Vaccine Rollout Ramping Up
- Over 18.3 million doses have been administered.
- Vaccinations are increasing with over 1.9 million Australians vaccinated every 7 days.
- Australia is now vaccinating people at a higher rate than the US and UK ever achieved.
- More than 86% of those aged over 70 are protected with a first dose.
- Over 77% of all Australians aged over 50 are protected with a first dose.
- More than 56% of all Australians aged over 16are protected with a first dose.
Afghanistan Evacuation Effort
The Prime Minister has thanked Australia's defence force and officials for their extraordinary efforts over the last nine days, having successfully evacuated some 4,100 people from Afghanistan amid the escalating violence. So far, 783 have already landed in Australia, either returning home or arriving in their new home here in Australia. The Prime Minister also condemned the evil and calculated attacks on those waiting at the airport in Kabul in recent days. Australia joins with our American and Afghan friends in mourning their terrible and awful loss.
Supporting More Small Businesses on the Road to Recovery
The Morrison Government is providing additional support to small and medium sized businesses dealing with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The Government is expanding eligibility for the SME Recovery Loan Scheme by removing requirements for SMEs to have received JobKeeper during the March 2021 quarter or be a flood affected business. The scheme allows eligible businesses to access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years. By guaranteeing 80 of the loan amount and with repayment holidays of up to 24 months, the Government is providing a much needed lifeline to support Australian businesses ready for our economic recovery. Read more here.
Delivering a Purpose-Built Quarantine Facility in WA
Western Australia’s Centre for National Resilience is one step closer, with construction company Multiplex selected to deliver the project. The centre will be constructed and owned by the Commonwealth, on land within the Bullsbrook Training Area in the northern outskirts of Perth. The facility will be managed by the Western Australian Government for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first 500 beds expected to be operational early next year. This new facility will increase our capacity to repatriate Australians and be available in the years to come for other important uses, such as supporting responses to natural disasters. Read more here.
Expanding Vaccine Access for Youth
Australia’s 1.2 million children aged between 12 and 15 years will now be able to book a COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine from September 13. Bookings will be available through GPs, Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. Each state and territory will shortly advise when state vaccination clinics will open to this group. Children aged 12-15 most at risk of severe illness have been eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine since late July. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is also currently considering the use of the Moderna vaccine in 12-17 year olds as a priority, with a decision expected soon. Find out more here.
New Treatment in our Fight Against Covid-19
Australians at highest risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19 now have access to a potentially life saving antibody treatment, following provisional approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). A single dose of Sotrovimab has been shown to reduce hospitalisation or death by up to 79 per cent in adults who have underlying health conditions and who have mild to moderate COVID-19. Earlier this month, the Government secured an initial allocation of over 7,700 doses, with the first of these now being distributed to where they are needed most. While vaccination remains our most important weapon against the virus, sotrovimab will provide another tool in our ongoing fight against COVID-19. Read more here.
Combating Organised Crime on the Dark Web
The Morrison Government has passed important legislation boosting the capacity of our law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt serious criminal activity occurring online. The Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 introduces three new powers for the Australian Federal Police and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to modify and delete data to frustrate activities, collect intelligence on criminal networks, and take control of alleged offenders’ online accounts. These changes give the AFP more tools to pursue organised crime gangs to keep drugs off our street and our community safe. Read more here.