Changes for medicines containing codeine
Following the unanimous advice of the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling in August 2015, an important change that will help save lives came into effect on February 1 for medicines containing codeine. Codeine is an opioid drug that can cause opioid tolerance, dependence, toxicity and in high doses, death. Many people also develop severe health issues due to use and misuse of over the counter products containing codeine including liver damage, stomach ulceration, and respiratory depression. Each year, low dose codeine products are a factor in the death of more than 100 Australians. Medicines containing codeine will no longer be available without a prescription – a move that’s based on the best medical advice and has national support from governments, the medical profession and consumer groups. Consumers will not be disadvantaged by this change. Most people will be able to get relief from acute pain, and cough, cold and flu symptoms using other safe and effective over-the-counter medicines without codeine.
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Getting kids back to school
The Nationals-Liberal Government is focusing on improving school attendance across remote communities. Getting an education is not only the first step in ensuring that our young people do not end up in the criminal justice system, but also gives students a great platform to pursue further studies and training or to get a job. Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS) teams across the Electorate have been hard at work preparing their communities for the first week back at school. RSAS teams develop a locally tailored ‘back to school’ plan specifically for their community – ensuring students and their families are equipped with the tools they need to increase school attendance from the first day of school.
New apprentices to benefit from intensive support
More than 40,000 apprentices in industries undergoing structural change are set to benefit from intensive support in their first two years of training. The new program, funded by a $60 million investment from the Government, will substantially build upon support provided through the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network and aims to significantly increase retention and completion rates for apprentices in industries undergoing structural change. An industry specialist mentoring service will be provided to Australian Apprentices in industries as diverse as automotive repair, manufacturing, mining, construction, tourism and health. Mentors will be highly skilled and possess detailed knowledge that will allow them to address particular career and skills development concerns related to their industry.” Visit: www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Electricity assets
The Australian Government announced that all future applications for the sale of electricity transmission and distribution assets, and some generation assets, will attract ownership restrictions or conditions for foreign buyers. These conditions codify those already applied, on a case-by-case basis, to previous transactions.
Electricity distribution and transmission infrastructure are critical national assets and a key national security safeguard is the diversity of ownership of these assets.
This approach will allow the Government to actively manage the level of ownership and control from investors in a single asset or within a sector. Each case will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account a range of factors such as the cumulative level of ownership within a sector, the need for diversity of ownership and the asset’s critical importance. Parties interested in acquiring or selling critical infrastructure assets are encouraged to engage with the Foreign Investment Review Board as early as possible to identify if ownership restrictions or conditions may apply.
