In late March, the Minamata Convention on Mercury had its fourth Conference of the Parties (COP4) in Bali, Indonesia. This was the first COP since Australia ratified the Convention late last year. The meeting mapped out additional annex inclusions for phase-down and/or phase-out items containing mercury. There were several items of interest and I encourage you to read the Report to Stakeholders to get an understanding of the kinds of changes on the horizon.

Of particular interest are the Annex A Part II changes relating to dental amalgam. You can read about the latest proposed phase-down measures at the bottom of this email. You can also read Annex A Part II (Dental Amalgam) in its entirety here.

It is important to note, as of 7 March 2022, Australia is now bound by the decisions of the Convention.

What is the Minamata Convention on Mercury?

The Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in October 2013 and has the objective of protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

Australia ratified the Minamata Convention on 7 December 2021 and is legally bound to both the treaty obligations and decisions of the COP.

The Convention entered into force for Australia on 7 March 2022.

Changes to the use of Mercury in Dentistry
(Annex A Part II Dental Amalgam)

Additional phase-down actions (by 2025) for dental amalgam:

- exclude or not allow, by taking measures as appropriate, the use of mercury in bulk form by dental practitioners; and

- exclude or not allow, by taking measures as appropriate, or recommend against the use of dental amalgam for the dental treatment of deciduous teeth, of patients under 15 years, and of pregnant and breastfeeding women, except when considered necessary by the dental practitioner based on the needs of the patient.

Quick Links

The Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Minamata Convention on Mercury text including Annex A Part II

The Minamata Convention on Mercury COP4 Report to Stakeholders

Late last week, Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese gave the Australian Labor Party’s official Budget 2022-2023 reply speech. A cornerstone of the response was improvements to aged care.

Mr Albanese highlighted five key areas the Opposition would fund should they win the election next month.

1. A commitment to have a registered nurse on-site at each RACF (Residential Aged Care Facility) 24/7

2. Mandated minimum of 215 minutes of face-to-face care per resident per day

3. A wage rise for aged care workers

4. Mandatory nutrition standards in all RACF

5. Integrity and accountability - increased powers to the Aged Care Commissioner

This focus from Labor, along with Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt’s promise of continued funding of the Dental Services for Adults scheme last week means ADIA, along with other relevant associations can continue the work we are doing in the aged care sector, regardless of the outcome of next month’s election.

Improving the oral health of Australians in aged care

Following the recent results from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and budget promises from both major parties, the ADIA, along with several other associations and stakeholder groups look forward to continued advancement in the mission to improve the oral health of older Australians.

Currently, there is $107.8 million allocated to the Dental Services for Adults scheme each year. The Australian Oral Health Collaboration (AOHC) made up of ADIA, the University of Sydney, NSW Council of Social Service, ADA NSW and Rural and Remote Health, is working with stakeholders on both sides of politics to ensure some of this funding is earmarked for programs within aged care.

The allocated funding will ensure regular, ongoing healthcare in RACF. The scope of this care will include work placement of tertiary qualified dental hygienists via a pilot program being created with the University of Sydney, with a focus on prevention and non-emergency care.

Regular contact with a dental professional and prevention education will be integral to providing Australians in RACF with care in a way that minimises cost and pain, and ensures they are treated with dignity.

The ADIA as part of the AOHC looks forward to continued dialogue and further federal commitment to this plan during and beyond the election campaign.

2022-2023 Federal Budget

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the Government’s annual budget on Tuesday night. The Treasurer declared the Coalition’s budget supported a “dramatic and material improvement to the bottom line”.

In the lead-up to the federal election, the spending package focused mainly on individuals and “cost of living relief in a targeted and temporary way”. The relief measures included one-off payments and an immediate 50 per cent cut to the fuel excise, which should trickle down to the user in the next fortnight, lasting until September.

You can read the Government release on the 2022-2023 Budget in full.

With a forecast deficit of $78 billion in 22-23, the package also included some incentives for business, relevant to ADIA members.

Technology Investment Boost

Small businesses with annual turnover of less than $50 million will have access to a new bonus 20  per cent deduction for the cost of expenses and depreciating assets that support digital uptake, up to $100,000 of expenditure per year. The boost is available immediately until 30 June 2023.

Skills Training

Small businesses with annual turnover of less than $50 million will have access to a new bonus 20 per cent deduction for the cost of external training courses delivered to their employees by providers registered in Australia. The initiative is available immediately until 30 June 2024.

The Instant Asset Write-off rule is still in play

The Government highlighted savings from previous deregulation including a reduction to the company tax rate and increased access to small business tax concessions. Though no new reform was announced Tuesday.

The increased Instant Asset Write-off is also still available. Originally released in March 2020 until June of the same year, the purchase threshold increased from $30,000 to $150,000 (per asset) and expanded access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover or income of less than $5B. The instant asset write-off is available until June 2023.

Read the ‘Delivering for Small Businesses’ package.
 

COVID-19 Winter Response Plan

The Treasurer briefly outlined the COVID-19 Winter Response Plan, including a $6 billion spend to ensure the transition to an open economy is insulated from increased cases of COVID-19 and Influenza during the colder months. The spend includes priority access to treatment for vulnerable populations, maximising access to vaccinations and testing, health system resilience, public communication, and a sizeable PPE investment for the National Medical Stockpile.
 

The Healthcare Package

Immediately following the budget announcement in Parliament, the Department of Health released further information outlining the healthcare package. You can find this here. 

Included in this information, Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt confirmed the ongoing funding of dental services to eligible Australians in Tuesday’ s budget, ‘Dental and oral health is a key part of primary care and the Government is supporting the continuation of the Federation Funding Agreement (FFA) on Public Dental Services for Adults with $107.8 million, for an additional 12 months, to 30 June 2023,’ Minister Hunt’s release stated.

As well as the COVID-19 strategy, the main healthcare focus on Tuesday night was the continued measures taken following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, along with a substantial package for mental health support services.

Healthcare and hospitals were also a key part of the Regional Accelerator Program, outlining heavy investment in several regional areas across Australia.

At a glance

Further line items that will no doubt be of interest to members include more affordable childcare, changes to paid parental leave and the Regional Accelerator Program, which includes funding for modern manufacturing and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.