QUEENSLAND will become the first Australian jurisdiction to administer COVID vaccines to all international seafarers arriving in local ports, with a trial program commencing in the coming weeks aimed at reducing the risk of serious illness and community transmission.

Maritime Safety Queensland, working with Queensland Health, has developed a vaccination program that will commence with high risk vessels, ships that visit Australian ports on a regular schedule, those that carry liquid fuels, and finally all other vessels arriving at Queensland ports.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation, along with employer organisations including Maritime Industry Australia Ltd and Shipping Australia, have welcomed the initiative that will not only protect the health of seafarers, but strengthen Australia’s supply chains.

ITF Australia coordinator Ian Bray said 10 percent of the world’s sea trade passes through Australian ports, with maritime supply chains responsible for delivering essential goods and taking Australia’s exports to the world.

“International seafarers are the backbone of the economy, but a growing number of COVID outbreaks on vessels arriving in Australian ports highlights the need for urgent action to protect the health of these workers, reduce the risk of community transmission, and strengthen supply chain resilience,” Mr Bray said.

“Many of the vessels that travel through Australian ports visit regularly — often on the same routes — making it easy to administer both doses of vaccine to seafarers over a period of months.

“Even for crews that only visit an Australian port once, the health advice is that a single dose of vaccine significantly reduces the risk of them requiring hospitalisation.”

ITF president and Maritime Union of Australia national secretary Paddy Crumlin said the Australian Government should immediately take the model to the National Cabinet so that it can be rolled out around the country.

“This Australian-first model developed by Maritime Safety Queensland and Queensland Health has the potential to save countless lives and should be taken to National Cabinet as a matter of urgency so it can be implemented around the country,” Mr Crumlin said.

“Without ships, Australia’s economy would grind to a halt, which is why COVID testing of all international seafarers arriving in Australian ports, the provision of healthcare to sick workers, and a national plan to vaccinate the entire workforce is so important.

“This approach would also be consistent with Australia’s legal obligations as a signatory to the Maritime Labour Convention, which make it responsible for the health and welfare of the seafarers that arrive in our ports.”

About the ITF and ITF Inspectorate

The International Transport Workers' Federation is a democratic global union federation of 670 transport workers trade unions representing over 20 million workers in 140 countries. The ITF works to improve the lives of transport workers globally, encouraging and organising international solidarity among its network of affiliates. The ITF represents the interests of transport workers' unions in bodies that take decisions affecting jobs, employment conditions or safety in the transport industry.

The ITF Inspectorate is a network of 147 inspectors and contacts, based in ports all over the world, whose job is to inspect ships calling in their ports to ensure the seafarers have decent pay, working conditions and living conditions on board. They conduct routine inspections and also visit ships on request of the crew. If necessary they assist with actions to protect seafarers' rights as permitted by law.

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THE Financial Services Council (FSC) has welcomed the revised draft legislation released by the Federal Government to implement the Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle (CCIV).

FSC CEO Sally Loane said, “The FSC has been advocating for the introduction of the CCIV for many years because of its potential to unlock significantly increased export investment in Australia’s sophisticated funds management industry.

“We are supportive of significant changes to the revised draft, particularly to remove tax penalties on CCIVs, increase flexibility on CCIVs using custodians, improve the ability of CCIVs to list on financial markets, and allow cross-investment between CCIV sub-funds,” Ms Loane said.

“The FSC will review the draft closely with members and respond to the consultation in due course.

“Finalising a competitive CCIV regime and removing tax barriers on Australian fund managers will help deliver an economic windfall as the economy recovers from the COVID-induced downturn.

“Foreign capital currently only contributes just over five percent of investment into Australian managed funds, $126 billion as a proportion of $2.2 trillion. The FSC has long advocated for using our large and successful funds management sector’s untapped potential as a major export opportunity.

“We want to see Australia financial services industry continue to grow, and reforms such as the CCIV will ensure the industry and Australia can help drive the economy forward,” Ms Loane said.

www.fsc.org.au

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has tabled the report for its inquiry into regulatory activities.

The committee’s report examines the work of five different regulatory agencies, based on performance audits conducted by the Australian National Audit Office.

Lucy Wicks MP, chair of the committee, said although the field managed by each regulator was unique, there were practices and procedures that every regulator should follow to be effective.

"This report makes seven recommendations aimed at improving the performance and internal governance of the regulators involved in this inquiry," Ms Wicks said. "However, it also contains observations which we hope will be useful to every regulator."

The report is available on the committee’s website.

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THE House Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention will hold its final public hearing via videoconference on Friday, August 27, 2021, with a focus on the mental health concerns and systems that impact women.

From September 6-10 2021 is Women’s Health Week, a nation-wide campaign of events and online activities dedicated to all women across Australia to make good health a priority.

Chair, Fiona Martin MP, said, "The committee commends the work of Jean Hailes in continuing Women’s Health Week. When we support women in accessing mental health care, as and when they need it, we improve women's overall health, boost women’s participation in the workforce, and support Australian families.

"Women experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders at higher rates than men. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in self-harm, particularly by young women. It is important that the committee hears from organisations that support women’s voices," Dr Martin said.

"Prevention and early intervention activities need to be tailored to at-risk demographics, with a whole-of-lifespan approach, starting at birth with perinatal care for mothers and babies, right through to menopause and beyond."

In its final public hearing, Jean Hailes of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia), women from the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre, Women’s Mental Health Alliance, Women’s Health Victoria, and the Women’s Mental Health Service will contribute to the committee’s evidence base. This will ensure a comprehensive understanding of the factors impacting women’s access to mental health and suicide prevention services.

The final report of the committee is due to be presented by November 1, 2021.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday 27 August 2021

Time: 2pm to 5pm AEST

The public hearing program will be available on the committee website. Due to the public hearings being held by videoconference, public access will be available via the live broadcast at aph.gov.au/live.

The Committee is unable to intervene or provide advice in relation to individual circumstances. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact one of the services below:

Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
BeyondBlue 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467
eheadspace 1800 650 890
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800

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