COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY JUNE 17 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 intended to be 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 being frequently updated and revoked. The URLs provided may no longer be maintained by the relevant legislative website, after the release date.
ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2020/565
- Amends certain legislative instruments to specify that certain temporary measures will cease to operate six months after they commenced.
- Excludes the designated areas in Queensland from the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Remote Communities) Determination 2020 on and from 12 June 2020.
Fair Work Amendment (Variation of Enterprise Agreements No. 2) Regulations 2020
- Repeals amendments made by the Fair Work Amendment (Variation of Enterprise Agreements) Regulations 2020.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Regulations 2020
- Waives permission-related fees for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 to provide urgent temporary relief from the financial pressures faced by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park permission holders and permission applicants, including tourism operators, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Corporate Plans) Rules 2020
- Enables accountable authorities of Commonwealth entities and directors of Commonwealth companies impacted by COVID-19 to defer the publication of corporate plans prepared for a reporting period beginning on 1 July 2020 up until 31 January 2021.
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response - 2020 Measures No. 10) Determination 2020
- Implements several measures to prevent detriment to recipients of social security payments resulting from the impacts of COVID-19.
Statement of Principles Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Balance of Probabilities)
- Will be applied in determining claims under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.
Statement of Principles Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Reasonable Hypothesis)
- Will be applied in determining claims under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.
- Amends the Public Ancillary Fund Guidelines 2011 and the Taxation Administration (Private Ancillary Fund) Guidelines 2019 to support giving by these funds in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years in response to the effects of the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
Public Health (COVID-19 Lord Howe Island) Order (No 2) 2020
- Deals with the public health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences on Lord Howe lsland by giving a Ministerial direction that restricts access to and from the Island
Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) (No 3) Amendment Order 2020
- Eases certain restrictions imposed by the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 3) 2020.
Transport Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation 2020
- Amends a variety of departmental fees and charges for the 2020-21 financial year.
Proclamation under the Constitution Act 1934
- Appoints 1 August 2020 as the date on which a poll is to be held in respect of the periodical elections of members of the Legislative Council, now that there is no longer a significant risk to public health that would make it undesirable to hold the 2020 election.
- Revokes the Direction Under Section 16 of the Public Health Act (Hospitals - No. 4) from 11:59 PM on 31 May 2020.
Public Health Emergency Order under Section 22G (PHEO #6)
- Removes the requirement for a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner to apply to for a Schedule 8 permit in certain circumstances, and removes certain limitations in the public health emergency order published on 26 March 2020.
Public Health Emergency Order under Section 22D (PHEO #7)
- Enables pharmacists to supply a medicine in Victoria consistent with a Therapeutic Goods Administration Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notice.
COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions (Notice No. 165)
- Issues COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions which amends NZ IFRS 16 Leases.
Social Security (COVID-19 - Exemption from Stand Down) Amendment Regulations 2020
- Exempts a benefit from stand down in certain circumstances.
FROM THE REGULATORS
Australian Government:
Department of Education, Skills and Employment:
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator:
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
ACT Government:
Dedicated Coronavirus (COVID-19 Webpage):
NSW Government:
NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services:
Department of Energy and Mining:
SA Government:
WorkSafe Tasmania:
WA Government:
- Message to East-coast FIFO Workers: Move to WA
- State Recovery Advisory Group Meets to Guide WA’s Recovery
- WA Government to Bring Forward $4.65 Million Funding for Sports to Maintain and Upgrade Assets as Part of COVID-19 Recovery
- $5m for Western Australia to Lead Ground-breaking COVID-19 Research
- $56 Million Investment to Provide Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Support to At-Risk and Vulnerable Groups
- $800,000 from New Industries Fund to Support COVID-19 Affected Innovation Sector
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment:
- Changes to the Building Code Update Programme
- Helping Families Reunite and Supporting Economic Recovery with Border Exceptions
Ministry of Health:
NZ Government:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 24 June 2020.
