David Clarke

Some information was released overnight about the LNP Housing Plan, ahead of today's State Budget reply speech. While there are still many details to come, it's encouraging to see some of the proposed measures in scope, including shared equity programs and major infrastructure partnerships with local government to increase housing supply. New and innovative concepts for maximising church-owned land and utiliising vacant bedrooms make for interesting reading. And if the reports are accurate, there is a strong commitment to achieving housing targets leading up to 2046. Q Shelter is looking forward to unpacking all the details and providing useful budget analysis for the sector. This will include areas of convergence with the major parties on housing policy and differences in approaches. https://lnkd.in/g6FcR_Qh Stay tuned. #StateBudget #Housing #Homelessness #HomeMatters #BetterTogether #Queensland

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The NSW Labor Government will introduce a new Performance and Wellbeing Framework as part of its budget papers to improve transparency and accountability along with driving positive social outcomes. Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos announced the new framework in a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia in Sydney. It will replace the previous Liberal-National Government’s Outcomes Statement. The Performance and Wellbeing Framework will: Provide improved ‘line of sight’ for monitoring performance by more explicitly linking the government’s objectives with the results and impact achieved. Reflect the government’s priorities, emphasising state responsibility across key service delivery areas such as health, education, transport and housing. Embed wellbeing considerations in advice to government, supporting improvements in resources allocation, decision making, and public accountability. Work alongside the Commonwealth's ‘Measuring What Matters’ statement, along with similar tools used in other states and territories, and in similar jurisdictions around the world.

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Wonderful to see a local government leading on the need for a new PDA to help unlock huge potential for new housing supply as it seeks to deal with population growth and other challenges. We met with Cairns Mayor, Amy Eden, and the Director of Planning, Ed Johnson, this week to discuss the council's push for a Priority Development Area (PDA) in the Mt Peter Southern Growth Corridor. We were discussing the opportunities presented by the new Economic Development Queensland remit that recently passed through the Queensland Parliament, including the role of community housing providers (CHPs). We expressed our sector’s keen interest, which is also one of our key state election asks, to identify more PDA’s across Queensland to assist manage growth. We know conservatively there is an under supply of about 5,300 social homes in Cairns and by mid 2030, that under supply will jump to 11,500, subject to housing commencements. Cairns is also in the top 10 cities in the country for unmet housing need. By working closely with the Cairns Regional Council, and our local housing networks, we are confident that every lever is being pulled and explored locally, so it is time to lean into these options to unlock even more potential in the north. We look forward continuing the discussions about the PDA opportunity for Cairns and playing a partnership-role with the rest of the system to support this direction. #PriorityDevelopmentAreas #Cairns #HousingSupply #Planning #Development #Growth #CommunityHousing

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xpenses in the aged care sector are a critical focus for organizations aiming to balance cost savings with high-quality care. Smaller and regional aged Aged care homes encounter unique challenges in cost management and government funding. Leveraging procurement specialists like S.T.A.R Procurement is key to swiftly identifying savings on various expenditure items. S.T.A.R Procurement offers tailored solutions, delivering tangible savings of up to 30% off baseline costs for organizations such as Healthia Limited, Tristar Medical, and Capitol Health. By cascading these savings to associated entities, procurement not only cuts costs but also aids in achieving strategic goals, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring compliance. Over the last 6 months, S.T.A.R Procurement has achieved significant savings in categories like stationery (25%), printing (30%), utilities (25%), and medical consumables (15%). Implementing procurement improvements is a straightforward process yielding substantial benefits without extensive consulting hours. External procurement support can provide a cost-effective boost to strategic objectives compared to internal resources.

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Are you prepared for the future of aged care? Get your free copy of our guide, 'What Does Future Planning For Aged Care Look Like?' This essential resource is filled with practical advice and key insights to help you understand the complexities of aged care planning. From legal considerations to choosing the right care setting, our guide equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Secure the best possible future for your loved ones with Well Placed Care. Download your copy today and start planning with confidence: https://bit.ly/4aCmkZ2 #agedcarespecialists #agedcarespecialist #homecare #homecarepackages #residentialcare #agedcarefinancial #independentagedcarespecialist #agedcareplacementagent #homecareadvisor #futureplanning

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Are you prepared for the future of aged care? Get your free copy of our guide, 'What Does Future Planning For Aged Care Look Like?' This essential resource is filled with practical advice and key insights to help you understand the complexities of aged care planning. From legal considerations to choosing the right care setting, our guide equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Secure the best possible future for your loved ones with Well Placed Care. Download your copy today and start planning with confidence: https://bit.ly/4aCmkZ2 #agedcarespecialists #agedcarespecialist #homecare #homecarepackages #residentialcare #agedcarefinancial #independentagedcarespecialist #agedcareplacementagent #homecareadvisor #futureplanning

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As Australia's demographics continue to evolve, one thing we know for sure is that in the near-to-medium term we will be navigating the impacts of an ageing population on our current health system capability. We are already seeing this challenge play out and the time to invest in strengthening capability and elevating digital health infrastructure is now. Here is the Federal Government's 10-year plan. #digitalhealth #Australia #healthtech

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Strategic Planning Support with Noosa Council Every not-for-profit needs a strategic plan to stay focused on its mission, make the most of resources and ensure long-term impact. A strategic plan helps align efforts, set measurable goals and adapt to changing environments. A clear roadmap allows organisations to stay accountable and make a bigger difference in their community. Noosa Council is supporting local clubs and community organisations with their strategic planning. Council has engaged CPR Group to provide the necessary face-to-face guidance and forward planning. Through this engagement, Noosa Council seeks to assist local not-for-profit organisations to take a more strategic approach to their service delivery, identifying projects that best align with their purpose and focusing on core business for the benefit of current and future members. E: info@cprgroup.com.au W: cprgroup.com.au P: 1800 100 204 #strategicplan #strategicplanning #strategicplanwriter #strategicplanconsultant #clubplan #clubstrategicplan #howtowriteastrategicplan #howtowriteasportsclubstrategicplan #queensland #noosacouncil

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World leading public & digital health expert Iiona Kickbusch in #adelaide #healthinallinstitute workshop considering impact of digital tech on health systems and wellbeing. Prof Kickbusch referred to very concerning research findings 46% of women aged 16-24 have a mental health disorder. 'Digital Determinants of Health' has +/- consequence and societal and personal impacts from over use and reliance on digital technology, including the digital divide - data solidarity (sovereignty and social/public value), affordability, varying quality of health information via social media, accessibilty issues to digital health services and tech eg smartwatches, the current power and role with incentive of profit maximisation in health and wellbeing from for-profit sector. Whether digital health supports or destroys the community and impacts the behaviour, trust, polarisation in social. People are being pushed into polarised positions by social media and the algorithms eg during Covid approx 20 people influenced millions of people through that lack of control on social media spreading mis- information. Health is being used via digital technologies to influence the social discourse and create polarisation and distrust, and lack of consensus. Discussed Ethical AI and the need for more work on Digital Ethics, AI predictive analysis, AI powered automation, and the lacknof regulation with for-profit sector driving technology / social media, with need for legislation to promote 'trusted digital platforms and assessing digital health products and services. Useful reference is recent book by Jonathan Haidt 'Anxious generation' proposing the rise in younger people's anxiety and wellbeing concerns commenced in 2012 with the release of the camera on a Smartphone resulting in the rise of phone based childhood, decline of childhood play, negatively impacting body image on young women and increased negative societal consequence from pornography from the use of internet by young men. ie Social media is causing harm to people's health and wellbeing. Noting the positive step taken in #southaustralia with Education Department banning mobile phones in the classroom to reduce time and use of the internet and social media - introducing a social norm on not using a phone at school. #datasaveslives #digitalhealth

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The ACT Government welcomes the wide range of initiatives in the 2024-25 Commonwealth Budget that will benefit Canberrans and our city. We know that Canberra households have faced significantly rising costs over the past two years. The $300 Energy Bill Relief for every household in the ACT will provide much needed relief for nearly two hundred thousand Canberra households. Across the five jurisdictions in the National Electricity Market the ACT will continue to have the lowest standing offers in 2024-25 after other jurisdictions increased by up to 29% last financial year. The ACT Government will assess further energy bill relief for Canberra households in the June Territory Budget once the ICRC final price determination is known. The redesigned Stage 3 Tax Cuts will provide income tax relief to every worker in the ACT from 1 July 2024. Collectively, ACT residents will benefit the most from these tax cuts as we have a high proportion of pay-as-you-earn taxpayers in the relevant income tax brackets. We welcome the changes to the tax cuts that were designed to support lower and middle income workers to manage cost of living pressures. While rising cost of living pressures have been broad based, households’ ability to deal with these pressures is unevenly distributed, impacting employees substantially more than others. Almost four in every five taxpayers in the ACT will receive a larger tax cut compared to the previous Liberal Government’s plan. We also welcome the HECS debt relief for 57,000 people in the ACT, predominantly providing support to younger Canberrans who have recently graduated. The changes, particularly the fact they have been backdated, are a necessary intervention to avoid unfair outcomes for young workers now and into the future. The ACT has the highest proportion of university level educational attainment in the country so, collectively, Canberrans will be the greatest beneficiaries from these changes. The deeming rates freeze will also provide additional cost of living relief to an estimated 14,500 income support recipients in Canberra. Additionally, the Federal Government’s investment through the Strengthening Medicare fund in partnership with the ACT Government will take the pressure off our hospital system and continue to ensure Canberrans get the care they need when they need it. This investment will strengthen our partnership to make our nurse-led walk-in centres even better, delivering more healthcare workers and more services and ensure we can better support older Canberrans can stay out of hospital and get home sooner. We also support the decision in the Budget to freeze the cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The increase of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by a further 10 per cent, building on the 15 per cent increase in last year’s Budget will benefit approximately 7,300 Canberra households.

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Home aged care provider Silverchain Group has partnered with the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) to develop a new framework to help in-home aged care providers implement technology-supported services. In what is thought to be the first guidelines specifically for older people and the aged care workforce in the Australian in-home aged care setting, the framework has been informed by several studies conducted at Silverchain. #ehealth #healthit #digitalhealth #PulseIT

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The StewartBrown study Aged Care at the Crossroads highlights the Australian aged care sector's financial challenges and the need for funding reforms to ensure sustainability and quality. Technology can help solve workforce issues by providing live evaluation data and preventing catastrophic accidents. Aged Care EchoCare Technology Case Study EchoCare Technologies' non-wearable ECHO (Elderly Care Home Observer) technology uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to track seniors' everyday activities and identify emergencies. This radar-based device tracks motions and physiological indications in residential spaces without cameras, ensuring privacy. Open API architecture and integration options EchoCare's open API architecture integrates with many clinical care systems. This versatility allows EchoCare data to be exchanged across platforms, improving care delivery: EHRs: EchoCare data can be incorporated into residents' EHRs to provide a complete health picture and any changes. This improves coordination and decision-making by giving all care providers the latest information. Alerts and Notifications: In real-time, the system warns caregivers of emergencies and crucial resident status changes. Staff transmit alerts to mobile devices for quick response and intervention. Increasing Resident Quality Many quality improvements result from EchoCare technology integration with clinical care systems: Early Detection and Intervention: EchoCare monitors residents' activities and physiological signs to detect health issues early and prevent serious complications. The system's ability to identify falls and other crises guarantees residents receive prompt care, reducing injury risk and improving safety. EchoCare's AI engine learns the resident's routine and recognises deviations, allowing carers to provide more personalised care. Changes in restroom use or gait may indicate medical issues. Effective Staff Decision-Making EchoCare gives workers live data to help make decisions: Carers can see trends and health issues in detailed reports on residents' daily activity, sleep, and mobility. This data-driven strategy enhances care. Automating typical monitoring chores frees EchoCare professionals to focus on more essential treatment areas. For instance, the system warns workers of unexpected activity, reducing night inspections. Integration with clinical care systems streamlines operations, freeing carers to focus on patient care. This is only one example of how technology can address workforce issues. If you are interested in discussing this topic further or participating in a proof-of-concept (POC) project where we explore innovative ways to resolve workforce issues without waiting for government decisions, please get in touch with me directly. Let's work together to create sustainable solutions for the aged care sector.

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Bill Shorten Media Release: New NDIS providers receive grants to co-design new payment options The Albanese Government is trialling a new approach to paying for disability supports to ensure National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants receive high quality supports that produce meaningful outcomes. As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the Australian Government committed $24.6 million over four years to work with participants and providers to trial blended payments which will test if there is a better payment option than the current fee-for-service model. Since then, the Albanese Government has been working closely with participants, providers and representative groups to design the best way forward on the trial.  The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) today announced 31 providers would share in $330,000 and take part in the co-design of blended payment options to explore how they might work. Minister for the NDIS the Hon. Bill Shorten MP said the Blended Payments trial is an opportunity to test different ways providers can be paid which encourage them to deliver better quality supports and achieve outcomes for participants.  “Under the current fee-for-service model, a participant pays a provider for their services and often that’s the end of it. The idea of a blended payment method will test if there might be a better option – where both participants and providers are clearer from the start on the desired outcome and thereby work more effectively towards that,” Minister Shorten said. From next year, following the co-design process, the NDIA and Department of Social Services (DSS) will begin trialling blended payment methods (among small groups of voluntary participants) to test their effectiveness. The trial will involve combining two types of payment. The first is an enrolment payment, where providers are paid for providing supports over a period of time (for example 1 or 2 years). The second is an outcome-based payment where a provider is paid when a participant’s goal is achieved. By trialling the blended payment method, we are testing if changing the payment approach can achieve better outcomes for participants. The fee-for-service payments currently used can narrow the focus to be on the amount of support delivered, rather than whether the supports are achieving results for participants. “This is a necessary innovation in shaping how payments could work differently in the NDIS in the long-term. We need to give participants more options in the future on how they engage providers and how they may pay them.” “To ensure we get this right, we’re co-designing the payment model with participants, Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCOs), providers and peak bodies.” Full story:

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Join over 200+ aged care professionals already registered for our August webinar to learn how data and technology can drive productivity and value in your organisation. Hear from industry expert Luke Benson from Blue Bike, who is collaborating with several large aged care providers on the latest tech strategies. Gain insights into the most common mistakes providers make and the key areas to focus on for achieving success. Register now: https://hubs.la/Q02K8J_j0 #MakingAgedCareBetter #AgedCareAustralia #DigitalTransformation

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Kicking off vodcast 1 in the joint Prestantia Health and AUDIENCED series on Australian Primary Healthcare Innovation and Improvement Series, you can now watch the HIGHLIGHTS of a longer conversation to be released in the coming days. Leanne Wells, Paresh Dawda & Angelene True well done!

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Did you hear the news hot off the press? 📢 The NEW NDIS Prices have been released, effective from 1 July. Our 2024 Price Guide Article summarises the most important changes to NDIS Prices that you need to know about. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/e8SmhZ9D  #MyCareSpace #NDIS #NDISPriceGuide #NDISPricing

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Practical resources developed with strong consumer involvement for both consumers and health practitioners.

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A new free data resource providing timely, high-quality insights about regional visits was launched this week by Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)'s Tourism Research Australia.   The new mobility data, which uses de-identified and aggregated data from several million mobile phones, harnesses technology to provide insights regarding domestic travellers that traditional surveys can’t.   Mobility data is published by TRA monthly, typically within a fortnight of month's end. This complements TRA’s more comprehensive National #Visitor Survey, which will continue to be published each quarter.   The monthly #Data is a fast and reliable source of insights on domestic visitors for the #Tourism industry.   My colleague Grant Ferres outlines that we have been publishing mobility data at a national and state/territory level for several months. He says this week's inaugural release of data for all 76 tourism regions is a continuation along TRA’s path of delivering data at more granular levels of geography and on a more timely basis. We have been able to develop this data for publication thanks to additional funding from the Australian Government   TRA's mobility data model draws on data from a variety of sources, including mobile phone network and GPS data, population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and inputs from TRA’s own National Visitor Survey. All data is anonymised and aggregated, to ensure confidentiality and privacy is prioritised at every stage.   The free new data resource is published in a user friendly interactive dashboard, which allows users to choose the geographic location and month of interest. The data is presented as a comparison with the same month from the previous year, to assist with understanding changes and trends in visitation.  It will greatly assist Regional Tourism Organisations and Local Governments to understand movement by travellers (ie those who are travelling for day trips, overnight trips).   Mobility data also forms an important and major component of a new domestic ‘big data’ product called Domestic Tourism Statistics (DoTS), which will replace the current National Visitor Survey as the source of official domestic tourism statistics from early next year.     Improving data and insights is a priority of Australia’s national long-term strategy for the visitor economy, THRIVE 2030, and the new data supports Australia’s broader Data and Digital Government strategy.   View the monthly regional mobility data at https://lnkd.in/d7DSHjgU   #DomesticTravel #Travel #TourismStatistics #TravelStats #InformingDecisions #RTOs #LocalGovernment Queensland Tourism Industry Council NSW Tourism Association Tourism Industry Council SA (TiCSA) Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Tourism Industry Council Tasmania Tourism Top End Tourism Council WA Australian Regional Tourism Ltd (ART) Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW)

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