COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2020
Please find below a selection of recent legislation changes relating to COVID-19 and communications for workplaces from key safety and environmental regulators in Australia and New Zealand.
This update is provided on a weekly basis.
LEGISLATION CHANGES
Please note: the legislation in this update was current at time of release. Legislation around COVID-19 is frequently updated and revoked. The URLs provided may no longer be maintained by the relevant legislative website, after the release date.
- Extends the human biosecurity emergency period for a further 3 months until 17 December 2020, unless further extended by the Governor-General.
- Defers the enacted sunset of Division 3 of Part III (Special powers relating to terrorism offences) of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Act 2020
- Supports the extended operation of the JobKeeper scheme for a further temporary period.
- Amends the Migration (LIN 18/036: Period, Manner and Evidence of Labour Market Testing) Instrument 2018 to include an additional requirement for the manner in which labour market testing is required to be undertaken.
- Adjusts and expands the measure introduced by LIN 20/122: COVID-19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa and visa application charge for Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa) Instrument 2020 to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has evolved since the measure was initially implemented.
Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation (Early Release Payments) Amendment Regulations 2020
- Amends a deadline to ensure that the early release arrangements in the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Scheme continue to align with early release of superannuation options for other Australians, under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulation 1994.
Product Stewardship (Oil) Amendment (Re-refined Base Oil) Regulations 2020
- Provides for a temporary additional amount of product stewardship (oil) benefit in certain circumstances as part of the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.
- Extends the deadline by which applications must be made for coronavirus related early release from superannuation and retirement savings accounts.
Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Amendment Order (No 4) 2020
- Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order 2020 in relation to the control of the New South Wales border.
- Establishes the COVID-19 International Tourism Adaptation Grant Scheme to enable the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority to provide grants to tourism businesses in regional Queensland who can demonstrate they have suffered losses of income due to the international travel restrictions.
Rural and Regional Adjustment (COVID-19 Marine Tourism Rebate Scheme) Amendment Regulation 2020
- Establishes the Marine Tourism Rebate Scheme which enables the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) to provide a rebate to eligible applicants of up to a maximum of $20,000 to offset privately-owned marina berthing fees for eligible vessels that operate in eligible local government areas in North Queensland.
COVID-19 Emergency Response Sporting Clubs, Treasurer’s Instructions and Audits Expiry Notice 2020
- Specifies that certain sections of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 will expire on 3 September 2020.
Revocation of Fee Notice - Fee Notice
- Determines the fee to be paid by a prescribed arrival who is an Overseas Arrival directed under Section 25 of the Emergency Management Act 2004 to reside and remain quarantined and segregated from other persons at hotel or other commercial accommodation for 14 days.
COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment (Quarantine Debt Recovery) Act 2020
- Implements a model for charging for hotel quarantine in Tasmania.
- Requires affected persons arriving in Tasmania to undergo certain clinical assessments.
Direction Under Section 16 of the Public Health Act 1997 - Management of premises - No. 2
- Restricts the number of persons allowed to be present at a residential premises and certain other premises.
Extension of Emergency Declaration
- Further extends the public health emergency declared on 17 March 2020 for 12 weeks commencing on 30 August 2020.
Premier’s Declaration of a State of Disaster
- Declares that a state of disaster exists in relation to the whole of Victoria until 11:59 pm on 13 September 2020.
Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (State of Emergency Extension and Other Matters) Act 2020
- Lengthens the period for which the state of emergency declaration may continue from 6 months to 12 months, alters the circumstances in which the Chief Health Officer may authorise officers to exercise certain powers, enhances certain reporting requirements and clarifies other matters.
Extension of Declaration (No. 2) of Public Health State of Emergency
- Extends the public health state of emergency for 14 days.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) 2020
- Imposes certain requirements on persons arriving in New Zealand by air.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Isolation and Quarantine) Order 2020
- Sets out the requirements for people who must be isolated or quarantined in accordance with this order, and restricts entry to any managed isolation or quarantine facility to persons who are approved, authorised, or required to enter.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Maritime Border) Order (No 2) 2020
- Restricts which ships may arrive in New Zealand, puts in place isolation or quarantine requirements for people who arrive in New Zealand by sea, and provides exemptions to enable the safe transfer of maritime crew.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Amendment Order 2020
- Specifies the groups of affected persons who must report for, and undergo, recurring testing and medical examination for COVID-19.
FROM THE REGULATORS
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency:
Department of Education, Skills and Employment:
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
ACT Government:
Department of Primary Industries:
NSW Government:
QLD Government:
The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory:
- Building Resilient, Healthy and Active Communities Post COVID-19
- New Tourism Attractions Create Jobs During Qld’s Time of Need
- Qld Govt Delivers $2 Mil Lifeline to Whitsunday Tour Boats Operators
- Queensland COVID-19 - Saturday August 29 to Friday September 4: Mental Health, Tourism Support and Cross-Border Arrangement
Department of State Growth:
Department of Health and Human Services:
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions:
VIC Government:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 16 September 2020.
