Australian Dental Association News

Be advised of the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA). Details of this meeting are as follows:

Meeting: 2021 ADIA Annual General Meeting
Date: Monday 8 November, 2021
Time: 2:00 PM (AEDT)
Location: Online, Virtual Meeting. 

Meeting papers comprise:

1. 2021 AGM Agenda
2. 2020 AGM Minutes
3. Independent Auditor's 2021 Financial Report

NOTE: Please note that all AGM meeting papers are available in the member resources section of the ADIA website. You will need to log in to access these. Please have your password ready to log in.

At the meeting, members will have the opportunity to:

• find out about ADIA's operations and finances;
• ask questions about the operations and finances of the ADIA, and
• speak about any items on the agenda.

In addition, corporate members will be asked to vote on the resolutions proposed.

As this meeting will be held virtually, it would be helpful if any queries or questions could be addressed in advance. If you have any questions about the content of the special resolutions proposed, it would be greatly appreciated if you would raise these with the CEO prior to the day of the AGM.

At the meeting corporate members will be asked to:

• accept the minutes for the 2020 annual general meeting;
• accept the independent auditor's report.

With New South Wales achieving its stage one roadmap out of lockdown goal of 70% double vaccination rate, all local government areas within the state are no longer considered local government areas of concern and businesses began to open this week.

Victoria remains in lockdown but will also soon reach its nominated roadmap easing thresholds of 70% to 80% fully vaccinated with the caveat of "subject to health system capacity”.

What does this mean for New South Wales?

Proof of vaccination signage and guidance

From Monday 11 October 2021 all non-essential businesses must request people aged 16 and over to show proof of vaccination or a medical exemption when visiting their premises.

Business can use these guides and resources to ensure you follow the rules:

• proof of vaccination or medical exemption posters
• proof of vaccination advice for businesses
• COVID-19 vaccination guidance for your business
• COVID-19 vaccination compliance and obligations.

Registered COVID-Safe businesses can also download new QR code check-in posters updated with proof of vaccination details.

Am I responsible for ensuring only vaccinated staff, customers and visitors attend my business?

Businesses (but not businesses that are critical retail premises) are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent unvaccinated people entering their premises.

For example, you could:

• ensure posters outlining vaccination requirements and Service NSW QR codes are clearly visible
• train staff on ways to check proof of COVID-19 vaccination status (or a valid exemption) and what to do if someone refuses to be checked or is not vaccinated
• remind customers of vaccination requirements in marketing materials and when taking and confirming bookings
•  consider ways for non-vaccinated customers to purchase products online
• checking vaccination status upon entry where practical.

Can businesses force an unvaccinated customer to leave the premises?

There are public health orders in place that require a person to be vaccinated in certain indoor areas and public outdoor gatherings in NSW, unless an exemption applies.

If the occupier of the premises believes that a person does not have a valid exemption, the occupier can ask the person to leave the premises. If the person refuses, the occupier of the premises can notify the police.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (ACCI) Workplace Relations and WH&S team have prepared a comprehensive guide for employers on COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace.

The Guide is a working document that will be updated with new editions and new information as legal determinations are made.

Download the guide by clicking this link.

Socially, what does this mean for me?

From today, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have:

• 10-visitor limit in your home
• access to gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities
•  group bookings of up to 20 people in hospitality settings.
•  All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.

The new freedoms for vaccinated people are partitioned according to single vaccination dose and second vaccination dose.

More information on the rules for NSW residents now the state has reached 70% vaccination, can be found by clicking this link.

More information on the rules for NSW residents when the state reaches 80% vaccination, can be found by clicking this link.

As part of our regular stakeholder engagement this month I met with the following associations to catch up on their activities and to discuss upcoming events, such as the Refresh Masterclass Workshop on Tuesday 9 November 2021 and ADX Sydney 17-19 March 2022.

• Nick Williams (Chair) and Mel Pitto - NZDIG (NZ Dental Industry Group - part of MTANZ)
• Bill Suen (CEO) - Dental Hygienists’ Association of Australia
• Di Woolcock (Executive Officer) - Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA)
• Kerstin Baas (CEO) & Miranda Shoppee - Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO)
• David Hallett (CEO) - Australian Dental Association Western Australia Branch (ADAWA)
• Lisa Rusten (CEO) and Madonna McManus - Australian Dental Association Queensland Branch (ADAQ)

On behalf of ADIA I also participated in group online discussions with:

• Hon. Anthony Albanese MP
• The Hon Stuart Robert MP, Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business
• Jeremy Ungar - Israeli Trade Association
• Mike Freelander MP (Chair) - Parliamentary Friends of Dentistry

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australia (EEAA), of which ADIA is a member, held its AGM this month. At this meeting I was appointed a Director. I attended the subsequent EEAA Board meeting.

I will continue to update you on the advocacy work ADIA undertakes on behalf of its members' interests.

Employers to receive wage subsidies

In other news, the Federal Government has pledged to pay half the wages of 100,000 apprentices for the next 12 months.

As part of a $1.2 billion commitment to upskill and reskill Australians into jobs, the Government will pay 50% of the wages of 100,000 new apprentices and trainees in their first year.

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy (BAC) is a 50% wage subsidy that is available to all Australian local business.

The BAC wage subsidy can apply to new apprentices and trainees signed up before (today) 30 September 2021.

The BAC wage subsidy is capped at $7,000 per quarter ($28,000 for the year) and is available until the 100,000 limit is reached.

“ Apprenticeships are an important pathway to get young people into jobs and to ensure there is a skills pipeline to meet the future needs of employers,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, announcing the package.

To be eligible for payments under the Program, your employee must be:

• an Australian citizen; or
• a foreign national with permanent residency status; or
• a New Zealand passport holder who has resided in Australia for at least six months

Other Financial Incentives

As well as the $28000 wage subsidy the State and Federal Governments provide a number of incentives to trainees and employers.

Join special guest host Doris Sant from the Royal Melbourne Hospital at the September Refresh Webinar next Tuesday 21 September at 10:00 AM (AEST).

Click here to register

Key takeaways from Doris's 5 Ways To Wellbeing: Make Them Yours Australia!, session will include:
 
•    Discover how to use the website to achieve personal and collective staff wellbeing.
 
•    Doris will provide an understanding of the 5 Ways To Wellbeing framework, background and key messages. 
 
•    Suggestions on what companies can do to help maintain and improve the wellbeing of their employees.
 
•    Practical examples of how the 5 Ways framework is being used by The Royal Melbourne Hospital and other Australian organisations to support the wellbeing of staff and communities within and beyond COVID-19 and how these ideas could be applied.
 
•    An opportunity for questions to be answered and a list of resources made available.

About The Presenter
Doris Sant has worked in a Mental Health Promotion role with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, full time for past 12 years. Doris has a degree qualification in Youth and Community Development, and a post graduate degree in Health Promotion/ Public Health.  
One of her current projects with the Royal Melbourne Hospital is the ‘Five Ways To Wellbeing Australia’ initiative that grew out of a local Melbourne project with diverse communities in 2012 that has since grown to embrace an Australia-wide participation involving hundreds of community members, professionals, organisations and communities. 

  
Event:                             Refresh Webinar Series
Presentation Topic:       5 Ways To Wellbeing: Make Them Yours Australia!
Start Time:                     10:00 AM (AEST)
Date:                              Tuesday 21st September 2021
Venue:                           Online
Phone Enquiries:          1300 943 094
Email Enquiries:           events@adia.org.au

The Refresh Webinar Series will help you give new strength and energy to your business, through and post COVID-19. Join us for the next instalment in the Refresh Webinar!

NSW EPA seeks ADIA members' feedback

Deadline: Monday Sept 20

A reminder to ADIA members that the deadline for feedback into the review of the NSW Radiation Control Act 1990 is next Monday 20 September.

The consultation process for the review of NSW’s radiation control legislation is being undertaken by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

The EPA developed an Issues Paper as part of the review, in consultation with the Radiation Advisory Council and NSW government agencies.

Click here to read the Issues Paper and to make a submission.

The NSW Government is reviewing the Act to ensure that the objectives are still valid and the terms of the Act are able to secure those objectives.

The Act regulates radioactive substances and equipment in New South Wales, to ensure that radiation is used, stored and disposed of safely.

The EPA has responsibilities under the Act, including issuing licences to manage or use radioactive substances and equipment, and regulating radiation practices in NSW.

If you would like to discuss the review or have any questions, please contact Mr Mark Carey, EPA Principal Policy Officer on 9995 5737 or email radiation.reform@epa.nsw.gov.au