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Mark Butler announces ‘life-changing’ listings of medicines on PBS
A range of medications for graft versus host disease, chronic rhinosinusitis and oesophageal cancer will be more widely available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
On Monday, health minister Mark Butler announced that medications Jakavi (ruxolitinib), Nucala (mepolizumab) and Opdivo (nivolumab) will be available to more Australians, especially those who have not responded to other treatments.
Butler said “the listings of these medicines on the PBS will be life-changing for patients across Australia”.
He said:
Time is of the essence for patients living with GVHD and their caregivers, who have had no other, or limited, treatment options until now.
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps can be debilitating, causing pain, impacting people sleeping, their mental health and productivity.
Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars on treatments the government has listed these medicines on the PBS so patients will only pay a maximum of $30 per course of treatment.
Key events
The Parrtjima festival is taking place in Alice Springs. It’s an annual light and sound festival that celebrates Aboriginal art, culture and music over 10 nights with the ancient MacDonnell Ranges forming a natural canvas for the projections.
If you haven’t managed to get away this long weekend, let these pictures take you there.
Check out more pictures from the festival here:
Josh Butler
The voice campaign: of advice and athletes
Let’s go to two major Indigenous voice stories which spread across the weekend: the solicitor-general’s advice and the various sporting stars joining the yes campaign.
As we brought you earlier, and Paul tweeted, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, did not say that the solicitor-general’s advice on the wording of the constitutional change would be released. If we go to the actual transcript of what he told Sky News (and not just, you know, an interpretation of what others think he said), the PM said:
The solicitor general’s views are very clear of support for this change, that it’s legally sound. And through the process, he will, I’m sure, take the opportunity through the attorney general to make that position clear.
That came directly after Albanese, in a direct serve to voice critic Barnaby Joyce, said “while he [Joyce] served, they didn’t release his cabinet advice to the cabinet.”
We understand the government still has no plans to release the solicitor general’s advice on the amendment, and in any case, Albanese never said they would. It’s unclear what the PM meant by “take the opportunity through the attorney general to make that clear” means – but there is a six-week parliamentary committee ongoing as to the constitutional change, with the first hearing on Friday, so there may be some info forthcoming through that process.
In any case, that legal advice was provided weeks ago, about the second form of proposed words in the referendum. Since then, a new form of words has been proposed as the final question – so the advice would be somewhat out of date, pertaining to a previous proposal, and not the one that the Australian people will vote on later this year.
To the sporting stars – it’s been reported that Albanese himself has been lobbying athletes to get behind the yes campaign and that he has spoken on several occasions about direct conversations he has had with sports stars about the referendum. That’s been known for a while.
Guardian Australia understands major codes like the NRL and AFL are working on plans, but representatives have repeatedly shrugged off calls for comment in recent months. That may be because plans are still being worked out, or because plans will be unveiled in major “setpiece” announcements.
We should note that the NRL has a special Indigenous round in May, and the AFL’s famous “Dreamtime At The G” game is in the same month.
Government sources said there would likely be multi-code events and campaign announcements in the coming months as the campaign revs up. Watch this space.
Tasmanian doctor critically wounded, youth in custody
More news on the medical professional critically wounded at a regional Tasmanian hospital, who has been confirmed to be a doctor. AAP reports:
Tasmanian doctors have called for emergency department safety protocols to be reviewed after one of their colleagues was stabbed in a regional hospital.
John Saul, the president of the Australian Medical Association Tasmania, confirmed that a doctor had been stabbed at North West Regional Hospital in Cooee on the state’s north-west coast last night.
In a statement today, Saul said emergency department staff are well aware of the possibility of experiencing violence while at work, but it was still shocking when it happens.
While we do not know the details surrounding this event, we know hospitals are dealing with people who are experiencing trauma, mental health episodes or drug psychosis and may react in unpredictable ways.
But he called on the Tasmanian Health Service to urgently review safety protocols and measures to look for ways to improve safety for patients and staff in emergency departments.
The victim was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.
Police said a youth was arrested soon after the isolated incident, with no threat to the wider community.
It is unclear whether the youth has yet been charged.
Liberals join Labor in condemning escalating violence in Israel
The shadow minister for foreign affairs, Simon Birmingham, has followed Penny Wong’s lead condemning the escalation of violence and terror attacks in Israel.
At a holy time for people of so many faiths it has been deeply troubling to see attacks on Israel & violence in some of the most holy of places.
Such attacks are rightly condemned. Attacks & violence should cease while all should show restraint & demonstrate respect.
— Simon Birmingham (@Birmo) April 10, 2023
The foreign affairs department three days ago issued an alert to Australian tourists in Israel, Palestinian territories and Lebanon to exercise a high degree of caution amid escalating religious and political tensions.
The warning, still current, advises travellers:
Tensions in the region and in the West Bank are high and can escalate with little warning, especially around major religious or commemorative days. There has been rocket and mortar fire from Gaza and Southern Lebanon into Israel; more may follow.
Australia concerned about US leaks
Daniel Hurst
The Australian government has said it is concerned about the potential leak of classified US documents and is seeking further information.
The US is investigating the source of a large cache of what appear to be classified Pentagon documents circulating on social media channels, which have included material about the Russian war on Ukraine, and also sensitive information about South Korea and Israel.
An Australian government spokesperson said in a statement issued today:
The Australian government is concerned about the disclosure of US classified information.
We are pleased the US Department of Justice has acted quickly in announcing an investigation.
The Australian government is seeking further information on this matter and is unable to provide further comment at this stage.
The Guardian’s latest story about this issue can be found here:
Daniel Hurst
Aukus ‘one of the biggest industrial challenges in our history’
A leader of the Australian higher education sector has described Aukus as “one of the biggest industrial challenges in our history” ahead of talks in the United States.
Catriona Jackson, the chief executive of Universities Australia, is expected to use a series of meetings in Washington DC this week to explore “how Australia’s universities can support the delivery of Aukus”.
Universities Australia said Jackson was due to meet with national security officials from the US Department of State and representatives from the National Science Foundation. The schedule also included meetings with university sector leaders “to discuss research and national security partnerships”.
In a statement, Jackson said:
Aukus is one of the biggest industrial challenges in our history. Universities have a major role to play in developing the capability needed to deliver the project, including through the provision of skilled workers and world-class research and development.
We are focused on up-skilling the current workforce and training the next generation to support Australia’s national security.
We’ve already had close discussions with our government and Aukus partner governments about how universities can help. We’re in Washington this week to turn those ideas into reality.
Jackson said universities had previously called for defence internships to boost the flow of skilled workers needed for projects like Aukus, and were “looking forward to exploring this option further”.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said that the solicitor general’s advice on the constitutional amendment for an Indigenous voice to parliament will be made clear through the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus.
Albanese told Sky News before departing for his Easter holiday:
The Solicitor-General’s views are very clear of support for this change, that it’s legally sound. And through the process, he will, I’m sure, take the opportunity through the Attorney-General to make that position clear.
However, Sky News is reporting – based on that interview – that the solicitor general’s advice regarding the proposed amendment to the constitution for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will be made public.
As my colleauge Paul Karp has pointed out, that is not what the prime minister said but it has not stopped the news channel from asking Nationals leader, David Littleproud, if the supposed release changes his mind.
Littleproud said it didn’t change his mind:
But it is a positive step forward. I think it is important the Prime Minister releases his advice to the working group and to the government around this and the implications of the Constitution and the implications of High Court challenges.
I think the Australian people should have that information in front of them. But our position hasnt changed. We took a position six months ago predicated on us repeating history of another representative body.
One that we live with the consequences every day where the gap isn’t closed, the gap isn’t closed in the remote and rural areas, because we’ve got a bureaucracy that’s predicated out of Canberra.
FACT CHECK: Anthony Albanese (left) DID NOT say the solicitor general’s advice will be released as some are saying (see eg the right).
He said his position would be made “clear” through the AG. Dreyfus has already said SG supports the change.#auspol #auslaw pic.twitter.com/TYb8Tx6xre
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) April 10, 2023
Temperatures drop to 2C in Tasmania
It was a cold Easter Sunday for #Hobart. The maximum temperature of only 13.0 °C was 5 °C below average, making it the eighth-equal coldest Easter Sunday and the coldest since 2006. On the upside, there were fewer reported instances of accidental chocolate bunny melting. pic.twitter.com/8vq3p9wK0G
— Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) April 10, 2023
Mark Butler announces ‘life-changing’ listings of medicines on PBS
A range of medications for graft versus host disease, chronic rhinosinusitis and oesophageal cancer will be more widely available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
On Monday, health minister Mark Butler announced that medications Jakavi (ruxolitinib), Nucala (mepolizumab) and Opdivo (nivolumab) will be available to more Australians, especially those who have not responded to other treatments.
Butler said “the listings of these medicines on the PBS will be life-changing for patients across Australia”.
He said:
Time is of the essence for patients living with GVHD and their caregivers, who have had no other, or limited, treatment options until now.
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps can be debilitating, causing pain, impacting people sleeping, their mental health and productivity.
Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars on treatments the government has listed these medicines on the PBS so patients will only pay a maximum of $30 per course of treatment.
Opera Australia’s clearance sale is returning for the first time in more than five years. The costumes from productions including Carmen, Don Carlos and The Pearl Fishers will be sold for no more than $100.
The sale will take place at The Opera Centre in Sydney’s Surry Hills on April 14 and 15.
Here are some of the handmade garments and period clothes which will be on offer:
Queensland drivers renewing licences may face new test
Drivers renewing their licences might have their road rule knowledge tested as the Queensland government aims to strengthen safety measures across the state, AAP reports.
Transport minister Mark Bailey has met with stakeholders and says the government is considering a range of new measures including a “refresher course” for people renewing their licences, due to changes in road rules between renewals.
He told ABC Radio Brisbane today:
There’s often a lot of changes to road rules between getting a licence, say five years ago, and renewing it.
Similar to courses available for learner and new drivers, Bailey said the measures could replicate their online pool of questions and bring drivers up to speed on changes to road rules.
It’s not designed to be some big onerous test that everyone’s going to have to spend lots of time on.
It’s designed to be a refresher course that people would look to do in an easy online way, that gives you a good review of what’s happened in the last four or five years since you got your licence last time.
The government is floating the idea and seeking feedback from the community.
Paul Karp
Media companies criticise proposed changes to Australian privacy laws
Media companies have rejected a proposal to reform Australian privacy law, warning that the changes – including a right to sue outlets for serious invasions of privacy – are not in the public interest and would harm press freedom.
The Right to Know coalition warns the attorney general’s department’s proposal, released in February, would have “a devastating impact on press freedom and journalism in Australia without any clearly defined need or benefit”.
The coalition includes the Guardian, News Corp, Nine, AAP, Free TV Australia, the media union and public broadcasters the ABC and SBS
Easter in Tenterfield (Think I see bunnies up ahead … )
Larger than life bunnies, chicks and cattle made out of hay bales have popped up in Tenterfield in northern NSW, as part of the Tenterfield Autumn festival.
If you want to show off how your community is celebrating the long weekend in style, tweet me @natasha__may.
LOVE. 🤎💛🧡 Maple, Willow and Ash. Highland cattle hay bales at Arrajay Downs, east of Tenterfield. 🐂🐂🐂 🌾🍁
📷: Arrajay Downs pic.twitter.com/DMBPojNguV
— Kim Honan (@kimhonan) April 9, 2023
Gilmore digs deep as Aussies charge at Bells
Stephanie Gilmore has concocted a pair of high-scoring waves to rescue her Bells Beach campaign and oust long-time rival Lakey Peterson, AAP reports.
The reigning world champion trailed for most of their round-of-16 heat but stole a wave under priority and then doubled down with another nice combination.
Her 5.63 and 5.57-point efforts (11.20 total) were just enough to pip Peterson’s six and five-point waves (11), with the American allowed onto a wave in the final three seconds but unable to produce the score she needed.
Gilmore has never lost before the quarter-final stage at the Victorian break and, ranked 14th, needs a big result to boost herself into the top-10 and above the mid-season cut line.
She will surf against Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb in the final eight, while Australia’s No.1-ranked Molly Picklum also progressed, along with Isabella Nichols and defending champion Tyler Wright.
Sally Fitzgibbons was beaten by Hawaii’s Bettylou Sakura Johnson, while Picklum edged another Australian, Sophie McCulloch.
The women’s quarter-finals and men’s round of 16 are on standby.
Local wildcard Xavier Huxtable emerged as a giant killer on Sunday, shocking Australia’s world No.1 Jack Robinson.
He will face countryman Connor O’Leary in the round of 16.
Jackson Baker and Ryan Callinan will also fly the flag, but multiple world champion Kelly Slater’s elimination left him in grave danger of missing the mid-season cut.
Minor flooding possible at Birdsville later this week
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