The Latest national cabinet response

The National Cabinet met on 4th June for the 45th time to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy. To date, 30 per cent of the Australian adult population have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 50 per cent of over 50 year olds and over 70 per cent of over 70 year olds. 

National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response

National Partnership Agreement 

National Cabinet welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s $752 million extension to the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response through to 30 June 2022. The National Partnership on COVID-19 Response provides Commonwealth funding to support state and territory efforts to address the pandemic, including the Hospital Services Payment, State Public Health Payment, Vaccine Schedule, Aged Care Schedule, and the Private Hospital Viability Guarantee.

International Passenger Arrivals

National Cabinet noted that international aviation remains critical to supporting the return of Australians from overseas as well as maintaining freight access (imports and exports) and Australia’s long-term international connectivity. National Cabinet agreed to temporarily reduce the current international passenger arrival caps by 50 per cent to manage the pressure on quarantine facilities due to the increased risks posed by the Delta strain of the virus. These arrangements will: commence by 12.01am Wednesday 14 July and remain in place until 31 August; and be subject to a review by National Cabinet before the end of August and on a regular basis throughout the remainder of 2021. National Cabinet agreed that returning Australians will continue to be prioritised as part of these arrangements.

Vaccination Rollout

The vaccination rollout will continue to prioritise vaccinations for people in Phase 1a through simplified and streamlined access at all state and territory-operated sites, including for example by providing walk-in access and no requirement to pre-book an appointment.

National Cabinet agreed to opening access to a COVID-19 vaccine to the following groups by 8 June 2021:

1.  people aged 40-49 years not otherwise eligible;
2.  all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 49 years;
3.  NDIS participants aged 16 years and over and carers aged 16 years and over of NDIS participants of any age; and
4.  temporary visa holders aged under 50 years who are currently in Australia and have been approved for return travel to Australia through the travel exemption process.

National Cabinet further agreed to not proceed with the identification of ‘other essential and high priority workers’ in Phase 2a, given the difficulty defining these populations and the expansion to people aged 40-49 years.

The Commonwealth reconfirmed that states and territories do not need to provision for second doses as the Commonwealth retains doses for second use. States and territories are able to administer all doses supplied by the Commonwealth.