The COVID-19 border closure to India: Would an Australian Human Rights Act have made a difference?

In late April 2021, the Commonwealth government determined to prohibit overseas travellers who had been in India from returning to Australia, subjecting them to heavy penalties for breach. This measure was controversial and unprecedented in Australia’s response to COVID-19, drawing sharp criticism for breaching human rights. This article analyses the human rights issues arising under the Health Minister’s determination, and the ensuing Federal Court case of Newman v Minister for Health and Aged Care. Against the backdrop of a renewed push for a national Human Rights Act, it finds that a national Human Rights Act could have made a difference.

The role of Primary Health Networks in cardiovascular disease prevention: A qualitative interview study

Background: Since the inception of Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in Australia, it has been unclear what their role is regarding implementing chronic disease prevention activities in general practice. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the views of PHN staff on the role of PHNs in promoting prevention, with a focus on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention.Methods: Content analysis of PHN Needs Assessments was conducted to inform interview questions. 29 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 PHN staff, between June and December 2020, in varied roles across 18 PHNs in all Australian states and territories. Transcribed audio-recordings were thematically coded, using the Framework Analysis method to ensure rigour.Results: We identified three main themes about the role of PHNs in promoting, supporting, and improving CVD prevention. 1) Informal prevention: All respondents agreed the role of PHNs in prevention was indirect and, for the most part, outside the formal remit of PHN Key Performance Indicators (KPIs.) Nevertheless, prevention activities were conducted in partnership with external stakeholders, professional development and quality improvement programs, and PHN-funded data extraction and analysis software for general practice. 2) Constrained by financial incentives: Most interviewees felt the role of PHNs in prevention was contingent on the financial drivers provided by the Commonwealth government, such as Medicare funding and national quality improvement programs. 3) Shaped through competing priorities: The role of PHNs in prevention is a function of competing priorities. There was strong agreement amongst participants that the myriad competing priorities from government and local needs assessments impeded prevention activities.Conclusions: PHNs are well positioned to foster prevention activities in general practice and local communities. However, we found that PHNs role in prevention activities were informal, constrained by financial incentives, and shaped through competing priorities. Prevention can be improved through a more explicit prevention focus at Commonwealth government level. To optimise the role of PHNs therefore requires prioritising prevention, aligning it with KPIs, and supporting stakeholders like general practice.

Discover - Communicate - Collaborate

EdNA Online is a unique national collaboration between the Australian Commonwealth government Department of Education, Training and Science and the state Education Departments. This collaboration unites learning communities as it provides free resources and online services to all education sectors, including tertiary, schools, vocational training and adult education. There is access to evaluated curriculum resources in a safe environment. The use of standards to enable sharing between states, territories and national education departments has extended knowledge networks. Free communication tools link teacher librarians, teachers and students and assist engagement in professional development.

‘Australia as the Coming Greatest Foster-Father of Children the World Has Ever Known’: The Post-war Resumption of Child Migration to Australia, 1945–1947

This chapter examines the policy context and administrative systems associated with the resumption of assisted child migration from the United Kingdom to Australia in 1947. During the Second World War, the Australian Commonwealth Government came to see child migration as an increasingly important element in its wider plans for post-war population growth. Whilst initially developing a plan to receive up to 50,000 ‘war orphans’ shortly after the war in new government-run cottage homes, the Commonwealth Government subsequently abandoned this, partly for financial reasons. A more cost-effective strategy of working with voluntary societies, and their residential institutions, was adopted instead. Monitoring systems of these initial migration parties by the UK Government were weak. Whilst the Home Office began to formulate policies about appropriate standards of care for child migrants overseas, this work was hampered by tensions between the Home Office and the Commonwealth Relations Office about the extent to control over organisations in Australia was possible.

Towards a National Broadband Strategy for Australia, 2020-2030

This Report has been developed by the TelSoc National Broadband Network (NBN) Futures Group, drawing on substantial work since early 2019 to examine the current state and desirable future of broadband services in Australia. The purpose of the Group and this Report is to ensure Australia’s broadband infrastructure and services continues to develop in a financially responsible and timely manner, delivering value, economic benefit and new services to all Australian residents in all locations and in all economic circumstances. Broadband infrastructure, including the NBN in particular, represents National Critical Infrastructure providing essential services important for the development of a digital economy and online society. All Australians should benefit to the maximum extent in realising the social and economic potential of broadband. Large, long-term investments and programs that address the demand side, as well as the supply side, of broadband require a clear long-term vision and plan (the National Broadband Strategy), supported by a robust bipartisan commitment that endures beyond electoral cycles. The Report is not such a Strategy but is a major contribution towards it. It is addressed to all stakeholders, especially to the Commonwealth Government which has leadership responsibility, and to industry organisations whose involvement is important for success.

Australian private practice metropolitan telepsychiatry during the COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of Quarter-2, 2020 usage of new MBS-telehealth item psychiatrist services

Objective: The Australian Commonwealth Government introduced new psychiatrist Medicare-Benefits-Schedule (MBS)-telehealth items in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to assist with previously office-based psychiatric practice. We investigate private psychiatrists’ uptake of (1) video- and telephone-telehealth consultations for Quarter-2 (April–June) of 2020 and (2) total telehealth and face-to-face consultations in Quarter-2, 2020 in comparison to Quarter-2, 2019 for Australia. Methods: MBS item service data were extracted for COVID-19-psychiatrist-video- and telephone-telehealth item numbers and compared with a baseline of the Quarter-2, 2019 (April–June 2019) of face-to-face consultations for the whole of Australia. Results: Combined telehealth and face-to-face psychiatry consultations rose during the first wave of the pandemic in Quarter-2, 2020 by 14% compared to Quarter-2, 2019 and telehealth was approximately half of this total. Face-to-face consultations in 2020 comprised only 56% of the comparative Quarter-2, 2019 consultations. Most telehealth provision was by telephone for short consultations of ⩽15–30 min. Video consultations comprised 38% of the total telehealth provision (for new patient assessments and longer consultations). Conclusions: There has been a flexible, rapid response to patient demand by private psychiatrists using the new COVID-19-MBS-telehealth items for Quarter-2, 2020, and in the context of decreased face-to-face consultations, ongoing telehealth is essential.

Private practice metropolitan telepsychiatry in larger Australian states during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the first 2 months of new MBS telehealth item psychiatrist services

Objective: Private practice psychiatry in Australia was largely office-based until the Commonwealth Government introduced new psychiatrist Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth items in response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate the uptake of (1) video and telephone telehealth consultations in April–May 2020, and (2) the overall changing rates of consultation, i.e. total telehealth and in-person consultations across the larger states of Australia. Method: MBS item service data were extracted for COVID-19 psychiatrist video- and telephone-telehealth item numbers and compared with a baseline of the 2018−2019-financial-year monthly average of in-person consultations for New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia. Results: Total psychiatry consultations (telehealth and in-person) rose during the first wave of the pandemic by 10%−20% compared to the previous year. The majority of private practice was conducted by telehealth in April but was lower in May as new COVID-19 case rates fell. Most telehealth provision was by telephone for short consultations of ⩽15−30 min. Video consultations increased from April into May. Conclusions: For large states, there has been a rapid adoption of the MBS telehealth psychiatrist items, followed by a trend back to face-to-face as COVID-19 new case rates reduced. There was an overall increased consultation rate (in-person plus telehealth) for April−May 2020.

Australia’s Modern Slavery Act: Challenges for a post-COVID world?

When the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) struck in early 2020, the Commonwealth government eased reporting deadlines and extended the date for firms required to submit modern slavery statements under Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). The economic recession caused by COVID-19 has produced the necessary conditions for further exploitation and enslavement of vulnerable individuals. This article asserts that, even without COVID-19, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) in its current form will do little to address forms of modern slavery such as sexual exploitation, forced marriage, trafficking and domestic servitude. This is because the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) primarily targets labour exploitation and requires suppliers to voluntarily disclose their involvement with modern slavery.

What are the perceptions of Indigenous organisation staff on the utility of the nKPIs?

Background This presentation will outline the results of five Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) case studies which sought to understand the impact of national key performance indicators (nKPIs) at the local level. The nKPI framework attempts to collect data to assist the Commonwealth Government to monitor the Closing the Gap Framework and to aid local ACCHOs to monitor and review their service delivery. Understanding how the nKPIs have been implemented and their impact across the various sites is essential to understanding their usefulness. Methods A multi-case study approach with a variety of ACCHOs was used. Site recruitment was conducted using a purposive sampling framework with an expression of interest, and/or a direct approach. At each site, several semi-structured interviews were conducted, documents were reviewed, and observations made. Data analysis was conducted using the computer program NVivo. Results Case studies (n = 5) were conducted at the five sites between in 2017. Data collection included semi-structured interviews ACCHO staff (n = 24), nKPI site-specific documents (n = 12) and observational. A number of key themes emerged from case studies relating to: • Workforce The usefulness of the nKPIsSelf-determinationWay ForwardACCHO Governance Conclusions Across the case studies, it is clear there are a variety perception about the utility of the nKPIs and the barriers/enablers which impact their capacity to report, collect and utilise the nKPIs. All Case Study sites saw the value of data to measure their success and to identify emerging issues among their clients. Their attitudes to the nKPIs varied though, due to issues relating to the design and implementation. The stability and size of the service also influenced their ability to use the data. More work needs to be done by the Commonwealth Government in collaboration with ACCHOs to improve the usability and utility of the nKPIs. Key messages Indigenous people need to be involved in the design and implmnetation of monitoring sytems. The nKPIs only report on a small subset of services delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

What are the perceptions of stakeholders on the utility of the nKPIs for Indigenous services?

Background The Australian Commonwealth Government has introduced national key Performance Indicators, (nKPIs), for Indigenous primary health care services, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). The nKPIs aim to assist in the monitoring of Indigenous people's health and aid ACCHOs to monitor their service delivery. The nKPI development and its ongoing implementation have involved stakeholders including the Council of Australian Governments; national and jurisdictional ACCHO peak bodies; government departments; software developers, and researchers. While high-level information is available about the nKPIs, there is very little publicly available information about how they were developed and implemented. This presentation discusses perspectives from stakeholders on the development and implementation of the nKPIs. Methods Stakeholder interviews (n = 15) aimed to understand the utility and appropriateness of the nKPIs and barriers/enablers to implementation. Stakeholders with knowledge of the development, management or reporting of the nKPIs were recruited. The analysis was conducted inductively and deductively and organised using NVivo. Results The interviews focused on the history of the nKPIs and the context within which these are collected and managed. Several key themes and sub-themes arose from the stakeholder interviews. These themes included the nKPI purpose, development, implementation, and appropriateness. Several interviewees considered the nKPI development process to be flawed, leading to poor data quality and an increased burden on ACCHOs. Conclusions The ACCHO sectors' needs and perspectives were mostly ignored in the development process. Numerous research papers and government documents highlight the need for active engagement of Indigenous people to be actively engaged in the design of policies, programs, and frameworks seeking to improve the health of Indigenous people. Key messages The nKPI implmentation issues could have been avoided had they been developed in partnership with Indigenous organisations. Indigenous policy development needs to be developed in partnership with Indigenous people.