Australia now eligible to purchase Covid-19 vaccine doses through COVAX

The Australian Government has joined the COVAX facility, enabling the purchase of COVID-19 vaccine doses as they become available.   The COVAX facility provides access to a large portfolio of COVID-19 vaccine candidates and manufacturers across the world.   This agreement opens up additional supplies for Australia, from which we could access vaccines for up…

Further investment in three new COVID-19 vaccine research projects

The Morrison Government will invest almost $6 million in additional funding from the Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Coronavirus Research Response to support research and development of three Australian COVID-19 vaccines.   The rapid development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a critical Australian Government priority.   Under the competitive, peer reviewed COVID-19 Vaccine…

$2 BILLION TO EXTEND CRITICAL HEALTH SERVICES ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Millions of Australians will continue to receive medical care and support in their own homes with the Morrison Government investing more than $2 billion to extend a range of COVID-19 health measures for a further six months, to 31 March 2021.   Medicare-subsidised telehealth and pathology services, GP-led respiratory clinics, home medicines delivery, public and…

Transcript – Doorstop – Melbourne

E&OE… Topics: New Head to Help clinics in Victoria, Victorian COVID-19 road map; vaccine development GREG HUNT: Good afternoon everyone. Today is a day of hope and help. Hope and help for Australians. In particular, it’s a day for help with mental health. That’s why I’m joined by Professor Ruth Vine, the Deputy Chief Medical…

Government launches new COVID-19 Mental Health Clinics in Victoria

From Monday 14 September 2020, Victorians will have access to additional mental health support with 15 new dedicated mental health clinics opening to the public.   The clinics, announced on 17 August as part of a $31.9 million federal government mental health package to support Victorians during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been rapidly rolled out…

Salvation Army residential rehab in Townsville opens

Adults and young people across Townsville and the region will have increased access to drug and alcohol treatment services as a result of an Australian Government investment of more than $6 million in the Salvation Army rehabilitation and detox centre. Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, and Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM, welcomed the opening…