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…

French Island safe haven for native species

French Island will become a safe haven for hundreds of species of birds, marsupials and endangered native animals, thanks to an Environment Restoration Fund (ERF) investment in eradicating feral cats.   The Morrison Government will contribute $335,000 through the ERF to help establish the wildlife safe haven on French Island, 60 kilometres south east of…

$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…

New HeadtoHelp Mental Health Clinics for Victoria

From today, Victorians will have access to additional free 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 across the state…

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…

Australian made nasal swab kits for COVID-19 testing

The Australian Government has signed a $3.7 million contract with a Melbourne company to supply sterile nasal swab kits to the National Medical Stockpile.   3DMeditech will supply Australian made, 3D printed nasopharyngeal swab kits. The kits will be issued from the stockpile to general practitioners, private pathology providers and state and territory governments according…