NewsMatch Alert: Press Release Summary | 10 October 2024
Medianet - Media Intelligence Made Smarter
Medianet | Australia’s fully integrated media intelligence solution for PR and Communications professionals.
Welcome to Medianet’s daily media alert featuring a curated list of today's most newsworthy press releases handpicked by our editorial team.
Today's highlights
Committee examines measures to better protect and support victim-survivors of family violence
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold a public hearing on Friday, 11 October 2024 to further inform its inquiry into family violence orders (FVOs). Chair of the Committee, Ms Susan Templeman MP - Federal Member for Macquarie , said “The Committee will seek evidence from the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Social Services about current measures and opportunities to better protect and support victim-survivors of family violence as they navigate the family law system.”
Australian Aluminium Council renews call for inclusion of Bauxite, Alumina, and Aluminium on Critical Minerals listing
The Australian Aluminium Council has renewed its call for the inclusion of bauxite, alumina and aluminium to Australia’s Critical Minerals list, as a new report highlights growing risks to the sector. The report “Vulnerabilities & Opportunities in Australia’s Upstream Aluminium Sectors” highlights the increasing risks to Australia’s domestic upstream supply chain due to increased geopolitical risk combined with rising costs and prolonged regulatory approvals.
Report unveils hidden cost of Alzheimer’s disease, cases to double by 2050
A new report unveiled in Parliament House highlights the significant health, societal and economic burden of Alzheimer’s disease – revealing a stark and concerning future for Australia’s health and aged care systems if urgent change is not prioritised.?The ‘Diagnosis to Dignity – A Vision for Alzheimer’s Disease in Australia’ report by Evohealth, developed in collaboration with medical experts and advocates, warns that the incidence and impact of Alzheimer’s disease in Australia is set to double over 25 years.
Booming care economy now employs 15% of working Australians: New research
The rapidly growing care economy now employs 15% of working Australians and its recent growth has lowered measures of the nation’s productivity, new research by the e61 Institute has found.?With the NDIS and population ageing increasing demand for care, the sector has grown dramatically since 2010 when it took up 10% of the workforce.
Bondi Junction response must include increased funding and support for severe mental illness: New poll
The Federal Government should increase support for people with severe and complex mental illness to reduce the risk of a repeat of the attack that killed six people in a Bondi Junction shopping centre, according to a poll released six months following the tragic event. Commissioned by Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA), Psychosis Australia and Boehringer Ingelheim, the poll found that 84% of respondents backed “increased funding and services to support people living with severe mental illness to reduce the risk of similar events happening again”.
Australians need more support for mental health care: RACGP
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging the Federal Government to provide more support for Australians needing mental health care, on World Mental Health Day.?The theme for this year’s World Health Organisation (WHO) World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health at Work".?RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins MBBS FRACGP GAICD said: “GPs are on the frontline of Australia’s mental health crisis, carrying out more mental health consults each year than any other speciality or clinician."
Urgent expansion of services needed for people with psychosocial disabilities at risk of homelessness
A shocking number of Australians with psychosocial disabilities are struggling with unmet housing and support needs, prompting calls for an urgent expansion of services. People with psychosocial disability, cognitive impairments and complex behaviours are among the fastest-growing groups of users of homelessness services. “These individuals are disproportionately facing housing challenges, and are among the most vulnerable people in the community,” CEO of Homelessness Australia Kate Colvin said.
Youth workforce participation hindered by mental health crisis in spotlight this Mental Health Month
As the mental health crisis among young Australians intensifies, many are struggling to enter and remain in the workforce. As part of World Mental Health Day (10 October), and Mental Health Month, employment services provider atWork Australia is highlighting the growing mental health crisis affecting young Australians and its impact on their ability to find and maintain meaningful, quality employment.
National Children’s Commissioner joins groups calling for legislation to measure and end child poverty in Australia
As the nation experiences our worst cost of living and housing crisis an increasing number of children are living in poverty. Researchers have predicted that Australia’s child poverty rate could surpass the current rate of 17%, or 1 in 6 children, but the true nature isn’t known because Australia doesn’t define, measure or report child poverty rates. ?Leading welfare organisations are today meeting at Parliament House, Canberra to call on politicians to legislate an end to child poverty, by committing to a definition, measure and reporting framework to Parliament
Palliative care centre stage at aged care parliamentary hearing
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is urging the Australian Parliament to pass the much-anticipated Aged Care Bill as a central component of Australia’s ongoing aged care reforms. “It’s time we finalise this important step in Australia’s health and aged care reform agenda. Getting it done will be one of my key messages when I address the Senate Standing Committee for Community Affairs in Brisbane later this week,” says Camilla Rowland , Chief Executive Officer, PCA.?
Australia’s cost-of-living blind spot
Aussies are ignoring optometrist prescriptions at a concerning rate with a recent study suggesting that 18 per cent of people are not proceeding with an optical prescription or following through with treatment because of cost. The findings may also suggest that some Australians may be unaware of what is covered under Medicare with 21 per cent saying they skip eye tests because of costs despite the reality that regular eye tests are fully covered for card holders.
Member vote on CFMEU split gets closer
A demerger application was lodged today with the Fair Work Commission by CFMEU Manufacturing Division National Secretary Mr. Michael O’Connor . The application seeks the holding of a secret ballot of Manufacturing Division members to decide whether the Division leaves the CFMEU and becomes a new standalone union. If members vote to leave, the Manufacturing Division will be called the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU) and no longer be affiliated with the CFMEU.
Sprinting for our lives: scientists issue fresh calls to slash climate pollution
The Climate Council
The Climate Council calls on Australia to heed the latest science out today, which reinforces the urgent need to cut climate pollution faster and deeper this decade.?In a new study published in the journal Nature, scientists warn that overshooting 1.5°C of warming will lead to changes that cannot be reversed for decades or longer, and that the world needs to see the race to cut climate pollution as an all-out sprint.
Methane menaces revealed: coal and gas
It’s official: The biggest methane polluters in the country are the coal and gas industries. The open methane tool was released (yesterday) and revealed that all 20 of Australia’s methane hotspots are coal and gas mines, exploding the myth that farming is the biggest cause of methane.?Farmers for Climate Action CEO Natalie Collard said the powerful coal and gas lobbies had falsely claimed farmers were a key cause of the methane problem for years.
First Nations statement on ‘Nature Positive’
First Nations people from across the continent have gathered on Gadigal Land/Sydney this week for the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit hosted by the Albanese government.?Attached is a joint statement, co-written by First Nations advisers at ACF and WWF-Australia and signed by more than 40 groups and individuals, which calls on government and business representatives to engage Indigenous peoples on all ‘nature positive’ decision-making processes and outcomes.
Learn Today, Change Tomorrow: The role of education in breaking the cycle of disadvantage
International Day of the Girl, celebrated Friday 11 October, focuses on empowering girls around the world. Currently, around 63,000 Australian students benefit from The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, made possible through partnerships with organisations like HCF and individual sponsors. HCF recently committed to a three-year partnership with The Smith Family, supporting 1,500 students—equivalent to the number of HCF employees—through the Learning for Life program.
Log in to Medianet for Journalists to view all of today's releases
How can my press release be featured in Medianet's NewsMatch Alert?
All releases distributed through Medianet are eligible to be featured in our NewsMatch Alert, based on their editorial merit. NewsMatch is distributed to journalists daily via email and our new LinkedIn newsletter.
I'm a journalist, how do I subscribe to NewsMatch?
This newsletter is sent daily to email subscribers. To subscribe, sign up to our NewsMatch email alert.
Where can I see all press releases?
To read all press releases, visit our NewsHub. Journalists also have access to embargoed press releases and the ability to setup personalised alerts by signing up to Medianet for Journalists (free).