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World News
Queensland marks 100 days without community transmission
Brisbane, Dec 24: It’s now been 100 days since Queensland last recorded a case of COVID-19 acquired in the Queensland community. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the hard work of Queenslanders has helped to ensure Queensland continues to be in a strong position against COVID-19. “Since 15 September 2020, we haven’t had a single case of COVID-19 acquired in the Queensland community,” Minister D’Ath said. “This is a remarkable achievement, and Queenslanders and visitors to Queensland should be very proud of the personal efforts they have made towards this milestone in the pandemic response. “We are all in this together, and everyone has a role to play to limit the spread of COVID-19,” she said. Minister D’Ath said since the start of the pandemic, Queensland has responded strongly. “We’ve had to implement some tough measures throughout 2020, but they have been essential to save lives and protect the health of Queenslanders,” she said. “While we still have some restrictions in place, we are slowly and steadily lifting restrictions in a sensible and balanced way. “Now we are able to travel within the state and interstate, enjoy private gatherings in outdoor public spaces up to 100 people, have up to 200 people at a wedding, indoor and outdoor dancing is allowed, and venues with ticketed, allocated seating can have up to 100 per cent capacity,” she said. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said Queenslanders still needed to careful, especially over the festive season as family and friends get together for gatherings and more interstate visitors come to Queensland. “While COVID-19 remains a threat around the globe, we still need to be careful and make sure we don’t undo all our hard work,” Dr Young said. “As we’ve seen in Sydney, clusters can appear almost overnight and it may mean restrictions and even
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Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath
lockdowns have to be reinstated. “I don’t want to see that happen in Queensland, and that’s why it’s so important to practice social distancing when you’re out and about over the festive season so everyone can enjoy their Christmas and New Year. “I continue to encourage you to get tested if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, and make sure any family and friends visiting from interstate know they can get tested too at any of our testing clinics. “We want to do everything we possibly can to make sure that we do not get any community transmission here in Queensland,” she said. Hospitality venues such as pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and other venues that serve food and drink are reminded they should now be recording and storing contact details of patrons, guests and staff electronically following changes to the Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No.12). People have been encouraged to use a QR code when checking in to a venue if it is available. If a venue does not have a QR code or you don’t have a smart phone, speak to venue staff so they can record your details in an electronic form. Contact details must be kept electronically so data can be accessed quickly and efficiently to support contact tracing efforts, and to ensure all information is legible at the time of collection. Compliance officers will work with businesses in coming weeks to ensure they understand their responsibilities and comply with Queensland Chief Health Officer Directions.
Brisbane, Dec 23: Queenslanders Training and Skills Dianne services in the event of future who rely on interpreters to Farmer said the funding had the disasters. access essential services will soon potential to kickstart vital careers. “Qualified interpreters are a have greater assistance with the “We are providing opportunities life-line for those who may find Palaszczuk Government providing for up to 100 Queenslanders it difficult communicating in $740,000 over three years to to gain jobs in the interpreting English, as we found during the boost the number of Interpreters industry and this investment pandemic, and we need more who are certified by the National will ensure Queenslanders have of them, across a wide range of Accreditation Authority for the skills they need to set up languages,” she said. Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). employment pathways for the future,” Farmer said. “They play a vital role in some of life’s most important and Working in collaboration with Multicultural Affairs Minister sometimes stressful moments NAATI, an Interpreter Training Leanne Linard said there were – like visiting the doctor and Boost Program will be launched in more than 180 overseas languages getting a COVID-19 test, obtaining 2021 to support people who speak spoken in Queensland and the assistance during hailstorms, in-demand languages by assisting COVID-19 pandemic had shown bushfires and cyclones. Their with their interpreter training an urgent need for interpreters work is also crucial for English and NAATI certification fees. in some languages to help speaking professionals seeking to Minister for Employment, Queenslanders access essential provide best care and services.”
Queensland government reforms to support public transport operators
Brisbane, Dec 22: The Palaszczuk reforms will allow both heavy and Government has announced it light public passenger transport will slash the regulatory burden vehicles to be inspected at a local for bus and other public transport station instead of TMR inspection operators, to support the industry centres. as part of Queensland’s plan for The reforms bring the industry economic recovery. into line with personalised In a move expected to save transport services like taxis, operators more than $1.5 million limousine and booked hire each year and generate business vehicles. for local automotive shops, “This move adds to our record Transport and Main Roads $26.9 billion road and transport Minister Mark Bailey said from investment program, as well as Transport and Main Roads mid-2021, inspections would support measures introduced Minister Mark Baileymove to an annual basis and light public transport vehicles would have the option to be inspected at local approved inspection stations. during COVID-19 as part of a $54.5 million essential transport stimulus package,” Mr Bailey said. To ensure high safety standards are maintained continued onoperations will be used to monitor the condition of the public passenger transport fleet, anytime and anywhere. For operators in remote areas, the road enforcement and targeted
Queensland agribusiness a story of
resilience in trying times seafood producers have had to redirect produce, move into Brisbane, Dec 21: Queensland’s “The impact of the pandemic on incentives such as bonuses and agribusiness and food sector Queensland’s primary industries payments above the award rate, is holding firm in the face of is expected to be a decrease of $87 and adjust planting decisions. COVID-19 with new data showing million at the farm gate in 2020- Fruit and vegetables, cut flowers, the 2020-21 forecast value of 21,” Furner said. forestry and fisheries will be the primary industries commodities “But it could have been much most affected, with a decrease to be $18.4 billion, which is just worse and some sectors have of $179 million. More than half of one per cent lower than for 2019- actually thrived. In 2020-21, this is expected to be offset by 20. Queensland’s bulk commodities increased output in production Minister for Agricultural Industry and exports of high value nurseries. Development and Fisheries and products are expected to “Looking ahead, forecast rainfall Minister for Rural Communities continue, while nursery sales have over the Queensland summer Mark Furner said this was surged due to strong interest in holds the promise of good news remarkable after years of drought home gardening. for the major cropping regions and sector wide disruption from “However, horticulture and and grazing lands,” Furner said.the pandemic.
Brisbane CBD set for billion-dollar boost
Brisbane, Dec 21: Two redevelopment of 200 Turbot State Development Steven Miles redevelopments worth almost Street. said plans for a proposed $670 $3 billion collectively and set to The $2.1 billion Waterfront million redevelopment of 200 transform Brisbane city reached Brisbane development of the Turbot Street in Brisbane’s CBD significant milestones recently. Eagle Street Pier and Waterfront are one step closer. The Queensland Government has Place precinct has also received “Queensland is getting on secured a conditional agreement development approval from with our economic recovery with property group Mirvac Brisbane City Council. by supporting job-generating for the proposed $670 million Deputy Premier and Minister for projects,” Miles said. “Following a competitive bidding process, the Queensland Government is pleased to have secured a conditional agreement with property group Mirvac for the redevelopment of 200 Turbot Street. “The major redevelopment is estimated to support about 360 jobs per year over a proposed three-year construction phase. value added products, offer wage “Redevelopment of the site is conditional on Mirvac securing arrangements that will ensure the site becomes a vital part of Queensland’s commercial sector and stimulates construction activity. Member for McConnell Grace Grace said both projects were a major win for Brisbane’s CBD.
2020 Multicultural Awards: Australian Indians shine among Victorian recipients
Melbourne, Dec 17: In 2020, 71 Victorians were recognised from more than 450 nominations across 15 categories, highlighting the passionate work of individuals and organisations that are strengthening multiculturalism. Australian Indians in Victorian community dominated to shine in many categories. Youth Leadership Award This award recognises the outstanding contributions of a young person, group or organisation that provides leadership, empowerment, and support to young Victorians from culturally diverse backgrounds. Winner is Sarah Ghassali she is a 19-year-old Syrian migrant who fled Aleppo, Syria with her family to Melbourne in May of 2012. Sarah established the youth-led podcast Refugees on Air at the age of 16 with her twin sister Maya as a platform to raise awareness and bring a voice to refugee and migrant stories in the Melbourne community. Highly commended were Ayushi Khillian and Swathi Shanmukhasundaram. Media Award This award recognises outstanding reporting of issues of importance to diverse communities and reporting that contributes to Victorians’ improved cross-cultural understanding. Winners are Stephanie Corsetti: Journalist Stephanie Corsetti is dedicated to giving multicultural communities a voice in media. Her work relays the experience and explores the stigma of family violence in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters Council. On 1 May 2020, the NEMBC launched a Multilingual Radio News Service in seven languages: Spanish, Greek, Hindi, Arabic, Punjabi, Pacific Islander English, and Mandarin. News editors collected and provided news scripts at 8.00am every morning, which were translated and produced as audio files for the morning and daily news. Highly commended were Olivier Nzovu and SBS Radio. Multicultural Police Award Police Annual Multicultural Award was received by Leading Senior Constable Ash Dixit along with 8 others. Ash Dixit has done valuable police liaison work with Punjabi and Sikh community groups in the Cities of Hume and Whittlesea to address family violence. Senior Constable Dixit works across numerous multicultural communities and has been described as a true multicultural champion by community and police alike for his steadfast dedication to ensuring that Victoria remains a safe place to live for those newly arrived persons who seek to call
Senior Constable Ash Dixit (left)
Australia home. Community Response and Recovery Award Sukhvinder ‘Sunny’ Duggal, Sunny Duggal is recognised for his inspiring efforts in supporting communities across Melbourne and East Gippsland during the Victorian bushfires and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Through his incredible work delivering over seven tonnes of food and other essential items to frontline healthcare and emergency services workers, residents of aged care, international students, and other communities in need, Sunny has demonstrated how much impact one person can have on so many. Sunny’s passion and drive to serve the community throughout 2020 has motivated individuals and organisations to follow his lead, as an exemplary model of what support of multicultural communities in Victoria should look like. 6 others also shared this prestigious award with Mr Duggal. Education Award Coordinated by Merri Health, Ready, Set, Prep! is a place-based, collective impact initiative that aims to improve early childhood development and school readiness for pre-school children and their families. Originating in the suburb of Fawkner, the project is currently scaling up across northern Moreland. Though Highly Commended was ECMS, Tarneit Central Kindergarten the Tarneit Central Kindergarten’s Bilingual Early Childhood Language Program provides children with the opportunity to learn in Punjabi. Educators have observed that the children have become more connected with one another and more willing to share aspects of their own culture through the program.
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Boost to community projects and services in bushfire areas
Melbourne, Dec 22: Nine community organisations across the North East and East Gippsland will share in over $465,000 in bushfire recovery grants to support projects that boost resilience, service delivery and community pride. Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville on December 22 congratulated the latest recipients of Bushfire Recovery Victoria’s grants for community facilities, Local Government Authorities, and community service organisations, which include a much-loved community hall built in the 1950s that needs vital upgrades. East Gippsland’s Cabbage Tree Creek Hall hosts community meetings and events, music and dance, a gym for seniors, and more. Funding of $44,139 will upgrade the hall’s sewerage and wiring and build a veranda. North East-based APMHA HealthCare received $90,000 to develop the North East Interactive Service Directory, to connect people to ongoing government and not-for-profit support in Alpine, Towong and surrounding shires. The organisation’s CEO, Renee Hayden, said the project was Melbourne, Dec 27: Victorian researchers are embarking on one of the largest health studies in the world, tracking a whole generation of Victorians to paint a complete picture of their health and wellbeing, and to help provide answers to complex health issues like asthma, food allergies, obesity, autism and mental illness. Over the next two years around 150,000 children born in Victoria and their parents will have the opportunity to take part in the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Generation Victoria (GenV) project – officially “a top priority for recovery and wellbeing groups in the region”, with the grant funding helping it become “a sustainable product for the community so they always know where to go for assistance – without it, we would not be able to do anything else.” Other recipients of Bushfire Recovery Victoria’s grants for community facilities, Local Government Authorities and community service organisations include: • $144,000 for Parklands Albury Wodonga to deliver Wodonga Regional Park infrastructure and connect seniors into volunteering. • $50,000 for a new playground in Sarsfield next to the community’s hall, which is used by locals as a place to get support and information, come together for meals, and conduct workshops. • $49,731 for the Stanley Landcare Group to improve current bushwalking facilities to encourage visitors and locals to explore the natural landscape. • $47,850 to upgrade the Dederang Picnic Race Club’s rooms, including re-stumping and renovating the original bathrooms. • $25,000 to the Corryong and launched on December 27. Starting at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital, the project will roll out to all Victorian birthing hospitals throughout 2021, providing families with a baby born between 2021 and 2023 the opportunity to join the longterm study, no matter where they live. The opt-in project will explore critical links between environment, genetics, physical characteristics and development milestones later in life. All information obtained in the study will be de-identified and the
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
District Memorial Hall to develop the streetscape around the hall and memorial gardens with public art, information, and a grassed area. • $10,500 for the Bright Art Gallery and Cultural Centre to install solar panels to offset electricity costs. • $4,298 for the Myrtleford Bowls Club to replace their solar inverter and ensure ongoing cost savings. Further funding is available under the grants, jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments as part of the $86 million Community Recovery
Boxing day test to kick off a Covidsafe summer
Melbourne, Dec 26: A marvellous sure the event stays safe. To help attend the game. Broadcast in summer of cricket got underway ensure fans have a COVIDSafe over 100 countries, the Boxing on December 26 with the Boxing day out, the Melbourne Cricket Day Test is an iconic symbol of Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Club and Cricket Australia have Melbourne. The Border-Gavaskar Ground signalling the return implemented a comprehensive trophy is one of the most fiercely of major events to the sporting COVIDSafe Event Plan, ensuring contested in cricket, with world capital of Australia. Minister the health and safety of players, number-one Australia seeking for Tourism, Sport and Major spectators and workers. This to take the trophy back from the Events Martin Pakula was at the includes a limit to the crowd size, Indian side this summer. India MCG on December 26 to thank COVIDSafe Marshals at the venue won the last Boxing Day Test all Victorians for their efforts to ensure physical distancing played between the two sides in and sacrifice to stop the spread within the MCG and in queues, 2018. Australia is scheduled to of coronavirus and make events allocated and staggered seating to play the Boxing Day Test at the like the Test possible. This was ensure groups are spaced apart, MCG against England in 2021 and the first time that fans were able sanitiser stations throughout South Africa in 2022. The Boxing to attend any sporting event at the precinct and cashless Day Test kick-starts an actionthe MCG since the ICC Women’s transactions. Those who booked packed COVIDSafe summer of T20 World Cup Final on 8 March. tickets with a New South Wales cricket, which also includes six A crowd of up to 30,000 per day address have been contacted with Big Bash fixtures at the MCG will see Australia take on India a reminder about the current featuring Melbourne’s own Stars at the MCG, with strict public restrictions in place and offered and Renegades in January. health measures to help make refunds if they are unable to
Study to map the health of Victorians through decades
Package. highest privacy provisions will be enforced. The first project of its kind in Australia, GenV will give Victoria’s research community access to a more complete picture of the health and wellbeing of a generation, providing the insight and information needed to make breakthroughs in some of the most complex health problems faced by families. As part of the GenV project, one of the world’s largest bio-banking facilities was recently built at the Royal Children’s Hospital to store and protect bio samples.
