The new COVIDsafe app to help keep you, your family and your community safe from further spread of coronavirus through early notification of possible exposure is now available to download.

The COVIDSafe app is just one of the tools used to help protect the health of the community by quickly alerting people who may be at risk of having contact with the virus.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the use of the app would help to move more quickly to reduce restrictions than would otherwise be possible.

“Without the assistance of technology, finding people who may have been exposed to the virus relies on people being able to recall who they have been around and knowing the details of every individual they have been in close contact with,” Mr Vasta said.

“In many cases, we don’t know the names and contact details of those we’ve been in close contact with – for example, at the supermarket or on the train.

“The COVIDSafe app uses technology to make this process faster and more accurate and has been developed to ensure your information and privacy is strictly protected.”

Collection and use of information from the app is consent based and consistent with the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles.

To further strengthen the app’s privacy arrangements the Health Minister made a Determination under the Biosecurity Act to protect people’s privacy and restrict access to app data to state and territory health authorities for contact tracing.

Under that Determination, it will be a criminal offence to use any app data in any other way. It will also be a criminal offence for someone to be refused to enter a premises, participate in an event or receive a service for failing to use the app.

At the end of the Australian pandemic, users will be prompted to delete the app from their phone.

This will delete all app information on a person’s phone. The information contained on the highly secure information storage system will also be destroyed at the end of the pandemic.

While COVIDSafe app use is voluntary, all Australians are encouraged to download COVIDSafe app to help ensure we can effectively protect Australians and ensure we can quickly respond to any new cases of COVID-19.

For more information on the COVIDSafe app, please visit: https://www.covidsafe.gov.au/help-topics.html

To download the COVIDSafe app for your iPhone please visit: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/covidsafe/id1509242894

To download the COVIDSafe app for your android device please visit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.health.covidsafe

Australians can honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans and serving Defence personnel on ANZAC Day from home this year by watching the nationally broadcast Dawn Service from the Australian War Memorial and participating in the RSL’s #lightupthedawn campaign.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while ANZAC Day would be different this year, with no community commemorative services or marches, we would do all we can to honour and commemorate the sacrifice of our Anzacs and thank all those who have served and continue to serve Australia in our defence forces.

“ANZAC Day is a sacred day for all Australians,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is an important time to remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, those who have laid down their lives or suffered great hardship to protect Australians’ way of life.

“This year, we will not be gathering at the local cenotaph, or attending gunfire breakfasts at the local RSL, or gathering together to bow our heads in silence and listen to the bugles at dawn.

“But we will still remember the sacrifice of those who gave so much for us at Gallipoli and on many fronts, as we ourselves give what we can to protect Australian lives while we face this terrible virus.”

This year, a Dawn Service will be broadcast across Australia from the Australian War Memorial.

The Australian Wall Memorial is the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the Roll of Honour which contains the names of the 102,000 servicemen and women who have given their lives for Australia.

In keeping with the national commitment to social distancing, this will be a service without crowds.

The Prime Minister will deliver the commemorative address at the Australian War Memorial’s Dawn Service alongside dignitaries representing Australia, New Zealand, the Returned and Services League, and veterans.

There will be a ceremonial piper, didgeridoo player and bugler among other traditional elements, supplied by the Australian Defence Force.

RSL State and Territory branches are also urging Australians to show their Anzac spirit at home by safely participating in a private dawn service at their own home.

The RSL’s #lightupthedawn campaign year asks Australians to stand in their driveway, balcony or living room, with a torch or candle, immediately following in the televised dawn service, to remember all those who have served and sacrificed.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said Australians were at their best when they come together to support one another and while we couldn’t physically gather to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our Defence personnel, we could show them our respect.

“Whether it’s a solitary driveway tribute, baking Anzac biscuits, a small ceremony with your household, sharing a message for our service personnel, or watching the televised service from the Australian War Memorial on the morning of 25 April, I encourage everyone to pause, reflect and say a simple ‘thank you for your service’,” Mr Chester said.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said his office had some Australian hand waving flags to help share in the ANZAC spirit.

“If you’re taking part in #lightupthedawn, contact my office for some hand waving flags to share in the ANZAC spirit with your neighbours,” Mr Vasta said.

“While we can’t join together to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our fallen soldiers, we can unite in our homes, knowing our neighbours and community are doing the same to remember them.”

The coverage of the commemorative service will take place at the Australian War Memorial on Anzac Day, 25 April 2020, with the ABC starting pre-service coverage from 5am AEST, with the service broadcast live from the Commemorative Area and Hall of Memory from 5.30am AEST.The event will not be open to the public but will be broadcast live across Australia and streamed online.

The ABC will make the broadcast available to other networks under a host broadcaster arrangement to enable people to mark Anzac Day safely and respectfully from home.

For more information and to obtain a flag, call Mr Vasta’s office on 3893 3488.

As COVID-19 has changed the way we work, train and study, the Morrison Government is working to deliver more training online.

The Government has today launched the improved and repurposed My Skills website which will now focus on online training for Australians looking to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The My Skills website has been tailored to offer more ways for Australians to improve their qualifications online.

Australians will now be able to search the increased online offerings of registered training organisations (RTOs) and vocational education and training (VET) options currently available to continue to train for the future.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said improving online learning through My Skills would provide an excellent opportunity for people in his electorate to study a whole range of course offerings from a wide range of training institutions from around the country.

“We’ve even opened the pathway for people to potentially learn from an institution or course that may not have been available to them before” Mr Vasta said.

“A VET qualification opens the door to so many job opportunities, and nationally recognised qualifications can be gained in a matter of months.”

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the Morrison Government was focused on giving Australians more training and career opportunities during these challenging times.

“As more Australians stay at home, we want them to be able to make the most of this time by upskilling and preparing themselves for future opportunities,” Minister Cash said.

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, The Hon Steve Irons MP said RTOs had been working with the Government to offer more online courses for Australians.

“The increased delivery of online learning would improve flexibility, whilst providing another avenue for Australians to update their skills, or to re-train,” Assistant Minister Irons said.

My Skills is the national directory of VET organisations and courses — an Australian Government initiative to help consumers search and compare VET courses and training providers.

The launch of the improved and repurposed My Skills website complements the Morrison Government’s existing programmes to support Australian workers with the Skills Match Tool prominently featured on the website.

The Skills Match Tool provides intuitive career guidance for Australians looking to choose or change careers based on the user’s previous work experience and qualifications.

This includes providing information on a career’s likely income, whether the industry is in growth and what future pathways are available.

For more information visit www.myskills.gov.au

Vulnerable Australians are being urged to get free vaccinations against seasonal influenza under the National Immunisation Plan which now includes children aged between six months and five years.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vast MP said although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, the impact of influenza could have a fatal result for those most at risk.

“If left unprotected, the flu can take between 100 and1000 lives per year,” Mr Vasta said.

“With over 13,000 vulnerable aged pensioners in Bonner, it is important no one misses out on this vital vaccination.

“From May 1, 2020 all aged care workers and visitors must be vaccinated against seasonal influenza to enter an aged care facility and everyone aged six months and over should continue to be vaccinated against influenza this year, and every year, to protect themselves and others in the community.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP said the Morrison Government had taken extra measures to ensure Australians most at risk of contracting influenza were a priority.

“The Australian Government has invested more than $80 million to provide more free vaccines under the National Immunisation Program in 2020 than ever before,” Minister Hunt said.

“In total over 13.5 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been secured for the National Immunisation Program and the private market in 2020.

“This includes over 4 million doses of Fluad Quad® for those aged 65 years and older which is enough to vaccinate close to 100 per cent of the cohort.”

Vaccinating against the flu will reduce the risk of a very dangerous double-up of flu and coronavirus—both diseases affecting the respiratory system.

“The actions we take to slow the spread of COVID-19 can also stop the spread of influenza and other viruses,” Minister Hunt said.

“Every one of us has a responsibility to contribute to this effort by practising good hygiene, social distancing, understanding how and when to self-isolate and following the Government’s directions on public gatherings and workplaces.”

The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccines to those most at risk, including

• Pregnant women
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People aged six months and older
• People aged 65 years and older
• People aged six months and older with certain medical risk factors and;
• All children aged between six months and five years.

More information on the flu is available at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-services/flu-influenza-immunisation-service

For more information on COVID-19 and the Government’s response at www.health.gov.au

The Morrison Government will provide an historic wage subsidy to around 6 million workers who will receive a flat payment of $1,500 per fortnight through their employer, before tax.

The $130 billion JobKeeper payment will help keep Australians in jobs and tackle the significant economic impact from the coronavirus, including in the electorate of Bonner.

The payment will be open to eligible businesses that have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus.

The payment will provide the equivalent of around 70 per cent of the national median wage.

For workers in the accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors it will equate to a full median replacement wage.

The payment will ensure eligible employers and employees stay connected while some businesses move into hibernation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the JobKeeper payment would bring the Government’s total economic support for the economy to $320 billion or 16.4 per cent of GDP.

“We will give millions of eligible businesses and their workers a lifeline to not only get through this crisis, but bounce back together on the other side,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is about keeping the connection between the employer and the employee and keeping people in their jobs even though the business they work for may go into hibernation and close down for six months.

“When the economy comes back, these businesses will be able to start again and their workforce will be ready to go because they will remain attached to the business through our JobKeeper payment.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the country was about to go through one of the toughest times in its history.

“Businesses will close and people will lose their jobs. That is why we have temporarily doubled the welfare safety net,” the Treasurer said.

“However, we are going even further. Australians know that their government has their back.

“That is why we are delivering an historic $130 billion JobKeeper payment to support businesses and to help keep Australians in a job.

“This will keep Australian workers connected with their employer and provide hope and more certainty during these difficult and challenging times.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the $1,500 a fortnight JobKeeper payment would provide job security at a time when it’s needed most across the region.

“This payment will give working Australians their best chance of keeping their job and keeping them connected to their employers so that they can bounce back in the recovery phase,” Mr Vasta said.

JobKeeper Payment

The JobKeeper Payment is a subsidy to businesses, which will keep more Australians in jobs through the course of the coronavirus outbreak.

The payment will be paid to employers, for up to six months, for each eligible employee that was on their books on 1 March 2020 and is retained or continues to be engaged by that employer.

Where a business has stood down employees since 1 March, the payment will help them maintain connection with their employees.

Employers will receive a payment of $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee. Every eligible employee must receive at least $1,500 per fortnight from this business, before tax.

The program will commence 30 March 2020, with the first payments to be received by eligible businesses in the first week of May as monthly arrears from the Australian Taxation Office. Eligible businesses can begin distributing the JobKeeper payment immediately and will be reimbursed from the first week of May.

The Government will provide updates on further business cashflow support in coming days.

Eligible employers will be those with annual turnover of less than $1 billion who self-assess that have a reduction in revenue of 30 per cent or more, since 1 March 2020 over a minimum one-month period.

Employers with an annual turnover of $1 billion or more would be required to demonstrate a reduction in revenue of 50 per cent or more to be eligible. Businesses subject to the Major Bank Levy will not be eligible.

Eligible employers include businesses structured through companies, partnerships, trusts and sole traders. Not for profit entities, including charities, will also be eligible.

Full time and part time employees, including stood down employees, would be eligible to receive the JobKeeper Payment.  Where a casual employee has been with their employer for at least the previous 12 months they will also be eligible for the Payment.  An employee will only be eligible to receive this payment from one employer.

Eligible employees include Australian residents, New Zealand citizens in Australia who hold a subclass 444 special category visa, and migrants who are eligible for JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance (Other).

Self-employed individuals are also eligible to receive the JobKeeper Payment.

Eligible businesses can apply for the payment online and are able to register their interest via ato.gov.au

Income support partner pay income test

Over the next six months the Government is temporarily expanding access to income support payments and establishing a Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight.

JobSeeker Payment is subject to a partner income test, and the Government is temporarily relaxing the partner income test to ensure that an eligible person can receive the JobSeeker Payment, and associated Coronavirus Supplement, providing their partner earns less than $3,068 per fortnight, around $79,762 per annum.

The personal income test for individuals on JobSeeker Payment will still apply.

Every arm of government and industry is working to keep Australians in jobs and businesses in business, and to build a bridge to recovery on the other side.

The Government will continue to do what it takes to ensure that Australia bounces back stronger.